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Yes, it can be. Golf is moderate-intensity exercise, and regular golfers have been found to have healthier blood fats, lower blood pressure and a lower risk of dying early. Here’s what the research shows, and how to play safely if you have a heart condition.
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Being active is one of the best ways to lower your risk, and a round of golf counts. Source: World Health Organization, 2025 Source: NHS, 2025
Key findings
01
Over 10 years, 15.1% of older adults who played golf at least once a month died, compared with 24.6% of those who didn’t play. Source: American Heart Association, 2022
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
Inactive men aged 48 to 64 who played two or three times a week for 20 weeks got fitter, lost 2.2 cm from their waist and raised their HDL cholesterol. Source: Parkkari et al., 2000
04
In healthy older adults, 18 holes lowered blood pressure and was the only activity of the three tested to raise HDL cholesterol straight away. Source: Kettinen et al., 2023
How sure can we be?
Fairly good. Golf is moderate-intensity exercise, and exercise at that level is well known to protect the heart. Source: Murray et al., 2016
Many golf studies are small, and some results on blood pressure differ. Source: Sorbie et al., 2022 The 10-year finding comes from observing golfers rather than a trial, so it shows a link rather than proof that golf caused the difference. Source: American Heart Association, 2022
Play it safe
Golf is a good way to stay active with heart disease or after a heart attack, as long as your doctor agrees.
If you have a heart condition, chest pain or have had a heart attack, get the go-ahead before you start.
Start with nine holes or a short course and add more as your fitness grows.
Walking the course adds to the exercise you get. Source: Murray et al., 2018
Golf courses are the fifth most common public place for a cardiac arrest in the US. Source: Gustafson et al., 2025
Common questions
Yes. Golf is moderate-intensity exercise, the kind that helps protect your heart. Source: Murray et al., 2016.
Several studies have found lower blood pressure in golfers, though not all agree. Source: Sorbie et al., 2022.
Many people do. Speak to your doctor or cardiac rehab team first and build up gradually.
Call the emergency services, start CPR and get a defibrillator. When one was used on US courses, 38% survived to leave hospital, compared with 19% without. Source: Gustafson et al., 2025.
Keep exploring
The Golf & Health Project brings together published research on golf and health. This page is general information, not medical advice. Page last reviewed: November 2026.
