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Yes. A round of golf is proper exercise, and playing is linked to a healthier heart, better blood sugar and cholesterol, and better balance. Here’s what the studies show, how sure we can be and how to get the most from your golf.
2.2 cm
Previously inactive men aged 48 to 64 played golf two or three times a week for 20 weeks. Compared with men who didn’t play, they lost weight and inches from their waist, got fitter and raised their ‘good’ cholesterol.
Source: Parkkari et al., 2000
Key findings
01
A review of 301 studies found golf gives moderate-intensity exercise and is linked to better heart, lung and metabolic health. Source: Murray et al., 2016
02
A review of 23 studies found several showing lower blood pressure and higher ‘good’ HDL cholesterol in golfers. Source: Sorbie et al., 2022
03
In healthy older adults, a round of 18 holes had a better effect on blood fats than a 6 km walk or Nordic walk, and on blood sugar than the walk. The researchers put this down to golf lasting longer and burning more energy. Source: Kettinen et al., 2023
04
Several studies have found better balance in golfers, and golf caddies have shown improvements in bone density and strength. Source: Sorbie et al., 2022
In more detail
What the research says about golf and life expectancy.
Read about living longer →
Golf, blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease.
Read about heart health →
How regular golf can help with blood sugar control.
Read about diabetes →
The most common golf injuries and how to avoid them.
Read about the risks →
How sure can we be?
Good, and growing. The clearest finding is that golf is moderate-intensity exercise, the kind health guidelines recommend, and that it’s linked to better heart, lung and metabolic health. Source: Murray et al., 2016
The detail is more mixed. Studies so far are often small and set up in different ways, so results on blood pressure, body weight and fitness don’t always agree. Source: Sorbie et al., 2022
Researchers want to know more about golf’s effect on muscle strength, balance and falls in older people, and to test whether golf directly causes the benefits seen so far. Source: Murray et al., 2016
Get the most from your golf
Advice from the 2018 International Consensus on Golf and Health. Source: Murray et al., 2018
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity every week. Golf can count towards it.
Walk rather than ride a buggy when you can. It adds to the activity you get.
A few minutes of warming up before you tee off helps prevent injury.
Wear sun cream and a hat. You’ll spend hours outdoors.
Common questions
Yes. Golf counts as moderate-intensity exercise, the level health guidelines recommend, and a round lasts several hours. Source: Murray et al., 2016.
Studies have found lower blood pressure and higher ‘good’ cholesterol in golfers, though not every study agrees. Source: Sorbie et al., 2022. If you have a heart condition, talk to your doctor before you start playing.
It can help. Inactive men who played two or three times a week for 20 weeks lost 1.4 kg and 2.2 cm from their waist compared with men who didn’t play. Source: Parkkari et al., 2000.
It can be. In one study of older adults, a round of 18 holes had a better effect on blood sugar and blood fats than a 6 km walk, mainly because a round lasts longer. Source: Kettinen et al., 2023.
Walk when you can. Walking the course adds to the exercise you get, and it’s one of the main recommendations in the 2018 International Consensus on Golf and Health. Source: Murray et al., 2018.
Keep exploring
Golfers have been found to live around five years longer.
Read about living longer →
Anxiety, depression, confidence and golf for people living with dementia.
Read about mental health →
Friendship, social connection and keeping your cool under pressure.
Read about social wellbeing →
The Golf & Health Project brings together published research on golf and health. Page last reviewed: November 2026.
