Is golf good for you? The short answer is yes. A systematic review of the available published evidence (a decent 342 studies) shows that playing golf regularly is associated with longevity and a reduction in the risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Policy makers actually want to encourage more of us to play the sport as the benefits are many. It can boost strength, balance and muscle tone in older players and it is also associated with good mental health (probably due the combination of factors such as the fact that it gets you outdoors and helps with stress, as well as the social element involved). It is also associated with improved overall health for those with disabilities.

In relation to stress specifically, we know that regular exercise – even at a moderate level (the level of golf) may help to protect us against future anxiety and stress, according to the University of Maryland. In this way, golf can help reduce existing anxiety, but can also help you to maintain that reduced anxiety, even after the game of golf is finished.