Anecdotally this is something I've observed. I know many more people who've completely or mostly given up golf for Cycling in the past 5 years, than I do people who have taken up golf.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/30422698 Speaking to these men and women I get the impression that
A even a long Cycle takes less time.
B they can see the effort they put in being rewarded much more easily than getting results by practicing golf.
C the clothing is trendier
D Once you've bought the bike the outgoings are less
E one is perceived as healthy, the other not really. Health is a major concern today.
I do think golf as an industry has ignored the health benefits. It is a sport and they should be trumpeted by Golf Unioins and the R&A. Just imagine if your partner knew that golf was exercise and doing you good. It is an issue totally ignored by the magazines. A couple of years ago I had a long letter pubished about the state of golf and the only bit they edited out was the health benefits!
The only reference I've ever seen on here.
http://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/ivan-july-2012/1. First, please discuss the health benefits of golf.
Swinging a golf club is more demanding than some people think. More calories and energy are burned than would generally be thought when you play a game of golf. To prove the point, try swinging non-stop and see how long you last? If you can keep it going for more than sixty seconds you are super fit. It’s more likely that you will be shocked at how soon your arms will turn to jelly and the club will fall from your hands. Provided they walk and do not ride in carts, dedicated golfers are not as mad as they might appear. By walking and playing a lot, golfers can get themselves into better shape in an enjoyable way that is hugely beneficial to healthy living.
In Life As A Way of Golf, I write about the research undertaken in 2009 at the renowned Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, which found that on average, golfers live a life span of 5-7 years longer. The average death rate for the 300,000 registered Swedish golfers is 40% lower than for other citizens of the same sex, age and socio-economic status. How this was discovered is simple. The national mortality register was compared with the handicap records of the Swedish Golf Federation; data emerged that golfers die at an older age than non-golfers with a noticeable and significant decrease in mortality rates in line with the holding of a lower golf handicap.
Of course, maintaining a low, single-figure handicap involves playing a lot of golf, which also supports the argument that being out in the fresh air and walking at a reasonable pace for up to 5-miles to complete 18-holes regularly has to be good for you."
Dr MacKenzie was right. As the populaition ages Golf should be encoraged.
Confession. In the past 3 years I have acquired 2 new bikes. I would love to have more time for this so if you see me posting less here, you will understand.