How to Improve Your Health – Play Golf

May 31st, 2009
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If you are looking for a sport that can be very healthy, you should explore playing golf. It can be good for both your physical and mental health. It can get you out into the fresh air to commune with nature and, presuming that you do quite a bit of walking, get your blood pumping with a little exercise.

There are many organizations and doctors that will tell you golf is good for your health. One of the first to push this information is the United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A.)www.usga.org. They will suggest that to get the most out of the outing, you should walk as much as possible instead of riding in the cart.

It may be little more convenient to ride between holes but, the walk will do you good. This will improve the circulation, get the heart rate up and stimulate some deep breathing, all of which will improve your well being.

Some of the proponents of walking include David Fay of the U.S.G.A., cardiologist Edward Palank, the Golf Science International, and the Northern Ohio Golf Association.

Mr Fay thinks that by walking the course, you are able to experience the most enjoyable part of the game.

Walking, as a form of exercise, is something that the American public is getting away from. It is a very simple task that can help keep us limber and active for many years. That is, if we take advantage of the effort.

Researchers conducting a study in Sweden have discovered that walking through the course during a game of golf is as 40 to 70% as intense a workout as an aerobics class. That is if one were to play all eighteen holes.

In another study, Edward Palank found that golfers who walked enjoyed better health due to a decreased level of bad cholesterol. At the same time, their good cholesterol remained steady. On the other hand, golfers that decided to ride the course in a cart did not show the positive results in their health condition.

Additionally, information released by Golf Science International indicates that 4 hours of golf created the equivalent activity to that of completing a forty five minute fitness class.

The Northern Ohio Golf Association, noted that the distance a golfer walks during the course of an 18 hold game, it is approximately that of three to four miles. That is considering the activities of wandering around hills, across greens and to the tees.

If I have not convinced you yet, you should try it for yourself. Play a full 18 holes and walk the entire distance rather than riding. At the end, consider how much of a difference you feel.

In these days of laziness, we should be looking for ways to easily improve our mental and physical health. One easy to accomplish this is to play golf without riding in the cart. Get out and walk a full 18 holes of golf and you will know that you have gotten a good bit of exercise.

For more information on living and loving life, visit Happiness Is A Choice You can also visit http://happynessisachoice.com to find How to live a happy life.

For information on battery powered golf carts that enable walking, visit http://golfwalktrolleys.com

bob holland Blog

Golf as a “preventive healthcare measure”

April 17th, 2009
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‘Golf, As a Preventive Healthcare Measure’

According to Golf Science International, in a study conducted for the American Heart Association “Golf is unique in the way it motivates individuals to walk a fairly long distance on a regular basis.”

A typical 18 hole golf course when walked is the equivalent of just about a 5 mile walk. Unfortunately golf riding carts are self defeating as it relates to golf and cardiovascular health.  If a golfer is transported by riding cart they miss the opportunity to get good healthy exercise (walking) while doing something they enjoy.

What prevents most riding golfers from walking is the labor associated with carrying a golf bag with as many as 14 golf clubs, various accessories and extra golf balls.  The option of a manually operated golf pull cart or golf push cart does not truly offer enough of a relief to be a viable option that would encourage these riding golfers (who are especially in need of exercise) to walk while playing.

Better Performance and Scores. Every golfer knows the most important thing to conquer in golf is the golf swing. There are many, many wonderful high-tech devices a golfer could add to his or her golf gear to aid in their golf swing. Yet the most influential of equipment that determines how well one scores and plays the game is the body itself. A physically fit well conditioned person will perform better athletically than one who is not.

We watch well conditioned world class golfers play in big prize money PGA Tournaments on television and fail to make the connection that they are in extremely good physical condition and are playing so well while walking the course without having to carry, pull or push their golf clubs.

About 10 years ago Golf Digest Magazine launched “Links for Life,” a nationwide campaign to reduce the number of deaths by sudden cardiac arrest on the golf course-and off. The focus of the initiative was a call for golf facilities to put in place an effective “First Responder” strategy for dealing with on-course health emergencies.

Another aspect highlighted by the American Heart Association www.americanheart.org  was suggested taking a more pre-emptive approach. Although sudden cardiac arrest often has no warning signs at all, the fact remains that many forms of heart disease can be prevented.

What’s does this have to do with golf? According to an article by Scot Smith published in the Feb 20, 2000 issue of Golf Digest Magazine  www.golfdigest.com called ‘Walk To Your Heart’s Content – A step by step plan  to keep your ticker ticking’, study after study has documented the benefit that aerobic activity provides in lowering blood pressure, improving cholesterol profiles and decreasing the risk of heart disease.  Yet golf courses and clubs have become less friendly to the golfer who wants and needs to walk. In fact some courses ban walking while playing altogether.

“Preventive healthcare measures” are words that are prominent in today’s lexicon. No one argues against the virtues of preventive measures like changing one’s lifestyle for healthier living but it is difficult to see evidence of services or products that actively support this prevention philosophy.

Most courses offer riding carts providing the golfer with a service offering (cart rental) and the course operator or pro shop a revenue stream. But there is little help for the golfer who needs and wants to walk in this equation.

Because of new tooling, alloy materials, electronic control devices and advanced battery technology it is now very practical to offer the option of a battery powered remote controlled golf trolleys/carts (walking) or motor caddies. This way the golfer can play the game walking as it was intended and get the cardiovascular stimulation and exercise that is inherent in a round of golf if played while walking.

It is myth to assume walking the golf course doesn’t “count” as exercise.  Samuel Clemens called golf “a good walk spoiled”; but it remains a good walk nonetheless.

Written By Robert Holland, President

Golf Walk Trolleys, LLC

www.golfwalktrolleys.com

 

 

 

 

 

bob holland Blog

A Healthy Fathers’ Day Gift, by Tate Rutledge

April 17th, 2009
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A Healthy Fathers’ Day Gift, by Tate Rutledge 

“In 1909, Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Spokane Washington, first proposed the idea of a “father’s day”. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise all his children alone on a rural farm in eastern Washington state.”

—– Father’s Day History, By Denise Witmer, About.com

 

Over subsequent years the celebration of fatherhood was about to disappear as many people mocked the celebration saying that it was just a thought up excuse by retailers to create more holidays on the calendar. They made fun of it and even predicted that someday there will be a holiday called “National Clean Your Own Desk Day”.

Despite the mockery and criticisms, the Fathers’ Day celebration has survived and generations have continued to honor fathers for their fatherhood and parenting.   Today most countries around the world celebrate fathers’ day on the third Sunday of the month of June. This year, the fathers’ day celebration falls on June 21, 2009.

Although the fathers’ day celebration does not necessarily oblige children to give fathers’ day gifts, it has become a tradition (though less celebrated than Mother’s Day) to present gifts that symbolize that children love and honor their fathers.

One fine example of a Father’s day gift for the dad that plays golf would be battery powered golf (walking) carts or trolleys that are motor driven, battery powered, and  remote controlled. We are not talking about “riding carts” here. Golf while walking is also good for your dad’s health. Several studies have shown that walking while playing golf can improve health.  The walking part in a round of golfing is what helps improve health.

It is not pulling or pushing of the cart nor carrying the golf bag that improves a golfer’s health but the walking. Many cardiologists acknowledge (and even recommend) battery powered carts (aka motorcaddies & golf walking trolleys).

Even though they can be a bit pricey they are well worth the investment because they can contribute to the health of the golfer you love. The remote controlled power golf trolley relieves dad from the labor of carrying golf clubs on his back, or pushing or pulling a cart to transport his golfing equipment.  This saves his energy so that he can use his strength and power for his winning swing. Admirers of Tiger Woods and golf enthusiasts will love this gift idea.

 

 

 

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