In the wake of the pandemic, more people than ever played golf, rediscovered golf or tried golf for the first time.
Demand for golf globally was higher than at any time in nearly two decades, when Tiger Woods’ fame fuelled worldwide attention.
Rather than the roar of the crowds, it’s the peace and natural beauty of golf courses’ green spaces that is appealing to the city-dwelling masses, as well as the opportunity to exercise in fresh air and spend time with friends, family and loved ones.
And with more home-working, the opportunity to live within a golf resort community is more appealing than ever.
In this feature, we’ll look at how – in the new post-pandemic era – golf could be the wellness solution for a healthy and happy lifestyle and examine:
• Emotional wellbeing - nature’s tonic for stress relief
• Physical wellbeing - exercise and clean air
• Social wellbeing - connecting with family and friends
And we’ll see how Camiral, the Quinta do Lago Girona resort is leading the world with its approach to golf and wellbeing.
Source: nature.com
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
Close your eyes and imagine yourself outdoors in nature.
You are reclining on a beautiful area of grass, sitting by the still water of a lake, sunlight occasionally flickering through the shade of trees.
Feeling relaxed? There’s a reason.The science of environmental psychology studies the calming effects of nature, how it slows down our stress response and induces a feeling of calm.There are two ways this happens.
Seeing still water or light filtering through the tree canopy captures our involuntary attention, making us stop, reflect and consider the wonder of nature. This, scientists say, is a form of psychological restoration, or restorative health.
But it can also be an emotional response. Seeing and experiencing nature, triggers what’s called our parasympathetic nervous system; effectively a biologic brake that slows down the body and enables it to ‘rest and digest’, inducing calm.
So spending time on a golf course that is set within nature can have a positive impact on our wellbeing.
In fact, researchers say spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing.
At Camiral, the Quinta do Lago Girona resort, you can find many of the features that help us relax on a golf course:
Water: Green spaces with water heighten our curiosity and fascination, especially when there are patterns of light and movement on the water's surface.
Biodiversity: A richer natural environment has an important impact on the restorative health experience.
Spatial variety: Land forms, undulation and the way the terrain changes stimulate our fascination and curiosity, including the shaping of holes and fairways.
Light patterns: The way light filters through trees and is cast across the ground triggers physiological and mental processes.
PHYSICAL WELLBEING
Golf isn’t just good for the mind – it’s good for the body, too.
In fact, golf is far better for you than anyone had previously imagined. Walking around an 18-hole golf course – typically 6.5-8 km – equates to 13,000 steps and 2,000 calories burned; comfortably more than the recommended 10,000 average daily steps.
Research has shown golf can also help prevent and treat 40 major chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, breast and colon cancer, depression and dementia. For older people, golf helps improves strength and balance. What’s truly remarkable is that golf could also help you live longer.
A major study* of 300,000 members of the Swedish Golf Federation – men and women across different socio-economic groups – found that mortality rates were significantly reduced, equating to an increase in life expectancy of five years. In short, golf is good for your physical wellbeing.
