Does golf keep you fit?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 18, 2026
Golf can be good for your health and your heart. Walking an average course for a round of golf can be between five to seven kilometres. If you walk 18 holes three to five times a week, you'll get an optimal amount of endurance exercise for your heart.
Can you lose weight by playing golf?
Golf can absolutely help you lose weight. Walking an 18-hole golf course in four hours can burn up to 800 calories, or even more if the terrain is hilly and if you are carrying your golf clubs in a carry bag.
Is golf good for your physical health?
Playing golf is good for your heart
So, golf exercises your heart and keeps your heart rate up. This will naturally lower your risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular issues, as well as potentially lowering your levels of 'bad' cholesterol. Regularly playing golf may even lead to an increase in life expectancy.
Does golf work any muscles?
On the right side, the most active muscles are the pectoralis major (64% MMT) and upper serratus (58% MMT). The most active muscle during the forward swing phase in the lower body are the upper and lower gluteus maximus (100% MMT and 98% MM) on the right side along with the biceps femoris (78% MMT).
Does golf count as moderate exercise?
A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine states that golf provides moderate-intensity physical activity that is recommended for people of all ages and genders for the physical and mental health benefits it offers.
22 related questions foundIs 18 holes of golf good exercise?
The World Golf Foundation estimates that golfers who walk an 18-hole course clock about 5 miles and burn up to 2,000 calories. But here's the rub: About two-thirds of golf in the U.S. is played in motorized carts. Some resorts and private courses even restrict walking and require carts.
Is golf good exercise with a cart?
The simple answer is yes, you will burn roughly 1,400 to 1,600 calories during a round of golf if you walk. If you use a cart you will burn roughly 800 to 900. While this will not make you super fit and slim it is certainly better than no exercise.
Does golf tone your arms?
If you think that Golf is a low-impact, leisurely sport then you are mistaken. This game is great for your upper body, including your arms and back. The act of hitting the ball with a golf club has a strong impact on your core and arms muscles.
What muscles need to be strong for golf?
The back, neck, shoulder, core and hip muscles are all pivotal in creating a powerful golf swing. How you use these muscles dictates your power and accuracy and could be the difference between a birdie and bogey. With that in mind, here are 5 exercises to improve your golf swing power.
Does golf swing build muscle?
Some people think golf is a leisurely activity, but it offers a great all-around body workout. A properly, or even improperly, performed golf swing works muscles in the upper and lower body.
Is golf a rich person sport?
Because golf is considered a 'rich man's sport' owing to the high cost, it has a reputation as a premium sport. Golf courses can cost as much as $500 a round, depending on the course.
Is golf hard on your body?
Although golf is a low-impact sport, it's associated with several injuries. Many golfing-related injuries are a result of poor mechanics or overuse. The most commonly injured area is the lower back. Other injured areas can include the elbow, wrist and hand, and shoulder.
What are the cons of golf?
Disadvantages of Golf
- Playing golf can be expensive.
- Not easy to learn.
- Takes a lot of practice.
- Golf is not a team sport.
- Playing golf can be time-consuming.
- You may give up early.
- Plenty of equipment is needed.
- Playing golf requires some talent.
Does golf really burn calories?
The average person burns 350-475 calories per hour playing golf. At the driving range they will burn 200-300 calories per hour. The number of calories burned depends on your weight and the intenstiy of your activity. A 200-pound person walking and pulling their clubs will burn 515 calories per hour.
How many calories do you burn riding 18 holes of golf?
For an 18-hole round of golf, which can run from 4-5.5 hours, a walking golfer can burn anywhere from 1,200-3,000 calories. A golfer won't burn quite as many calories if they're walking the course but using a push cart, but the energy expended to push or pull a walking cart will come close to making up the difference.
Are pushups good for golf?
For golfers, the true benefits of push-ups are that they strengthen the pectoral (chest) muscles and improve stability of soft tissue in the shoulders. The rotator cuff muscles and deltoids play a key role in controlling the positions of the club as you swing, but also in safely stopping the club.
Do golfers workout?
The biggest difference between golf fitness training and general fitness training is that after each exercise of 12 to 20 reps, a golfer should complete a stretch that corresponds to the muscle he or she is working. This allows the blood to flow to the muscle and encourages good flexibility and stamina.
How do I get in shape for golf?
Here are five at-home exercises to improve your golf game
- Split Squat: This is a lower-body exercise that works on mobility, stability and strength. ...
- Deadbug: Deadbugs are a great exercise for strengthening your core. ...
- Push-ups: ...
- Pelvic Rotation: ...
- Full Body Turn:
How do golfers stay in shape?
Strengthen your core with the Core Roll. This exercise will give you more power and stability in your swing, and give you an advantage if you're seeking more distance. Lunges might make you think of gym class, but strong glutes and quads are just as important for your swing as a strong core.
How far do you walk 9 holes of golf?
The average 9 hole golf course is around 3250 yards so when converting yards into steps using a conversion tool, the total step count for 9 holes is 3900 steps. What is this?
Is golf a cardio?
In reality, golf incorporates cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and even balance and coordination. With all of these benefits, it's hard to say no to a game of golf. One of the best parts of golf, from a fitness standpoint, is the high amount of cardiovascular activity that is involved in the sport.
Should I walk playing golf?
One of the most obvious advantages of walking during a golf round is the health benefits. A golfer usually burns twice as many calories walking 18 holes as does one who rides. Walking 18 holes is equivalent to a 3.5 – 4 mile run and can exceed 10,000 steps during a typical golf round.
Is golf hard to play?
Ultimately, golf is such a difficult sport to play—arguably, the most difficult—because it is, in essence, multiple sports rolled into one. You need power and gentleness, flexibility and control, and many people underestimate the physical requirements of the game of golf, so they struggle to make progress.
Is golf a lazy sport?
Golf is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult and technical sport to grasp, and we're not trying to offend any keen golfers by calling them lazy! But it's definitely one of the least physically-taxing sports you can play.
Is golf boring to play?
The main reason people find the game of golf boring is that it takes too long. Most of the time, a round of golf is going to be about five hours long. To play a five-hour round, you will also need to show up to the course before your round, and chances are there is some travel time to and from the course.