Playing golf helps to avoid premature death says American Heart Association

Playing golf at least once a month can significantly reduce the chances of premature death, according to The American Heart Association.

The AHA is one of the world's most reliable sources of information on cardiovascular disease and they found that golf particularly benefits the health of older adults.

Research revealed at its International Stroke Conference showed that golf can help people to overcome unhealthy lifestyle habits that they may have picked up during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Researchers from the University of Missouri, Columbia used data from the Cardiovascular Health Study that used 5,900 participants with an average age of 72.

In this group, 400 regular golfers were identified and during the decade-long follow-up period, death rates were significantly lower for golfers than for non-golfers.

Related: Justin Thomas responds as Jordan Spieth's name is read out wrong at RBC Heritage

The AHA stated that golf provides great physical benefits such as a reduction in stress and regular exercise. This is because of the slow pace of play and people of most ages can play the sport.

"The regular exercise, time spent outside enjoying nature, social interaction and even the friendly competition of a round of golf are all elements that can foster mental and physical wellbeing," said Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., Sc.M., FAHA, president of the AHA.

"The past couple of years have been hard and many of us have picked up some unhealthy lifestyle behaviours such as more eating and less physical activity, and we’ve missed the company of friends and family.

"I think golfing can offer a great opportunity to start venturing back out into an enjoyable activity that can feed our hearts and our souls."

The AHA also advised that golfers should warm up before their round and they should drink plenty of water to ensure they don't get overheated.

Next Page: How much did Jordan Spieth and others win at the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour?