Playing golf once a month lowers a person's risk of death

New study proves regular golf helps lower the risk of death in older adults.

Andy Roberts's picture
Wed, 12 Feb 2020
Playing golf once a month lowers a person's risk of death

Playing a round of golf at least once a month - or preferably weekly if you can - will lower your risk of early death, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Missouri. 

The research, which was presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2020, found any general activity that keeps adults active and socialising on a monthly or weekly basis is enough to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. 

The study analysed 10 years of data featuring 5,900 American golfers over the age of 65 between 1989 and 1999, all of whom visited a clinic every six months.

Results highlighted 8.1% of the 384 golfers (who played at least once a month) had strokes over the 10-year period, compared to 15.1% of the non-golfers.

It also revealed that 9.8% of the golfers had heart attacks, compared to 24.6% of the non-golfers. 

RELATED: NEW STUDY PROVES PLAYING MORE GOLF IS JUST SO MUCH BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH

The results, according to those conducting the study, proved "significant", but significant in a way that golf is typically a sport that attracts wealthy people who tend to have better healthcare and lower risks of strokes and heart attacks as a result. 

Despite more than approximately 25 million Americans playing golf right now, and the opportunity for regular exercise that our sport promotes, the US Department of Health still does not consider golf to be worthy enough of a place on the government's list of sports that qualify as legitimate ways to work out.

Surely it will only be a matter of time until that changes, especially after this latest study? 

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