Britain's obesity problem could be eradicated if every person played a round of golf each week, a Conservative MP has said.

Karl McCartney told the Commons golfers walk an average of six miles during a game of 18 holes as he promoted the health benefits of the sport.

MPs also heard a study of Scandinavian golfers estimated those who play the game live five years longer than non-golfers.

It is hoped golf in the UK will enjoy a boost following Danny Willett's victory at the US Masters.

He became the first British golfer to win the prestigious tournament in 20 years after taking advantage of defending champion Jordan Spieth's dramatic collapse in the final round.

MPs paid tribute to Willett as they debated the value of golf to the UK economy just days after his victory.

Read more: Masters champion Danny Willett aims to rule the game

Mr McCartney said golf generates more than £10 billion a year with nearly four million people playing at least once every 12 months.

The Lincoln MP said: "It's not just about jobs and money, vital as these are with golf being the fifth largest sport in the UK in terms of participation, the health benefits are clear for so many who take part.

"If everybody played a round every week perhaps the obesity problem we face in our country would soon be eradicated because golf cannot be played without indulging in physical exertion.

"Indeed, it has been termed by some as a good walk interspersed with some elation and frustration, often in unequal measure.

"It is a sport which supports our Government's aim of ensuring the nation's population is active - on average, a game of 18 holes involves working circa six miles.

The Herald:

"I personally would disagree with this figure as someone of my playing standard I often find myself walking perhaps double that distance as I search for my balls in the rough in the fairway, often on both sides, and dig them out of bunkers, although some have remarked that I'm lucky I've got a soft touch in my short play.

"More seriously, golf is a sport which supports participation by men and women across all age groups."

Mr McCartney also joked the Ryder Cup, in which Europe play against the USA, is safe regardless of whether voters back a British exit from the EU at June's referendum.

He said: "I doubt even those of my colleagues who want us to remain in the European Union can come up with a scare story about the damage leaving might hypothetically do to this great game of ours.

"The Ryder Cup is surely safe no matter what happens on June 23."

Replying for the Government, acting Sports Minister David Evennett also commented on the health benefits of playing golf.

He said: "There was a 2009 (study)... of 300,000 Scandinavian golfers (which) estimated that those who play the game live five years longer than non-players, regardless of age, of gender or socio-economic status.

"So there's another encouragement."