Does Golf keep me fit?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Patricia Christine Sutton on May 4, 2009 at 14:37

Sarah, That is very interesting about the mandatory carts in the US. It is something that you wouldn't think of. We have some great courses around Coventry but they all look really expensive. I supose I'll have to make some phone calls unless someone knows anything?

Sarah Christensen said:

Well, there are some qualifiers. IF you walk the course, like in most of Europe, you are getting some cardio exercise - and in beautiful scenery to boot! Alas, in much of the US, to speed up play and get more people through a round, carts are mandatory.

Golf can be expensive if you join a private course.
There are MANY public facilities that are beautiful and have lower fees, especially at off hours.

Permalink Reply by Helen Wilkes on May 4, 2009 at 18:29

Patricia, Golf is good for you it is a game that can burn up to 1000 calories by the swinging of your club and bending down to place or pick up your ball is great for flexibility. The walking improves your lung capacity and your blood flow when playing, your heart rate pumps at between 90 and 120 beats per minute making a low intensity workout perfect for gently burning off fat.

Playing golf also releases natural mood enhancing endorphins from the feel good factor of being outside in the fresh air enjoying a round of golf with your friends and colleagues. It also offers a mental challenge as you are always thinking about which club to use, counting shots or working out your score.

Yes some great courses in Coventry which you can pay and play at to see if you like the game keeping the cost down, however a course of lessons is the first step, happy to chat through with you how I can help you get into the game as that what we do and have a beginners course starting on the 13th May where you can also meet and mix with like minded women also wanting to learn the game?

Permalink Reply by Patricia Christine Sutton on May 4, 2009 at 19:00

Sarah, the beginners course sounds a great idea but Wednesday's are very difficult as I am usually in court, (JP work), on a Wednesday. Have you got anything else coming up; it would have to be for a total beginner?

Helen Wilkes said:

Patricia, Golf is good for you it is a game that can burn up to 1000 calories by the swinging of your club and bending down to place or pick up your ball is great for flexibility. The walking improves your lung capacity and your blood flow when playing, your heart rate pumps at between 90 and 120 beats per minute making a low intensity workout perfect for gently burning off fat.

Playing golf also releases natural mood enhancing endorphins from the feel good factor of being outside in the fresh air enjoying a round of golf with your friends and colleagues. It also offers a mental challenge as you are always thinking about which club to use, counting shots or working out your score.

Yes some great courses in Coventry which you can pay and play at to see if you like the game keeping the cost down, however a course of lessons is the first step, happy to chat through with you how I can help you get into the game as that what we do and have a beginners course starting on the 13th May where you can also meet and mix with like minded women also wanting to learn the game?

Permalink Reply by Diane Fisher on May 5, 2009 at 6:18

Hi Pat, golf is fairly expensive however whether your playing golf or just trying to reduce your weight, try buying a pedometer and walking 10,000 steps a day (equivalent to 3 miles). These are health based guide lines, if you are playing golf and enjoy it then obviously 10,000 steps will be easily achieved - but ideally this number of steps should be walked each day.

Kind regards
Di Fisher

Permalink Reply by Caroline Smith on May 31, 2009 at 10:26

I've played golf for about 15 years now and yes the exercise is good but you really need to play a couple of times a week for it to have any real effect. My hot tip for keeping the weight down is to get a dog. I walk at least an hour and a half a day with my 2 labradors and managed to stay the size I am and not worry about what I eat. And you can't get out of it as even if you don't feel like walking they will give you those sad eyes until you take them out!

As for the club fees they are mostly quite expensive ranging from around £700 to over £1000 a year. Most clubs in the past have also charged a joining fee of a years membership although a lot have now waived this as times get harder and they struggle for members. I would suggest as a beginner that you just pay and play at places like Ansty or Stoneleigh and join Helen's group and have lessons or go and play nine holes with them each month as it's a good sociable way of getting into golf. Joining a club as a new member if you're not a golfer can be very intimidating. Men at golf clubs can be a pain but my experience is that lady members can be even worse.