Many people say they enjoy spending a day on the greens because of the peace, serenity, and focused attention they experience. It’s easy to put thoughts and concerns of daily life to the back of your mind as you feel the soft turf beneath your feet, hear the quacking chatter of ducks on the pond, and focus on the best strategy to hit your ball into a hole hundreds of yards away. Yet, there’s more to a golfing for heath retreat than that.
Golfing for Health Retreat
In February 2020, ScienceDaily published an article titled “Golfing regularly could be a hole-in-one for older adults’ health” based on the American Heart Association’s research study concluded that same month. Researchers followed 5,900 participants age 65 and older since 1989. Participants had extensive annual clinical exams and visits every six months for the first ten years to assess their risk factors for heart disease and stroke. After the initial 10-year period, patients were surveyed by phone to identify any occurrences of heart attack and stroke events.
384 of those participants were regular golfers (defined as playing golf at least once a month). Researchers found that regular golfers were far less likely to have had a stroke or heart attack as compared to their non-golfing peers:
| Regular Golfers | Not Regular Golfers | |
| Suffered a stroke | 8.1% | 15.1% |
| Experienced a heart attack | 9.8% | 24.6% |
Why do regular golfers seem to have healthier cardiovascular systems?
While researchers did not identify a direct relationship between lower rates of heart attack or stroke with golfing activity, they continue to study it because the results are so promising.
According to Adnan Qureshi, M.D., lead author and executive director of the Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institutes and professor of neurology at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, “While walking and low-intensity jogging may be comparable exercise, they lack the competitive excitement of golf. Regular exercise, exposure to a less polluted environment, and social interactions provided by golf are all positive for health. Another positive is that older adults can continue to play golf, unlike other more strenuous sports such as football, boxing, and tennis. Additional positive aspects are stress relief and relaxation, which golf appears better suited for than other sports.”
If you want to lower your stress and improve your health, try one of our Stay-N-Play packages.
In collaboration with the Resort at Eagle Point, the Eagle Point Golf Club has a variety of Stay-N-Play packages available to help our guests enjoy the perfect golfing vacation. Let our staff enhance your stay with reservations and travel to some of your favorite Southern Oregon attractions–from visits to local wineries to an afternoon in the snow of Mt. Ashland. Relax your mind and body with a good night’s rest in The Chalets, and allow our world-class chefs to prepare delicious meals for you and your family at the Talon Grill.
First responders and active-duty service military employees are eligible for discounted rates at the Chalets at the Resort at Eagle Point for a limited time. These special packages are designed for double occupancy and minimum 2-night stays–with a few extra benefits to make your stay with us extra special. Click here to learn more about this special offer.
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