Golf is good for you

I'm only doing this for my health.

Shocking new research from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has found that regular walking is more effective at keeping weight down than vigorous activities such as going to the gym.

One of the most effective ways for people to regularly walk briskly is via playing golf several times a month. You don’t say! The next thing they will be telling us is that playing nine holes is a great way to play golf in the winter! (They’ve just done that- Ed).

The walking needs to be brisk and the research applies to men over the age of 50 and women of all ages. This could at least be another reason to take on the battle with slow play.

Current government recommendations are for 150 minutes a week, which is the equivalent to, for example, 12 holes of golf a week.

Dr Grace Lordan, a specialist in health economics, examined reported physical activity levels from the annual Health Survey for England (HSE) from 1999 to 2012. In particular, she focused on activities that increased heart rate and caused perspiring.

Individuals reported on the number of periods they engaged in 30 minutes or more of walking at a fast or brisk pace; moderate-intensity sports or exercise, such as swimming and cycling.

She then analysed data on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) measurements and found that men and women who regularly walked briskly for more than 30 minutes had lower BMIs and smaller waists than those who engaged in regular sports / exercise.

The article, published in the journal Risk Analysis, explains that although the government recommends that adults should do 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity every week, there is no guidance as to which activity is the most effective. The authors estimated that almost 80 percent of the UK population is not meeting the government-specified targets.

For more no shit Sherlock moments click here to find out startling news on playing golf in the winter.