Golf as exercise

The answer is B -- walk the course when you play rather than drive a golf cart, according to a group of Finnish researchers.

A study published in the American Journal of Medicine looked at 55 golfers between 48 and 64 years of age, who walked 18 holes two or three times a week for five months, instead of riding the cart. Researchers reported that the golfers increased their aerobic endurance, lost an average of three pounds more than a control group who used golf carts, had lower body fat and had higher levels of HDL, the good cholesterol.

In addition, walking the golf course may help prevent general weakness and reduce the likelihood of falls and fractures off the course, reported one of the study's authors. He also noted that the results of the study were short-term and could not predict risk of long-term disease.

Whether you golf or not, walking is a good form of exercise if you walk fast enough, long enough and often enough. To realize modest health benefits, walk 3.5 miles per hour for thirty minutes at least three times a week. Walking at a faster pace that increases your heart rate can provide even more benefit.

So there you have it, golfers, another excuse to hit the links. Happy golfing and happy walking.

Resources:

Read an abstract of this study in the August 2000 issue (vol. 109, issue 102) of the American Journal of Medicine.