DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What’s your opinion on golf being real exercise? I believe it has next to nothing to offer when it comes to conditioning or to health in general. It’s more a scenic ride around a nicely manicured park where people play at a game that strikes me as being nothing more than croquet. My brother spends endless hours at this game. He’s one of the most out-of-shape humans on this planet.

Just how many calories do players burn in 18 holes?

I respect your judgment. Is golf bona fide exercise, or is it nothing more than shooting pool? — K.O.

ANSWER: I got it. You don’t like golf.

I consider golf true exercise. A round of 18 holes covers about five miles. If a golfer walks the course, there’s no doubt in my mind that he or she gets more than a decent workout. I haven’t seen many professional golfers who appear out of shape. Most are on the lean side.

The total number of steps taken in covering 18 holes is 12,000, more than the 10,000 steps a day that health gurus set as the daily goal for obtaining benefits for the heart and circulation. I’m going to get letters from people who say estimate of steps is a poor criterion of a workout. Each person has his own unique step distance and step pace, to say nothing about body size.

President George H.W. Bush is said to have played golf at unbelievable speed. He was once clocked at finishing 18 holes in less than an hour and a half. He’s still in excellent shape at a truly senior age.

The calorie cost of walking 18 holes is estimated at 300 calories an hour. The first time I read that, I was incredulous. However, three independent and respected sources agree with approximately the same calorie-burning estimate.

I can’t tell how great the benefit is of riding a golf cart to play this game. I do know it’s better than doing nothing, but not as great as traveling the course on foot. I can’t tell you how much more strenuous carrying clubs is than is using a wheeled club carrier.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am retired. I decided to take up golf at this late stage in my life. I’m sorry to say I’m a golf victim. It has given me a painful wrist.

What’s really strange is the fact that I’m right-handed. It’s my left wrist that hurts. I have had to stop playing.

Could this be something minor, like a strain? — H.L.

ANSWER: I can’t be definite about the diagnosis for your wrist pain. I can tell you what I think it might be. There is a condition called golfer’s wrist, and it happens to the nondominant arm, just as it happened to you. A right-handed player develops pain in the left wrist.

The cause is a stress fracture of one of the wrist bones. Stress fractures are tiny breaks in the bone. They usually come from overuse. Were you playing too much golf too soon?

Stress fractures, especially early on, are not seen on X-rays. An MRI scan demonstrates them.

You have to get a doctor’s examination to substantiate my guess. You ought to have such an exam soon. If the wrist stays sore chronically because of a stress fracture, the cure is more difficult.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 42-year-old male who didn’t have proper nutrition growing up. I wasn’t very good at any sport I tried. My body never grew properly. I have had three knee operations, and running is painful. Nobody I know wants to exercise, but they all drink. They are stronger than I am. What is my potential after the age of 40? Some say you should exercise at that age or take up self-defense. Please respond. — J.D.

ANSWER: Forty-two is hardly old age. People who take up exercise in their 90s make great gains in muscle strength and overall health. Even if you didn’t get proper nutrition as a youngster, that, too, can be corrected now.

Aerobic exercise is the kind of exercise that benefits the heart and circulation. If you find running painful, go for swimming. It’s easy on your joints and provides a stimulus that is excellent for your cardiovascular system.

Resistance exercise builds strong muscles. It’s not too late for you to increase muscle size and strength. It’s probably best for you to join a gym where instructors can demonstrate proper lifting techniques and guide you through the early days of weightlifting.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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