Golf

This increasingly popular sport is actually a powerhouse of all the core ingredients that doctors recommend for optimum physical and mental health and wellbeing. Here's five reason how…

It's better than a fast and furious gym session
Golf burns more calories than you'd think: playing an 18-hole game of golf burns at least 900 calories. Golf also combines all the known weight-loss benefits of walking combined with the toning and muscle strengthening benefits of swinging the clubs and carrying or pulling your golf bag. During the average game of golf you can walk around five to six miles.

It brings people closer together
Golf is a great way to meet new people – especially if you have recently moved into a new area or town or are travelling abroad. Wherever there's a golf course, a host of rewarding new friendships awaits you.

It helps combat stress
"Golf really does tick all the boxes for things you need for optimal wellbeing," says psychologist and coach Miriam Akhtar from www.positivepsychologytraining.co.uk . "It offers some important feel-good factors, such as an active social life and regular physical activity of the best kind – what we call 'green exercise' outside in nature."

It's good for your heart
Golf's powerful combination of stress-busting exercise, fresh air and camaraderie can help promote long term heart health. It can reduce blood pressure and raised cholesterol and cut your risk of stroke and diabetes - especially if combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

It can help you live longer
Golf's unique combination of outdoor exercise and social interaction can help you live a longer, healthier life. Playing golf can help you live longer – and make those extra years healthier.