4 Reasons Why Golf is Good for your Mental Health

Golfers choose to play for all different reasons – when I started to learn, I was looking forward to being outside more and getting some exercise while learning something new. What surprised me is how much I started to look forward to getting out on the course, and the benefits I noticed in my mood and stress levels.

Turns out that studies show golf is good for your mental health – both in ways you might expect and some that might surprise you.

1. Golf Can Improve Anxiety and Depression

Studies have shown that physical activity can improve anxiety and depression. Exercise releases endorphins – providing a nearly immediate feel-good effect. Also, physical exerciese and learning a new sport increases confidence. Group sports like golf also provide social interaction, which helps to improve your mood. When I started golfing, I was sometimes struggling with anxiety.

I found that setting aside time to golf each week really helped me to relax, stay present in the moment, and spend my time working on something I enjoyed. It was also great to meet new people and each week I looked forward to returning and practicing more.

2. Golf Supports Social Interaction

Golf is a social sport – playing a round means you’ll be joined by others on the course, whether they are friends you know, or people new to you. At the same time, golf is an activity that can be enjoyed while maintaining social distancing practices that have been recommended during the COVID pandemic.

I began golfing during COVID – it was a way to get away from my home office, get outside, and do something that wasn’t in front of a screen. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that the others in my beginner’s clinic were there for similar reasons, and easy to get to know. As the weeks went on, it was nice to have a group of fellow beginners to meet up with at the clinic, and my first rounds of golf were alongside members of this same group.

I definitely felt the benefits of the social interaction of golf, and researchers have also found that golf has had a positive benefit on social interaction and mental health during the COVID pandemic.

3. Golf Reduces Stress

Exercise is a natural stress reliever, and combine that physical activity with being outdoors and increasing social interactions, and the combination is even more powerful. Some golfers may suggest that a tough shot or poor game may contribute to stress – but the overall experience of being out on the course, playing a round, and building your skill has been shown to have a long-term effect of reducing stress.

Studies show that playing a few hours of golf reduces cortisol, which is a hormone that raises blood pressure. Golf has the effect of helping your body to relax and recover from the daily stressors of life.

4. Golf Strengthens Focus and Concentration

Golf is a complex game, and requires golfers to focus on the choices they make and concentrate on their overall strategy. By centering attention on the game and sharpening concentration, golfers are giving their brain a workout, too. Even as a beginner golfer, I found a session at the driving range to be a zen-like experience. Not much to do but focus on where to place the ball, what club to choose, line up my swing, and just make contact.

I felt like I was switching off the busy, anxious part of my brain, and really dropped into being present. Learning a new sport and making a committed effort to improve had a significant impact on my own mental health. Building focus and concentration also supports cognitive function, and golf has even been linked to a positive effect in supporting adults with memory loss.

Bottom Line: Golf is Good for Your Mental Health

Focusing on ways we can support our mental health is key. While there are many strategies you can take to prioritize your mental health, if you’re interested in golf, it’s good to know that it’s a great way to aim for that goal.

As an activity that gives you some physical activity, time outside in the fresh air, opportunity to spend time with friends or make new ones, and give your brain a boost, golf offers so many benefits beyond what you might expect.

Are you a seasoned golfer who has experienced this for yourself? What’s the biggest benefit you’ve seen from golfing? If you’re new to golf, or interested in trying it out, check out my post on how to get started, or leave your questions in the comments below.