Fore the health of it

Hold onto your nine-irons: Playing golf can make you live longer.

According to a study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet, golfers have a longer life span than those who don’t hit the links on a regular basis. Researchers examined data from 300,000 Swedish golfers (less than half of all golfers in Sweden — who knew there were that many?) and concluded that players have a 40% lower death rate than non-players of the same sex, age and socioeconomic level. That translates into an extra five years before heading off to the big 19th hole in the sky.

"A round of golf means being outside for four or five hours, walking at a fast pace for six to seven kilometers [3.7 to 4.3 miles], something which is known to be good for the health," said Anders Ahlbom, professor of epidemiology and study co-author, in a news release. The study was published recently in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.

Researchers admit that golfers probably also lead a generally healthy lifestyle, which can’t hurt. But they do believe that the sport itself does contribute to longevity in a big way. Added Ahlbom, "People play golf into old age, and there are also positive social and psychological aspects to the game that can be of help." By the way, those with the lowest handicap also have the lowest mortality rates.

So if dad wants to spend Father’s Day playing golf, we say let him. It might allow for a few more Father’s Days down the road.

--Jeannine Stein

Photo: Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times