“Our lives have become enormously complex. We are always available, constantly on the move and rarely get to finish a thing in peace. By virtually suspending time, we no longer have the opportunity to pause or reflect on ourselves,” says psychologist Louis Levitan.
To prevent stress, regular time-outs are important. Dr. Rita Trettin, physician, psychologist and stress manager, advises: “Sports or relaxation rituals are ideal for active stress management. Golf combines these two aspects. A round of golf combines physical fitness, psychological relaxation, contact with good friends and a stay in nature.
Golf helps against stress
One important reason why golfing is so effective in combating stress is the natural experience it provides. “Some golfers are already on the course at five o’clock in the morning to enjoy the quiet, harmonious atmosphere,” says Louis Lewitan. “Surrounded by well-kept greenery and gentle hills, it is easy for people to finally feel completely at home again.” The movement helps to reduce stress hormones: “The golfer consumes 1200 calories per round. A round of golf is several kilometers long, it lowers cholesterol by 15 percent and reduces body weight by about one kilo,” says Dr. Trettin. “In addition, you can learn a lot from golf that is not only helpful on the round, but can also make a stress-free professional life possible,” Louis Lewitan predicts. “Here and there it depends on the inner attitude. If I want to be good, I must not tense up, the energy must be able to flow. I must be able to see every stroke as a new beginning and not stand in my own way with exaggerated demands.” And last but not least, golf is simply fun.
The golf course as a stress-free zone
The prerequisite for relaxation on the golf course is the joy of playing. “If you only want to improve your performance on the course, even if it is only doggedly, you will stress yourself again. Playing golf is more than a question of technique, it’s all in the mind,” says Lewitan.
