Golf is such a popular sport, with the National Golf Foundation reporting that 25 million people are playing the game. It is not limited to young professionals, with 35 per cent of those playing being over 50.

It’s never too late to get into golf, a game that can be picked up by anyone at any time. Topgolf offers accessible and affordable golfing opportunities seven days a week and this June is going one step further by providing free coaching lessons from on-site PGA coaches for over 55’s.

Drop by any of the Topgolf venues (Chigwell, Addlestone or Watford) Monday to Wednesday mornings from 6 June – 3 July 2016, to receive free guidance from professional coaches, ranging from lessons for complete beginners to advanced golfers.

Golf is an excellent way to keep fit and Scandinavian studies have revealed that golfers live five years longer than those who haven’t played before! In fact, playing 18-holes can burn at least 900 calories, with golfers walking more than 10,000 steps per game.

Golf includes a number of health benefits including:

• Staying active
• Learning a new skill
• Reducing stress levels
• Connecting with new people / support and making new friends

For more information, visit www.topgolf.com/freetaster

Golf is seen as a sport of leisure, but it is also a sport that provides great physical benefits. Taking a stressful day out to the golf links can be just what the doctor ordered for your health.

A full day at the course once a week will give your heart and lungs a good workout. Walking at least once a week for your full 18 holes gets the heart pumping. You’re getting in a good walk and low-intensity subaerobic exercise that otherwise would not happen sitting on a couch.

Playing a nine-hole course, golfers can burn up to 721 calories by walking and carrying their bag. Twice a week and you’ll have burned 1,442 calories. This calorie-reducing activity is perfect for someone who watches their caloric intake but can’t exercise regularly.

Stress can be unpleasant, especially those who are ageing, and golf helps to alleviate stress. Being in an outdoor area where you can interact with others who share your interests is a great way to forget your troubles. Many golfers choose clubs that allow them consistent access to their favorite types of holes and other benefits to keep them happy.

All sports carry a risk of injury. Golf is among the lowest in terms of risk for injury. It is a leisurely activity that has few jerking movements on the legs and lower back. While injuries occur, they are relatively minor. Mature players find this quite enticing as they can still burn calories and get a workout without exhausting or risking injury. Warming up and stretching before a round will also significantly reduce your risk of injury.

Play Golf Forever

If you already play but worry about injury or lack of fitness this book will help you keep playing.

‘Play Golf Forever’ (£12.99, Panoma Press) aims to engage with these over 50s by showing them how to stay fit and healthy with specific techniques aimed at reducing their chances of injury. The new guide, written by Suzanne Clark, employs Suzanne’s 30 years’ experience as a physiotherapist to allow golfers to enjoy their sport for as long as possible.

As you age, your muscles can lose up to 1 per cent of muscle mass a year from the age of 30. Using the right exercises, you can slow this process and gain many health benefits. Suzanne guides the reader through a number of exercises designed to help the golfer stay fit and healthy. As well as helping you to continue playing the exercises will help with balance and co-ordination in everyday life.

We have 5 copies of the book to give away – to be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:

Which of the following NOT a term used in golf? 

A: Birdy

B: Bogey

C: Bourbon

Click here to enter

Closing date for this competition is 23rd July 2016