Who needs the Gym anyway?

Although stereotypically, golf has been seen as quite a leisurely sport, it may surprise you to learn how introducing the game into your weekly routine could benefit your health. According to Womens Health Mag, through a game of golf you could burn up to 900 calories, walk five miles and take 10,000 steps your pedometer wouldn’t know what hit it!

The constant movement that golf requires, also means your heart rate increases, keeping the blood flowing and reducing the risk of heart disease. Health Fitness Revolution believe that, as a result of this, your brain benefits from the increased blood flow by improving nerve cell connections, which help delay mental illnesses.

Alongside working up in a sweat, golf offers a sociable side to fitness. From playing in teams with friends, or to meeting new people, golf enables you to build fresh relationships with people, unlike the often isolating feeling of the gym.

Another benefit to playing and practicing golf is its connection with nature. As our schedules get busier and busier, sometimes we are desk-bound for hours, trapped in a stuffy, office environment.

Studies have shown that exposure to nature can also help relieve stress and alleviate feelings of anxiety. If you’re lucky, at Windmill you may even catch a glimpse of one of our grazing deer or scurrying squirrels.

Don’t worry if you are new to the game, we welcome all ages and abilities at Windmill, with our range of PGA professional coaching catering to all levels.

If you’re a regular golfer, looking for improvements in your technique, our Manager & PGA Golf Coach Adrian Smith is now TPI Level One certified. Launched in 2003, TPI is the world’s leading educational organisation, dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing. Adrian can fully examine your golfing style and provide you with a TPI physical assessment, these will link your physical ability and golf swing technique. The assessment examines your strengths and weaknesses, and offers exercises and techniques to help improve your golfing ability.

One of our regular golfers, Kevin Gray, has already felt the positive effects of the assessment:

“I’ve been doing the program Adrian set up for me for about a month now. I’ve noticed a massive difference in my consistency. More flexibility has stabilised my hips and minimised my early extension. I highly recommend this to golfers wanting to take the next step in improving their game.”

TPI physical screening takes one hour and involves video analysis of your swing, a 16 point physical assessment which will provide a report on the results. Adrian will then discuss these results with you and together agree a plan for future development.

The cost of the session is £65 (£48 with a members card). For more information on TPI, visit www.mytpi.com

If you are more interested in trying something new, then why not explore our new FootGolf activity, incorporating the energy of football with the precision of golf

Archery is another activity we offer at Windmill Leisure and this can be great for developing your upper and core strength and for developing your hand, eye coordination.

To book a TPI assessment or any of our sporting activities, ring us on 01179709070, or email us at enquiries@windmillleisure.co.uk.