| To live a long and healthy life people need some | | | | in telling you that. |
| form of exercise, preferably something they | | | | Unless you are severely disabled, almost |
| enjoy. Whether you choose to believe it or not, | | | | everyone can get on a walking exercise program. |
| the game of golf is actually good for your health, | | | | That is where golf comes in. I know there are |
| providing you forego the golf carts, and walk. To | | | | people who play at least 18 holes of golf every |
| walk nine holes of golf, the distance you will walk | | | | day, riding in a cart, all the way, only getting out |
| will be around two and a half miles. | | | | to hit their shots. If they only walked, instead, |
| I started playing golf 49 years ago, when I was | | | | they would cut the risk of disease, and live a |
| 13 years old. I was laughed at by those that did | | | | healthier life. Of course, their reason for playing |
| not realize how much fun golf was to play. In | | | | golf is not exercise. |
| those days, the only reason to take a golf cart | | | | This article is about the game of golf being a |
| was if you had to finish quickly, and no one was | | | | good exercise program for you. My parents took |
| on the course. Today golf is still seen more as a | | | | up golf after my dad retired, and they played 18 |
| picnic in the park. | | | | holes about five times a week. They walked all |
| The debate about whether golfers are even | | | | the way, and took plenty of water with them. It |
| athletes still goes on. For the normal person who | | | | made them feel better, gave them more energy, |
| is just looking for a fun way to exercise, it does | | | | and a more positive outlook. |
| not matter if golf is a sport or not. Golf is a way | | | | It takes longer to play a round of golf, but it is |
| to meet people, get in some exercise, get your | | | | much more enjoyable than going out for a three |
| heart pumping, breathe some fresh air, and get | | | | mile walk by yourself. Another benefit of playing |
| out in the sunlight. | | | | golf for exercise, is if you play a golf course with |
| There are two types of golfers, those who are | | | | lots of trees, you have the added beauty, and |
| competitive, who want to get better, who like to | | | | the fragrant smelling air to cheer you up. Laughter |
| play in tournaments, and those who like to play | | | | is still the best medicine, and any reason to smile |
| for exercise and the enjoyment of being on a | | | | is a health benefit to you. |
| nice golf course. Sometimes the competitive | | | | If you are thinking of taking up golf, but you are |
| golfers wish that the other golfers did not exist. I | | | | not sure if you can walk the whole course, then |
| will admit that slow play is a detriment to a round | | | | start a walking program to build up your muscles |
| of golf, and it would be nice if everyone that took | | | | and endurance. If you have been playing golf, and |
| up golf would learn the rules of the game, and | | | | you always use a golf cart, then start parking |
| had proper etiquette. | | | | farther away, and walking more to your ball. |
| Walking has been found to be one of the best | | | | Usually there are two of you riding in a cart. Take |
| forms of exercise. There are studies showing that | | | | turns riding one hole, and then walking one hole. |
| anyone who walks at least 25 miles every week, | | | | Get into the habit of walking more. Change your |
| will cut their risk of dying in half. Watch a golf | | | | mindset that walking is good for your health. Do |
| tournament on TV and you see ads for | | | | you need to lose weight? Walking will help you do |
| prescription medicines for erectile dysfunction, and | | | | that. Do you want to play better golf? Being in |
| lowering cholesterol, and others. You would be | | | | better shape will help you. |
| better off walking around 3 miles a day, than | | | | Golf can be a very fun and healthy exercise. |
| taking the pills, but there is no money to be made | | | | Take time to enjoy it. |