Why golf?... It helps our brain!
- Perry Noun
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Golf and Mental Health
The next time your wife, girlfriend, significant other, or family challenges your passion for the game, remind them it is important to your “Mental Health”.
That’s right...our mental well being is at stake.
They should not only be encouraging us to play, they should join the approximately 1 million “new” golfers who started playing the game in 2025.
They already know the basic benefits you always promote such as; to make friends and meet new people, enjoy the fresh air, you can travel around the world to play, it’s great exercise and extends your longevity.
Unfortunately, they have heard it all for years.
It is time for you to feed them some “new” material.
Go get your pad and pencil or a 5x7 frame to put this article into and hang it up in the kitchen.
Golf Decreases the Effects of Depression
Although playing golf will not totally eliminate depression symptoms, it can significantly decrease their effects.
I’m sure you have heard the term, “2nd wind” when running. Well, it can also apply to golf.
Endorphins are produced in our bodies to help relieve pain and improve mood. They act as messengers in our bodies and can be boosted when we exercise while playing golf.
Golf Lowers Anxiety
The research work of Jules Pretty and Jo Barton from the University of Essex has indicated that green exercise refers to physical exercise in natural environments...such as playing golf.
There is also good evidence that exercise provides psychological benefits to our brains by lowering our anxiety and stress.
The combination of the physical benefits of golf and social interaction can result in a big reduction in anxiety.
Golf Promotes Social Interaction
Dopamine is a neuromodulatory molecule that plays several important rolls in our cells.
Social interaction has been found to naturally produce dopamine which results in a “reward system” to the brain.
It can be a “high five” for a good shot or a handshake at the end of the round, dopamine can be produced.
Golf Reduces Stress
The combination of green exercise while being on a golf course in the middle of nature, greatly reduces stress and mental exhaustion.
Also, being outside actually stimulates the production of serotonin in our bodies when sunlight enters our eyes.
This produces more serotonin which actually plays a large role in making us feel happier when we are playing golf.
Golf Improves our “Life Skills”
Learning how to deal with bad shots and focus on the good ones is a wonderful way to improve your mental health and maturity on a golf course.
Experience, social skills, talent, fitness, practical knowledge, maturity, savvy, basic skills, competence, efficiency training and touch are great reminders of how golf and life mimic each other.
Golf teaches us to accept what happened, forgive yourself, “let it go” and move on...golf or life...it makes no difference.
Golf Improves Sleep
A study in 2013 determined that spending just 30 minutes a day outdoors exercising, away from artificial light, shifts the cycle of sleep hormones in the brain.
A additional study found that 30 minutes a day outdoors, improved adult’s sleep performance by 65%.
If that is not enough “new” material for you...Golf Makes You Happy!...Golf Is Therapeutic!...& Golf Teaches Patience and Resilience!
Don’t forget to check us out on PerryNoun.com
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