By Maurice
Nothing beats a sunny day spent on the golf course with some of your favorite golf guys or gal pals.
But no matter whether you are on a mission to simply stay on par or want to earn the bragging rights until your next golf get together – one thing is for sure – a good warm up and stretching routine will not only help with your game today, but will make you feel so much better tomorrow, too!
Unfortunately, as we age, we tend to be a little more susceptible to injuries when we get over zealous on the golf course. That does not mean that we can’t keep up with the youthful golfers on the course – it just means that we need to do some warm-up and stretching exercises before we hit the greens for the afternoon to keep us at the top of our game.
Please click the button below to download a free PDF of the exercises in this article:
Keep in Mind:
Before starting any new exercise(s), we strongly recommend you follow the advice of the National Institute on Aging and consult your doctor.
What are the Benefits of Golf Exercises for Seniors?
Golf is a great game for seniors - mentally, physically, and socially. And when done properly (and routinely) golf warm-up, stretching and flexibility exercises for seniors are a great way to begin any golf game. Not only do these pre-golf exercises help prevent injury; but they will also give you the endurance needed to play 18-holes each day.
While playing a round of golf may not seem like it is a very strenuous task, according to Golf Digest Magazine, the average golfer can walk up to 4 miles during 18 holes of golf… and even those who utilize the cart to cruise the course burn an impressive 850 calories!
Preparing ahead of your game with golf exercises for seniors is an excellent idea. These pre-game exercises can help you stretch for better flexibility and to increase endurance, which are both important for your game as well as your health.
Whether you are spending the day on the course with your teen grandson for family bragging rights or playing in the local seniors pro-am; golf exercises for seniors help maintain balance, increase strength, and improve flexibility. Savvy seniors know that while working on your golf game is more fun, working on your health via pre-golf warm-ups is more productive. And… since these exercises give you an even better golf game – which is a win-win in every situation - you might even find yourself with full extension and a more powerful golf swing in the near future.
The Titleist Performance Institute,the world's leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing, indicates that while golf is challenging for all age groups, those over 50 have to deal with the significant reduction of strength and power performance. In fact, the average adult will actually lose 30% of their muscle mass and maximal strength from ages 40 - 70. This can be drastically minimized, though, with proper exercises. Here are some of the many benefits of golf exercises and warm-ups reaped by seniors.
Main Benefits of Golf Exercise for Seniors
…and it even tremendously improves your golf game!
Below are some of the best golf warm-ups, stretching, and flexibility exercises for seniors that will ultimately improve your score on the golf course and your overall health and well-being, too.
Best Golf Flexibility, Stretching Exercises, and Warm-Ups for Seniors
The pros at Titleist Performance Institute, indicate that training exercises are crucial for game and health success, and should be practiced on a regular basis for the most benefits.
There are three main types of golf exercises for seniors – golf warm-up exercises, golf stretching exercises, and golf flexibility exercises. A combination of these three types of golf warm-ups and exercises is a great way for seniors to get ready for a round of golf at your favorite course.
Top Golf Exercises and Warm-Ups for Seniors
Top Golf Exercises and Warm-Ups for Seniors
Kettle Bell Goblet Squat
Regular practice of the kettlebell goblet squat is the perfect way for senior golfers to regain and build lower body strength. Due to the position, this exercise puts less stress on the back and is a great choice for seniors who may have back issues. It offers a variety of benefits including the ability to increase postural performance, mobility, balance, and increase strength in the lower body, core, and upper back.
How to Perform Kettlebell Goblet Squat Exercise
The Box Jump
Power training exercises like the box jump are a great way for seniors to improve their ability to create vertical force and increase power. Box jumps help seniors to develop strength in the lower body and improve overall athletic performance. Doing box jumps on a regular basis helps build the muscle groups in the lower part of your body, which includes your hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, and calves, making you stronger. It also utilizes the muscles in the core, as well as your arms, making it a true, full-body exercise that is perfect for warming up for a day on the golf course.
How to Perform the Box Jump
Popular Golf Stretching Exercises
Split Stance Ipsi-lateral Single Arm Cable Push
The split stance ipsi-lateral single arm cable push is a great way for senior golfers to gain mobility and stability. This exercise is also a great choice for senior golfers who want to improve balance, as the single leg training aspect allows your front leg to do most of the work while the back leg gives support and balance.
How to Perform the Split Stance Ipsi-lateral Single Arm Cable Push Exercise (Video)
Popular Golf Flexibility Exercises
The dumbbell lateral lunge is a great way to work on balance and strength. Your inner thighs get a workout, and the single-leg movements work to stabilize muscles. Since you utilize only one leg at a time during these lateral lunges, you strengthen your core muscles, which helps give you better stability and balance.
How to Perform the Dumbbell Lateral Lunge Exercise (Video)
Kettle Bell Turkish Get-Up Exercise
The kettle bell Turkish get-up is a great exercise for seniors that actually teaches your body to move more efficiently. It is an excellent way to improve mobility and strengthen shoulders as well as your entire body, which can help seniors improve their golf game immensely. It is also a great exercise to do when you are in a time crunch, as it is very time efficient with a lot of benefits in a short amount of time.
How to Perform the Kettle Bell Turkish Get-Up Exercise (Video)
Improve Your Golf Game Performance with the Best Golf Exercises for Seniors
Walking an 18-hole golf course is a great way for seniors to get some much-needed exercise. Since most courses average around a four-mile walk, making it a habit to commit to these golf exercises for seniors before you head out to the course is a great way to increase your endurance and stay on top of your game.
Time spent preparing for your day on the course with stretching, flexibility, and warm-up exercises will lead to higher golf scores, feeling good, and being confident in your abilities and stamina.
