You may be surprised to hear that golf swing exercises for seniors have many benefits for them. A new study shows that walking 6 kilometers or playing 18 holes of golf improves cognitive function in older adults.
Like bowling exercises for seniors, playing golf also improves the quality of life of the elderly and is considered a form of recreation along with sports. Now, in the continuation of this article from humanhealthmag, we are going to get to know how to do this exercise in the elderly and its care tips. So stay with us until the end of the article.
Benefits of Golf Swing Exercises for Seniors
Before talking about golf swing exercises for seniors, we want to tell you the benefits of this sport at the very beginning of the article. A group of Finnish researchers conducted a new study to investigate the benefits of playing golf for the health of the elderly. To achieve this goal, they evaluated the blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels of 25 healthy golfers over 65 years old. Participants in the study wore heart rate and fitness trackers to track distance, time, pace, steps, and calories burned.
The people evaluated in this research participated in three types of aerobic exercise: 18-hole golf, Nordic walking or normal walking. The results of the studies show that all three types of aerobic exercise improved heart health after one session, but golf exercise was more effective in this regard. It seems that people who played golf burned more calories and their blood sugar and cholesterol levels improved significantly.
According to researchers, playing golf is a healthy exercise that can reduce the risk of heart disease among older adults. This exercise is recommended for people who are involved in heart disease or have already suffered from this type of disease. In addition, playing golf has many benefits for people’s mental health and makes people connect with others, which reduces the risk of dementia.
Important Points of Golf Swing Exercises for Seniors
In this section of the article, golf swing exercises for seniors, we describe some important and practical tips for playing this game in the elderly. The first essential step before starting to play golf is to assess the physical ability of the elderly. Regular check-ups and health assessments provide more accurate insight into the physical strengths and weaknesses of the elderly. You should note that not every exercise is suitable for all seniors. As a result, before starting any kind of sports, you must follow the safety tips.
Another important point is that if you are a beginner and want to learn the sport of golf, you must be patient. Starting with milder exercises and shorter duration will prevent your body from getting injured and you won’t get tired quickly. Since golf exercises can lead to dehydration, especially in the elderly, proper water consumption will nourish the body and relieve fatigue. Also, you should get the right equipment to play this game.
Features Of Golf
Next, we describe some of the features of this sport. Golf is played outdoors and generally among trees and lawns, which brings comfort and inner peace to the elderly. The presence of maximum oxygen and natural light in the golf course allows the organism of the body to perform its functions well. As a result, the health of the elderly person improves.
Also, golf is a very suitable activity for the elderly because the process of performing this sport is free from sudden movements and irregular pressure on the organs and muscles. The distance traveled in golf is about 8 kilometers with an average time of 3 to 4 hours, which is an ideal activity for the elderly. Playing golf also increases accuracy and skill. After hitting the golf ball, the elderly person tracks the path of the ball and observes its landing point exactly. This work strengthens the angle of vision, accurate recognition of the direction of movement, and people’s eyesight.
Basic Golf Rules
In this section of golf swing exercises for seniors, we describe the general rule of golf. It consist of 34 codified rules plus a large number of notes, amendments and exceptions. Note that older people play this sport as a hobby and it is necessary to learn the rules of the game to some extent.
- The standard golf course consists of 18 holes and 3 types of par and the total number of shots is 72.
- It is a flat area with short grass that starts with the first shot from this playing area.
- These obstacles in the path of the holes are designed in a way that makes each of the paths competitive in a different way.
- The normal area of the course covers all the way from the starting point to the hole.
- The aim of the game is to throw the ball in 18 holes in order using different sticks and hit the least number of shots.
- The game is played individually, 2-player, 3-player and finally 4-player. Basically, there are two different types of games, one is kick competitions and the other is tournament games. In tournament play, the player who gets the most holes wins. In stroke games, the player who completes the game with the least number of shots will win the game.
- The area around the hole is called the green and it has uniform and short grass.
- The diameter of the hole is 4.5 inches (11.43 cm) and its depth is at least 4 inches (10.16 cm).
- Basically, there are 3 types of golf clubs: wood, iron, putter. Depending on the characteristics of the shot, the length of the handle and the angle of the face are different for hitting that type of wood. The higher the angle of the screen, the higher the shot height. This angle is called wood loft.
- The complete golf set includes 14 clubs, 4 woods, 9 irons and a putter.
- The golf ball is made of rubber with a plastic outer cover and its surface has special grooves for more accuracy and range.
- There are golf bags in different sizes and weights and with different materials.
- The base of the ball is for shots from which the player can start the first shot of each hole. Other golf accessories include: marking the location of the ball and umbrella.
Concluding Remarks
In this article, we talked about golf swing exercises for seniors. In general, as we age, trying to stay active can become a real challenge. The body and mind may not function as fast as before and the person may experience anxiety and despair. However, it is essential for the elderly to prioritize regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent the development or aggravation of mental and physical health conditions. As a result, regular exercise suitable for the elderly, such as golf, can help improve physical and mental strength, bone density, and increase their balance.
FAQs
How Many Effective Golf Swing Drills for Professional Seniors Golfers Can Be Mentioned?
- Move the Club Back Faster
- Three Club Takeaway Drill
- Feet Together and Turn Drill
- Preset Drill to Fix a Slice
- Squeeze the Elbow Drill
- Chipping Grab the Bicep Drill
- Don’t Drop the Coin Putting D
What Is the Impact Of Golf On the Elderly?
Any kind of exercise, even golf, can help older people live longer and healthier lives. Sports activities improve a person’s strength and help them maintain their balance.