5 Mental Health Benefits of Golf

Golf is good for you — in more ways than one. We’ve already touched on golf’s physical benefits and its social benefits, but you may be surprised to know that it provides mental health benefits too. Ready to gain more clarity and calm for your brain? Read on to discover five ways golf improves your mental health.

Alleviates anxiety

At least 42% of people in the U.S. have a vitamin D deficiency, which is an affliction that triggers feelings of anxiety and unhappiness. To alleviate it, spend time outside on the golf course to expose your skin to sunlight. Sunlight helps your body absorb Vitamin D, helping to get a good dose into your system. Moreover, if you play golf often enough, your game will improve. And when your game improves, your self-confidence improves too, which also helps to alleviate feelings of anxiety. 

Delivers dopamine

We generate the pleasure-inducing dopamine hormone from golf in two ways – from the sport’s social interaction and from its intermittent rewards. Most golfers hit just two or three outstanding shots per round, and they’re never guaranteed. But when they happen, the action hits our reward system with a surge of pleasure from a dopamine release. It’s happily addictive and keeps us returning to play even more golf. 

Emits endorphins

A typical round of golf equates to about four hours of exercise, especially if you play 18 holes. Playing gives you plenty of time to elevate your heart rate and release endorphins, our “feel-good” hormones. When your body releases endorphins, it helps relieve pain, improves your sense of well-being, and boosts your mood.

Subtracts stress

Towards the end of 2020, the Golf Travel Centre studied how golf impacts mental health. The results were staggering. A whopping 98% of those surveyed stated that playing golf helped relieve stress and improve their mental health. Much of it is due to being in green space and in contact with nature, which allows your body to manage stress more efficiently.

Diminishes depression

If you’re feeling down, play a round of golf. Hitting a golf ball across carefully manicured acres of grass, woods, water, and sand is a pleasure to the senses. What’s more, golf requires focused attention. Playing requires that you disconnect from your worries and concentrate on hitting your target. As a result, golf provides a few hours of therapeutic mental and emotional distraction by removing depressive thoughts, psychological distress, and unnecessary fears. It’s simply a fun way to help you forget about your problems, relax, and feel happier.

Why not try it out and experience the mental health benefits of playing golf for yourself? Don’t wait – book a tee time at Harbor Club golf course today. Your body and brain will thank you.