Jane Riley special to The Garden Island Golf has sometimes been criticized as a lazy man’s sport. There must be something to it though, as the big bucks go to some of the world’s best players. There’s no running, throwing,
Jane Riley
special to The Garden Island
Golf has sometimes been criticized as a lazy man’s sport. There must be something to it though, as the big bucks go to some of the world’s best players. There’s no running, throwing, catching or physical contact with any another person, but playing a round of golf is actually very good exercise, especially if you walk the course. Playing 18 holes of golf is approximately equivalent to walking about four or so miles, and as most golf courses are quite varied in topography, the inclines and declines on that walk can add bonus effort and health benefits.
Walking is a favored low-impact aerobic activity that is great cardiovascular exercise. Because it is low-impact, jarring of the knees and feet is less of an issue, so it can be continued more often and more consistently than other higher-impact activities. For those golfers who golf without a caddy, carrying the clubs adds greater cardiovascular effort and also adds some strength training to the pursuit.
Playing a round of golf has about the same health benefits as completing a 45-minute circuit fitness class. The estimates are that walking the course and carrying your clubs will burn more than 400 calories, while walking the course and pulling a cart will burn more than 300 calories.
Swinging the clubs also helps tone the upper body while improving flexibility and range of motion of the upper body as well. For older players, golf helps maintain balance and eye-hand coordination while providing a social outing in a low-impact, active way. Being outdoors in the fresh air is not to be discounted as a health benefit either. As long as you don’t get too caught up in the score, you can relax and have golf as one of your ways to unwind and have fun with friends.
To avoid injury, always warm up by doing light stretches throughout the upper body. The best way to warm up for any activity is to go through the range of motion gently, so practice some gentle swings. Take some lessons; it never hurts to get some expert advice and do it right. Always wear the proper shoes and have good equipment. Also, because it is an outdoor pursuit, especially here, wear sunscreen and make sure you stay hydrated. Water with some electrolytes is the preferred hydrator. (No, I don’t know how many electrolytes are in beer).
One of the ways you can benefit others while having fun and staying fit is to come out to the Mokihana Golf Scramble April 22 at Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course. This scramble is the major way of raising money for nursing scholarships for the oldest women’s club on the island. Historically, the Mokihana Club has given out between $8,000 and $12,000 annually for nursing students at Kaua‘i Community College, depending on this event as a fundraiser.
It’s definitely a win-win.
Want to go?
What: 10th Annual Mokihana Golf Scramble
When: April 22. Registration is at 7:15 a.m.; tee time at 8 a.m.
Where: Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course
Cost: Entry fee is $95 and includes green fee, prizes and a luncheon. Proceeds to benefit student nursing scholarships at Kaua‘i Community College. Cost of luncheon is $20.
Reservations: Call Patti at 332-5652 or Lil at 639-3480. For reservations for the luncheon, call Gini at 822-3348.
• Jane Riley, certified personal trainer, B.A., C.P.T, C.N.A., can be reached at 212-1451 or www.janerileyfitness.com.
