Golf prolongs life

[mx320]

Golf can be a good investment for the health, according to a new study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. The death rate for golfers is 40 per cent lower than for other people of the same sex, age and socioeconomic status, which correspond to a 5 year increase in life expectancy. Golfers with a low handicap are the safest.

It is a well-known fact that exercise is good for the health, but the expected health gains of particular activities are still largely unknown. A team of researchers from Karolinska Institutet has now presented a study of the health effects of golf – a low-intensity form of exercise in which over 600,000 Swedes engage.

The study, which is published in Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, is based on data from 300,000 Swedish golfers and shows that golf has beneficial health effects. The death rate amongst golfers is 40 per cent lower than the rest of the population, which equates to an increased life expectancy of five years.

Professor Anders Ahlbom, who has led the study with Bahman Farahmand is not surprised at the result, as he believes that there are several aspects of the game that are proved to be good for the health.

"A round of golf means being outside for four or five hours, walking at a fast pace for six to seven kilometres, something which is known to be good for the health," he says. "People play golf into old age, and there are also positive social and psychological aspects to the game that can be of help."

The study does not rule out that other factors than the actual playing, such as a generally healthy lifestyle, are also behind the lower death rate observed amongst golfers. However, the researchers believe it is likely that the playing of the game in itself has a significant impact on health.

Golf players have a lower death rate regardless of sex, age and social group. The effect is greater for golfers from blue-collar professions than for those from white-collar professions. The lowest rates are found in the group of players with the lowest handicap (i.e. the best golfers).

"Maintaining a low handicap involves playing a lot, so this supports the idea that it is largely the game itself that is good for the health," says Professor Ahlbom.

Source: Karolinska Institutet

[JOE]

According to a 1993 National Geographic article, golf was the deadliest sport in the US, due to lightning strikes.

My how times have changed. I guess lightning strikes are down, the number of people golfing is down, or both.

[ty729]

Chasing around a little white ball in 100 degree hit will ****in' kill ya!

Actually there are a few people that frequent this forum that like to chase around little white balls and it has nothing to do with golf!

[MX154]

HummerMike is a bad ass at golf. Me? I like to flirt with the cart girls and get as hammered as possible by the ninth hole.

[mxtx45]

Good Man! Hell Yah. There are actual idiots who play here all summer long! Nothing like playing when it's 118 outside. But green fee's are really cheap in August.

[JOE]

HummerMike is a bad ass at golf. Me? I like to flirt with the cart girls and get as hammered as possible by the ninth hole.

Can't wait for the 19th hole, huh?

[PU300]

I heard he carries the 19th hole around in his pants!!

[mx320]

I would love to learn how to golf. I have clubs, we got to the range, but I really want to play at a course and learn the dynamics of it all. It's great exercise!

[himom819]

if any of yal are in the mesquite area and play golf, suniga110 runs the clubhouse at mesquite golf course off of I30 and northwest. he will hook it up probably if you send him a pm and plan to go play.

[Blue573]

One of my instructors just broke her arm and wrist falling out of a golf cart on the course.

[mx320]

One of my instructors just broke her arm and wrist falling out of a golf cart on the course.

ugh, wtf? guess she should have stayed away from the beer cart!

[mxtx45]

One of my instructors just broke her arm and wrist falling out of a golf cart on the course.

ugh, wtf? guess she should have stayed away from the beer cart!

Are you sure she didn't break it falling from the pole and hitting the stage?

[Blue573]

Very sure, she's more nortic looking then mickey.

[mxtx45]

nassssssssssssssssty! does she have hash marks in her drawers like Mickey too?

[The_VIKING]

**** you BLue & Tank!!


Golf is good for you...quite a bit of fun too! I may have to hit up suniga110...not far from that course!