Golf is custom-made for social distancing
Uncertain whether you should take up golf or not? For expert advice you can ask any true-blue amateur, young or old, who will provide you with close to a zillion reasons why you should try your hand at golf "at least once."
Beware though: golf is highly addictive.
Even though Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965) stated, many moons ago, that "golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons ill-designed for the purpose." On a more serious note, Heinrich Lourens, general manager of the Southern Cape Golf Union, told George Herald everyone should grab a set of clubs and rush off to a golf course. "As you will soon see, there is something for everyone when it comes to the great game of golf," he said.
Here are a few ways how golf can benefit you:
Golf is good for your health. Playing golf is a fantastic cardiovascular exercise which brings numerous physical and mental health benefits. Swinging a golf club builds muscle and strengthens your core and if you pull or carry your golf bag instead of opting for a golf cart, you will be getting an even better workout.
Social distancing is easy to maintain. Golf is played on large facilities with social distancing between players of at least two meters, offering you a safe environment to learn this sport.
It is a game where you challenge yourself. Unlike many team sports, golf is made for the individual. Most of the time you play against yourself to try to beat your own previous record. This makes it a lot of fun to work hard and try to do better than the last time you played.
Family activity. Why not bring your kids along on your next golf outing? If they are old enough they can exercise by walking the course with you. If they are too young, you can take a golf cart to help them out. You can get golf clubs in every size, shape and colour, so there is no reason to limit your kids' golf experiences to the putt-putt course. Let your whole family benefit from golfing and bond in the process.
Lifetime value. There are not many sports that you can play from age three to 93. Golf is one of those sports that can connect generations and be enjoyed, no matter what age you are.
"From the Southern Cape
Golf Union, we welcome you back to the sport we all love!” says Lourens. “Not only is social distancing easy to maintain on a golf course, but the regulations that ensure the safety of each golfer and employee are firmly in place.
"Getting the clubs open was only the first step and we ask that, if you have the financial means, you support your club, support the retailers and support your coaches. And that you continue to do so. We all have a responsibility to keep each other safe. Happy golfing!"
Like Robert Lynd (1879 - 1949) said: "It is almost impossible to remember how tragic a place the world is when one is playing golf."
‘It is almost impossible to remember how tragic a place the world is when one is playing golf.’