How Golf Relieves Stress
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What is it about the game of golf that relieves stress? Or does golf actually tend to add to your stress?
Walking for four plus hours on a golf course is naturally great exercise (Lazy-ass cart golfers don't can't really claim any health benefit here). The body will have a stimulated blood flow and release of endorphins from the exercise.
However, despite the exercise and health benefits, golfing can be stressful. Many people will feel a tremendous amount of anxiety or tension, especially in the moments before making a difficult shot.
I found it fascinating to watch some LPGA Pro-Am golf tournaments on TV where the amateurs would have their heart rate monitored. Their greatest moments of heart racing occurred just prior to meeting an LPGA star like Anika Sorenstam or Natalie Gulbis (I'm sure my heart would be racing also).
I suppose that is what is so alluring about the game of golf, overcoming that mental panic we feel when faced with a significant challenge. It heightens our senses and if we can overcome our fears, our focus can become incredibly sharp. If we are able to make a great golf shot, it is very rewarding.
Why do so many people like to do business on the golf course? It seems that especially for men, when they are in the act of accomplishment, they feel good about themselves and want to do business. Possibly this goes back to some sort of tribal, hunting instincts.
I also think golf is a great way to discover about a persons true character. You can tell a lot about someone by the way they react to little mistakes they make, how they react when they get frustrated or angry, and how they think based on their self-talk. You can also often tell about someone's honesty - if they will cheat or lie about their golf score, you can bet that dishonesty is their nature.
My best advice if you want golf to relieve your stress: Make it your intention to HAVE FUN when you golf. If you're taking the game too seriously, you'll find you let little things worry you and you will get stressed out.
Learn from the example of the best players on tour - even though they get frustrated when they make a bad shot, they drop that memory of the past and immediately move back into a resourceful state.
Take time to smell the flowers and enjoy the friends you have around you.
Happy Golfing
Colin Goehring
PS Are their any authoritative studies or medical research on golf and stress?
I'd love to know about them. Please slip me a note or post your comments on our golf blog.
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