Singer Kim Junsu, formerly of the group TVXQ, says he has fallen hard for golf.
Kim recently appeared on the YouTube channel ‘Sung Si-kyung SUNG SI KYUNG’ and talked about what he has been up to.
When Sung Si-kyung asked, “What’s your routine like these days?” Kim said, “I’ve come to like golf. Normally, I don’t really have occasions to walk outdoors. With golf, you’re out in an open space with people you know, so one advantage is that you can walk without being conscious of other people’s eyes.” He added, “And I like looking at nature. Golf itself is fun, but everything about it feels healing — from the journey to get there to stopping in the middle to eat something good.”
Kim also said, “When I play golf, my (work) efficiency goes up. Even if things are a bit tough, if I think, ‘I’m going to play golf in two days,’ my endorphins kick in, so even hard work becomes easier and more fun,” adding, “I didn’t really have an outlet to relieve (stress), but playing golf made me realize how great it is to have one.”
Golf’s open-air walks can help provide a real ‘mental reset’
As Kim described, golf’s benefits aren’t limited to simply hitting a ball. The experience itself — walking in an open space, taking in nature, and spending time talking with people you like — can support mental health.
According to materials from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, exposure to natural environments is positively associated with mental health, cognitive function, blood pressure, physical activity and sleep, among other factors. In particular, many studies have found that activities in nature can help reduce stress and improve mood. Golf itself is also addressed in the “International consensus statement on golf and health,” published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which explains that golf is a form of exercise that combines physical activity, outdoor activity and social interaction, and may offer benefits for mental health and social well-being.
That said, it is not a substitute for medical treatment to the extent of eliminating depression or anxiety disorders, but rather can serve as a supportive activity that lowers everyday stress and helps shift one’s mood.
Not just a ball-striking sport — walking the course builds cardio and muscular endurance
Golf may look like a sedentary sport, but if you walk the course instead of riding a cart, the amount of activity can be greater than expected.
Walking one round on an average golf course typically adds up to about 5~7km. Done regularly, it can help support heart health, maintain fitness, improve muscle tone and endurance, and manage body fat. Harvard Health Publishing, a health information outlet run by Harvard Medical School, has also noted that walking an 18-hole round combines prolonged walking, carrying clubs and the swinging motion, which may benefit cardiovascular health. In practice, golf repeatedly involves walking, rotational movement, balance, lower-body support and core engagement.
Still, it is not a safe sport for everyone. For people with a herniated disc or chronic low back pain, shoulder, elbow or wrist conditions, or severe knee or hip osteoarthritis, repetitive swinging and long periods of walking can worsen pain. In particular, if the hips and upper back are stiff, the lower back may take on extra load during the swing, increasing the risk of injury.
For that reason, beginners or people with pain should warm up beforehand with light walking and stretching, and learn proper form before attempting intense long-drive practice. If pain recurs, stop exercising and seek medical care.
