Golf is a popular sport played by millions of people at courses all over the world. There are several highly prestigious televised competitions each year, and many top golfers become household names to rival those of any other sport in the world.
For all this, those who don’t watch or play the game themselves can often misunderstand what it is that golf is really all about. Here we will take a proper look at this champion of sports to see just why people play golf, and whether you perhaps should too.
What is golf all about? Does it live up to the hype?
The fundamentals of golf are fairly obvious – you go around the course starting at Hole 1, hitting the ball with your club until you get it in the hole. You then move on to the next one, and so on. There is of course far more to it than that, and golf is actually a pretty complicated and tricky game to learn how to play. It is far more difficult to master it entirely, and the endeavour can easily take you years.
Then again, you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy playing golf. You can enjoy golf just as well playing a friendly game with family or colleagues, trying to get the best score you can for your own sense of satisfaction, or even not keeping score at all.
When you go golfing you aren’t just heading to a gym or court to do some sport, you are heading to absolutely gorgeous courses, some of which boast spectacular views of everything from beaches and the sea to mountains and rivers for you to take in as you play.
Golf can be enjoyed as a solitary pursuit, but is also a highly social game, and the entire experience of teeing off through to relaxing with a celebratory or commiserating meal or drink in the clubhouse makes it a great way to get out of the house and spend a fantastic day.
All in all, while it may be a hard sport to become proficient in, golf certainly lives up to the hype. It is a physical and mental game that can be competitive and challenging, but can also be relaxing and just plain fun. Whatever you are looking for in your next sport, give golf a go and you won’t be sorry you did.
What type of sport is golf?
Golf is a club-and-ball sport, and is unusual in comparison with so many other sports out there in that it is not played on a specifically sized surface or area. Golf is played out on hugely varied holes and courses all over the world, and part of the challenge of this sport is to be able to adapt to each different layout.
It is a cross-country sport where a great deal of space is traversed, and you can play 9- or 18-hole courses as you attempt to use the least number of swings possible to complete the game. It is considered more of an individual sport than a team game, and the competition for top ranking is fierce.
Is golf a good exercise?
When you think about good exercise, you may first think of swimming, running and other more gym-based activities, but golf is actually a fantastic way to stay healthy and fit. The exact amount of walking may vary depending on whether you take a cart or not, but you will certainly do some exercise as you play, and there are a number of other health benefits to golf as well:
- Physical exercise – the act of carrying your bag will increase your strength, while walking the links on a full 18-hole course could easily see you getting your steps in for the day in one go. Even if you do take a cart, you will still do plenty of walking as you go to your ball after each swing, and it all adds up to good exercise.
- Being outdoors – while you are playing golf, you are out on your feet breathing in the fresh air instead of being sat at home. The very fact of being out and about is great for your mental health as well as your body, and the views around you can certainly add to that feeling too.
- It is good for all ages – as you get older, you may lose your balance more easily and find that vigorous exercise is no longer particularly doable. Golf can be played by pretty much anyone of any age, and the act of playing can strengthen core muscles and help you find your balance again.
- Taking in the sunshine – a healthy amount of vitamin D is needed for all kinds of reasons, including boosting mental health and reducing stress, and regulating your calcium and phosphates which aid in keeping your teeth, bones and muscles strong.
For all these reasons and more, golf is not only a fun and consuming game, but also great for your mind and body. Yet another reason to give it a go for yourself.
Do women play golf?
One of the best things about golf is that it can be played by pretty much anyone aged 2 to 92 and of any gender. Women have been turning out in greater and greater numbers to engage in the sport, and this trend is only likely to continue.
Golf is a game where men and women can play each other and compete on an even field, and the days when golf was considered a gentlemen-only game have more or less passed. You can find golf sets for men and women at all good stores, and many courses will actively have tournaments for women as well as ranking them alongside men.
How hard it is to get a ‘hole in one’ in golf?
Getting a hole-in-one is the dream for all golfers, professional and amateur alike. While it is certainly not impossible, and indeed most people know a friend or someone that did at some point achieve this greatest of moments, the likelihood is low enough that is definitely worth celebrating.
Indeed, at many golf clubs if you do get a hole in one it is customary to then buy a drink for everyone in the clubhouse. This can feel like an expensive undertaking that may have you regretting your victory, but the adrenaline and joy from hitting this milestone makes it all worth it.
Getting a hole-in-one has such an allure to it that it is a joy not only to the golfer who achieves it, but to everyone else as well. One of the great things about golf is that while it is indeed competitive, you can truly appreciate your fellow golfers’ best shots, including the elusive hole-in-one.
Conclusion
Golf is a fantastic club-and-ball sport that can be played by pretty much anyone, and enjoyed by those who love physical and mental challenges, competition, and a relaxing stroll in gorgeous scenery all at once.
If you are looking for a new kind of exercise that gets you out of the house, and that you could well be playing into your 90s for men and women, golf could well be the ideal new sport for you.