Golf instruction for seniors should be approached in a different manner than younger players. As we age our muscles lose their elasticity and this tends to have a detrimental effect on our golf swing. This should have a major influence on the way instructors conduct their senior golf instruction programs. Teachers need to place more emphasis on warm up techniques for older players.
If you are a senior and taking lessons how much time does your instructor spend on this aspect of your golf game, I’ll bet not very much at all? Most instructors tend to concentrate on what teachers do best and that is teach! Let’s have a look at some warm up exercises and see if we can’t add another 15 yards to your shots no matter what your age group may be.
- The back muscles play a critical role in any good swing. Take your driver, place it across your back and between your elbows. Now twist your body to the left and to the right for about 10 to 15 repetitions. This maneuver will go a long way to prepare you for a full body turn during the swing.
- Next, grip the club as if you were going to hit a shot, hold it straight out in front of you and twist it left then right in a propeller-like fashion. About 15 reps on this one is all you need.
- Grip the club with both hands, one towards the grip and the other near the clubhead, extend the club directly over your head and rotate your body left and right. This movement is excellent to limber up your back muscles.
- While standing, extend one leg upwards so that your thigh is parallel with the ground. Grab your leg just below the knee and pull upwards slightly. This is meant to stretch the large muscles of your thighs which are critical for the generation of power during your swing.
It is very important that Senior golf instruction should include warm up activities. Senior golfers are much more prone to injury which is why warm up exercises are critical. Arnold Palmer, a player who has probably done more for the game of golf than any other player in history is a prime example. Once during a recent interview he was asked about what it was like to play golf as a senior and he said ” I spend so much more time doing warm up exercises before a round of golf “. Who should know better than the king himself!
