Can a Sport Like Golf Be Considered Exercise?

Golf
Photo by Courtney Cook on Unsplash

Golf, for all intents and purposes, is considered a sport. If you turn on ESPN, you’ll see golf highlights. If you turn on the ESPYs, you may see the great golf legend Tiger Woods winning an award. Yes, golf is a sport, even if it may not seem that way. After all, they’re not exactly straining themselves much, are they? They’ve got their comfy polo shirts, their visor caps, and their slacks. So, the real question that should be asked is: while golf is a sport, can it be considered exercise?

A Lot of Walking

The simple answer is that yes, golf does involve a certain degree of exercise. First off, it involves a great degree of walking. If you’ve ever gone to a serious golfing range, you may have found yourself walking a lot from one hole to another. Sure, sometimes you have a golf cart, but this isn’t always the case.

Strength Training

It’s also very important to note the strength training that’s required if you want to be a serious golfer. In order to hit those golf balls with force and control, you need to be pretty darn strong. Sure, it’s no football, but it’s also not your couch in the basement either. In order to be a golfer, you need to be in shape. So, while the act of golfing itself isn’t such an act of exercise, it’s crucial that you exercise in order to play golf.