Golf for Mental Health

1. Present-moment awareness: Golf requires you to be fully present and focused on each shot. You must let go of distractions and thoughts about the past or future and attend to the current shot at hand. This helps cultivate mindfulness by training your mind to focus on the present moment only and the task at hand.

2. Mind-emptiness: Golf provides many opportunities for practicing non-judgmental observation. When you hit a bad shot or make a mistake, it's important to observe your thoughts and emotions without an inner critic to exagerate negativity . Even better practice one of the most valuable qualities of a good golfer:

“Bad Shot Amnesia”

Instead of getting caught up in negative self-talk, you can choose to observe your thoughts and emotions with acceptance and without judgement. This practices positive mental healthiness.

3. Body awareness: Golf requires a high level of body awareness and coordination. By tuning into the physical sensations and movements of your body during your swing, you are practicing mindfulness of the body. This helps develop a greater connection between your mind and body and can enhance your overall exercise awareness for golf skills.

4. Emotional regulation: Golf can be an emotionally challenging sport. It's common to experience frustration, anger and disappointment when things don't go as planned. When this occurs practice “mindemptiness” You learn how to react to bad shot in a balanced and disarming way. Mindemptiness helps you reduce anger and frustration then manage emotions to maintain a more positive mindset for the rest of the hole and your game.

5. Golf is a game that requires patience and acceptance. Not every shot will go as planned, and there will always be ups and downs during a round of golf. Therefore your game is the gym and can help you strengthen patience and acceptance of these inevitable challenges and setbacks. It can teach you to respond to difficult situations on the course and beyond the course with resilience and a calm mind.

A golf game provides a unique opportunity to practice both mindfulness and mindemptiness. These skills can be applied both on and off the course.

By cultivating present-moment awareness, non-judgemental observation, body awareness, emotional regulation, and patience, golfers will enhance their life habits and improve their overall well-being and energy 24/7/365.

Golf for Health

& Keep it Simple

“Embrace the challenge to improve your score and your health from golf

Minimize shots to the hole maximize your well being”

1. Walking: Golf courses are typically quite large and can require a lot of walking. Walking is a great cardiovascular exercise that can help improve your heart health, increase endurance, and burn calories.

2. Strength building: The act of swinging a golf club requires a lot of strength, particularly in the core, legs, and arms. Regularly playing golf and practicing your swing can help build muscle and improve your overall strength.

3. Flexibility: Golf also requires a good amount of flexibility, especially in the hips, shoulders, and back. Regularly playing golf and participating in a proper warm-up routine can help improve your flexibility and range of motion.

4. Mental stimulation: While not a physical aspect of exercise, golf can provide mental stimulation and improve cognitive function. The strategic nature of the game, along with the need to focus and make decisions, can help keep your mind sharp and improve mental acuity.

5. Stress relief: Being outdoors, surrounded by nature, can also provide a great opportunity to de-stress and relax. The combination of physical activity, fresh air, and natural surroundings can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

6. Social interaction: Golf is often played in a social setting, making it a great opportunity to connect with others and enjoy the benefits of social interaction. Socializing and maintaining relationships contributes to a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being.

Remember, to get the most out of golf as exercise, it's important to practice proper form, warm up adequately, and listen to your body to avoid injury. Be sure to consult with a golf professional or fitness expert to determine any individual limitations or considerations before starting a golf fitness routine.

You engage all five senses when playing.

1. Sight:

   • Aiming and Targeting: Golfers rely heavily on their sense of sight to aim accurately and choose their target. They use an intermediate target, their club yardages , and their own judgment to determine the shot shape to the hole. Between shots is a time to watch nature, the beauty of trees and how they live and thrive without thinking. The sun, air and sky and appreciate they exist everyday without fail and are fundamental to our existence.

2. Hearing:

   • Club Impact: Golfers listen for the sound of the clubface striking the ball. The sound can provide feedback on the quality of the strike and whether the ball was hit solidly. Socially listen for the compliments of your fellow players or unfortunately the silence following the splat of a shank. Naturally listen for the birds, wildlife and maybe just the wind hitting the flag.

3. Touch:

   • Swing Feel: Golfers rely on the sense of touch to feel the weight and balance of the golf club. This helps them maintain control and consistency in their swing. Then there is the rub of a green or the sand around your feet. Putting Feel: On the greens, golfers use their sense of touch to determine the speed and firmness of the putting surface. “Nice touch” is a typical compliment for an accurate distance result.

   • After your round you press the flesh of your fellow players or maybe its a hug and kiss !

4. Taste:

   • Golf doesn't directly engage the sense of taste, but it's worth noting that some golfers may use taste indirectly for hydration and energy by consuming snacks or beverages during their round to maintain their performance. Choose your food and beverage wisely especially if you walk and carry your clubs the calorie burn and step count is surprisingly high. You will cover 4-5 up and down miles or even more so if your driver is misbehaving.

5. Smell:

   • Like taste, the sense of smell doesn't play a significant role in golf. However, golfers will encounter various scents of the golf course, such as the smell of freshly cut grass, trees, or nearby water features. These scents contribute to the natural overall experience and sure beat carbon monoxide. Speaking of CO 2, trees turn it into oxygen so now appreciate that damn oak that got in your way on 7.

In summary, golf is a sport that relies heavily on the senses of sight, hearing, and touch to execute shots accurately and efficiently. These senses help golfers make critical decisions and adjustments throughout a round, from selecting the right club to judging the conditions of the course. In between shots is your time to practice mind”emptiness” too no thinking of a miss just enjoyment of your natural golf life through the walk to your next shot. Acknowledge your group and take in all the natural surroundings and how they exist with no thinking.

KEEP IT SIMPLE - THAT’S WHERE WE COME IN - HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON