The Many Benefits of Disc Golf
Last week my wife and I did something completely new. We went to an indoor rock-climbing gym. It was quite intimidating at first, as we really didn’t know where to start. But then we just started climbing, and we were immediately hooked. So much so that we signed up for a membership before leaving. On the way home we discussed how fun it was, but also how it was the perfect companion activity to disc golf. And that got me thinking about this week’s blog, so I thought I would break down the many benefits of playing the best sport on earth.
Aerobic Exercise: Disc golf requires quite a bit of walking, which can help to improve cardiovascular health. The act of throwing the disc helps keep your heart rate up, and is a great form of aerobic exercise, which is essential for a healthy heart and lungs. If you are lucky enough to have courses with elevation, these benefits grow exponentially.
Strength Training: Disc golf requires players to use their upper body to throw the discs. This can help to strengthen the muscles in the arms, shoulders, back, and chest. It also requires the lower body to engage the hips, plant your feet, and build power and momentum from the ground up. Lastly, you need a strong core to help the upper and lower body to work together to maximize power.
Improved Balance and Coordination: Throwing discs requires balance and coordination. This can help players to improve their overall body control and coordination, making them more agile and nimble. The disc golf throw is one of the most unnatural movements in sports and requires mental focus and physically training your body to move correctly, and balance and coordination are key to finding the best form.
Flexibility: Disc golf requires players to have a certain level of flexibility to make accurate throws. This can help to improve the flexibility and mobility of the muscles in the back, legs, and hips. Flexibility also reduces the chances for injury. It is important to stretch and warm up before just jumping onto tee #1 and tossing one out there. Especially as you get older.
Mental Benefits: Disc golf is a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors, which can help to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. The sport is also a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Disc golf is a battle between the course and yourself, and often the key to a good round is to maintain your mental game. It is also the perfect metaphor for life. Learning to stay calm and focused under tremendous pressure leads to better mental health overall. Lessons you learn on the golf course can translate to everyday situations.
Low Impact Exercise: Disc golf is a low impact sport, which means that it is easy on the joints and is less likely to cause injury. This makes it an ideal sport for people of all ages, including seniors. However, it still can take a toll on the body, and why it is so very important to stretch both before and after a round. If you’re like me, you want to play this game for as long as possible, so that means taking care of your body.
Fun and Exciting: Disc golf is a fun and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels. It provides a great workout while also being a fun and social activity. Are these health benefits? I think so: the excitement of watching a disc fly exactly how you want it to, or the thrill of smashing chains on a sixty-foot putt. Or the ups and downs of challenging yourself to play to the best of your ability. All of this contributes to the other benefits and is why we keep coming back to play again and again.
In conclusion, disc golf is a great way to get physical exercise while also enjoying the outdoors. It provides a great workout for the heart and lungs, improves strength, balance and coordination, flexibility, and mental well-being. It is also a fun and social sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. I like how it was described to me when I first discovered the sport; it’s ‘walking with purpose’, or ‘hiking with benefits.’ No matter your skill level, one thing is certain; you will certainly be a better person overall because of playing disc golf.
