Golf

Get fit on the links

Golf is a great fitness activity for seniors. It involves a lot of walking, which is a great low-impact exercise. It also helps to improve your balance and range of motion. You can continue to golf even if you suffer from arthritis. In fact, golfing provides exactly the kind of exercise that has been shown to relieve arthritis pain and possibly even slow its progression.

Golf is not a physically punishing game, but it takes a lot of practice to really refine your techniques. Now that you’re retired, you finally have time to hit the links whenever the sun is shining and really work on your game.

Golf Clubs

Although nothing will improve your golf swing except practice, having the right equipment can help maximize your game. If you already play golf, you know it’s important to have the right size of clubs. Golf clubs are custom fit based on your height and the distance from your wrist to the floor. The proper shaft flex can be determined by either your swing speed or carry distance when using a 5-iron or driver. Most golf club brands carry senior lines with lighter, more flexible shafts, to compensate for a less powerful stroke. Special arthritic golf grips are also available, which help to reduce the vibration from hitting a golf ball.

Golf Courses

Golf is so popular these days, you can hardly swing a club without hitting a golf course. Golf courses may be public, semi-private or private. There are many high-quality public golf courses out there, but paying the membership fees at a private club has the added advantage of creating new social connections. Staying socially active can be just as important to senior health as staying physically active.

Golf Vacations

Once you’ve mastered your local golf courses, you may find yourself looking for new challenges. One of the hottest trends in golf these days is golf vacations. Many of the best golf courses around the country and around the world now offer vacation packages. These golf packages include hotel accommodations and green fees for the length of your stay. This is a great way to see the world and test your golf skills. Don’t worry about traveling as a single golfer. Most courses can match you up with a foursome when you get there.