There are many reasons to take up Disc Golf, mainly the benefits it can have to your physical and mental wellbeing.
Disc Golf just continues to grow in popularity, and those who have been playing the sport for a while can attest to the positive influence it’s had on their life and health.
If you’re thinking of taking up Disc Golf but want to know more about its health advantages read on! We’ll fill you in how great Disc Golf can be for your body and mind.
The Physical Benefits Of Disc Golf
Full Body Exercise
You may not consider Disc Golf to be a full body exercise, but it is! Disc Golf can be a workout for your whole body, and this is mainly due to the amount of walking you have to do during the game.
You can notch up some pretty impressive miles whilst playing Disc Golf that strengthens your leg muscles as well as the muscles in your upper body.
The upper body workout also comes from the throwing involved in a Disc Golf game, which is excellent exercise for your back, chest, shoulders, and triceps.
Helps You Lose Weight
Regularly playing Disc Golf is a great way to lose weight. You can burn an incredible amount of calories playing the game. You don’t even need to play Disc Golf every day to lose weight. Two to three games a week is ample, and can get you fit in a matter of weeks.
However, regularly playing Disc Golf should be combined with other forms of exercise, a healthy diet, and proper rest in order to lose weight.
Increases Your Energy
Working out is a guaranteed way to boost your energy and mood, but this doesn’t mean hitting the gym or playing contact sports such as football if that’s not your thing. Playing Disc Golf around three times a week can lead to an increase in energy and lift your mood.
Great For Heart Health
Even though the heart is one of the most critical organs in our body, a lot of people underestimate its importance. A lack of exercise and eating too much unhealthy food can take a serious toll on your heart. But a change in diet and even some light exercise can make all the difference.
Disc Golf is perfect for strengthening your heart, as it is vigorous exercise that isn’t too intense and doesn’t put strain on other muscles in your body.
The Mental Benefits of Disc Golf
Gets You Out In The Fresh Air
One of the best things about Disc Golf is that it gets you outside and gives you fresh air. This can be so beneficial if you live in a city, where green, outside spaces are limited and there is more air pollution.
But Disc Golf courses are common in parks across the US, so even if you live in an urban area you’re sure to find a park that has a Disc Golf course near you. Plus, there is something about being out in nature that just makes us feel better.
The peaceful surroundings of nature can help to reduce stress and anxiety, and exercising outdoors not only boosts our mood but helps us sleep which in turn reduces stress.
Relieves Stress
Following on from your last point, exercise is a great way to relieve stress. It’s a common misconception that there isn’t a lot of walking around or exercise involved in Disc Golf, but this is not true.
Only a few minutes into a round of Disc Golf, and you’ll notice your heart pumping, which will then get oxygen flowing into your brain. This not only relieves stress, but helps you to think clearly and improves your memory. So Disc Golf strengthens your brain as well as your heart!
Boosts Confidence And Self-Esteem
Having high self-esteem and confidence in yourself is a great feeling, and can improve your decision-making and just make life a bit easier to navigate without being plagued by doubt.
We’re not saying that Disc Golf will solve all your problems, but watching yourself gradually improve in any sport and the thrill of competition is definitely a self-esteem and confidence booster. Through practicing techniques and playing the game, you’ll not only notice your decision-making has improved, but that your patience has too, which is another excellent trait to have!
Seeing yourself become better each time you play is also a guaranteed mood-booster and can help to relieve stress. This is the case with all sports, but some sports can be overwhelming due to their intense, fast-paced nature. Disc Golf isn’t totally easy, but is a great sport to practice and gradually develop your skills.
Improves Your Social Life
Modern life is so busy that as much as you would like to catch up with family and friends it’s hard to find the time. But playing an organized sport like Disc Golf is a great way to meet new friends and see them on a regular basis. All you need to do is find your nearest Disc Golf course and pay it a visit!
Making new friends is easier said than done, but it’s a lot easier to connect with people who share the same interests and passions as you.
Final Thoughts
The Disc Golf community continues to grow, and it’s easy to see why people regularly take up the sport. Not only is it a great way to get some fresh air and make friends, but it’s also a fun way to exercise and stay healthy, and can relieve stress and boost your mood.
Disc Golf is open to anyone, and people of all ages can play it and feel the health benefits! While Disc Golf takes time to master, that’s all part of the fun and learning the basics is pretty simple. You can get those down within a few weeks of practice.
Getting started couldn’t be simpler either, just get a couple of discs, find out where your nearest course is, and get going!
