A few months ago I came across the surgeon general’s letter to America regarding the
prescription to the loneliness pandemic. First off, what is loneliness? Loneliness isn’t just being alone; it’s the feeling of emptiness, sadness, or disconnection from others. I like to reflect back to 2020 where almost everyone’s lives came to a screeching halt. Suddenly, we had to look ourselves in the mirror and spend a lot of time with that person. That can be a daunting task for some. I find that when battling that state of loneliness it is key to understand that you are not the only one feeling this way.
As someone who’s seen firsthand how golf brings people together, I encourage you to give it a try and here are my 3 reasons why:
1. Community: Everyone needs their tribe.
A group of people they can lean on to hang out with after work for a quick range session or 9 holes. Some folks might state that they don’t have the time. I agree sometimes time is hard to find but if you don’t take care of your health now you’ll be forced to later on. Why not plan a monthly golf outing? You don’t need a big group, just one is fine. Heck you might even start a trend. For example, some of my greatest friends I have met through my own golf league. We started off as strangers but one simple tee time brought us together.
2. Nature: Air & oxygen.
Two vital items for survival which you can get a lot of in just one round of golf or range session. Fresh air, sunshine, and movement — golf gets you out of the house and into nature, which is proven to boost mental health. (Granted if it’s winter time you’ll have to go indoors but Chris Cote’s offers indoor golf leagues. I also offer monthly golf networking events and program).
3. Longevity:
According to the Surgeon General’s Advisory On the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, “Lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.” Golf naturally fosters the kind of connections that reduce health risks and help you live a longer, healthier life. Lastly, golf doesn’t have to be expensive or intimidating – there are plenty of beginner friendly golf opportunities and affordable courses to explore.
If you’ve been thinking about learning how to play golf or need a tune up send me a message at sadie@martinez.golf or if you’re looking for people to play golf with I’ve got you covered.
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