The good news is that many people are starting to play golf successfully as adults who have never pushed a driver before. “It’s one of the only games you can start at any age,” says Charlie Carswell, PGA, owner of Carswell Golf in Waynesville, North Carolina. “It doesn’t matter if you are five or 55 years old, golf is a sport that does not have as many physical limitations as other sports.”
Furthermore, just as golf is a game you can choose to play against opponents, it is actually an individual game. “Sure, you may be playing with other players, but the way you play doesn’t affect them,” Carswell says. “You can enjoy it and be in competition with just you.” Translation: Don’t worry about the grass being green on someone else’s path — just focus on yourself and build new skills.
What are the benefits of golf?
The benefits of playing golf go beyond just having fun and enjoying the fresh air. “Given the physical condition, walking on the course is a great way to get your steps in the day,” says Dustin Irwin, PGA, club director at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in San Diego, who adds that carrying your golf bag and nearby clubs further increase your energy consumption. “From an intellectual level, the good time you spend in nature, and friends and family are invaluable.”
Do you have to be fit to play golf?
In a word, no. Golf is a sport that has little effect and does not pay special taxes for your respiratory system. That being said, mobility and strength will make playing golf easier and more enjoyable, so working on increasing your range of motion, speed and power can help you move forward.
But if you are just starting out on your fitness journey, or if you are physically challenged, there are ways to make golf more accessible and less demanding. For example, you could play golf instead of walking on the field, and you could play nine holes instead of 18. “If you are not in good health and need accommodation, you can choose a golf cart when walking or near the pit,” Carswell adds.
“Ultimately, you can decide how much energy you use and how much you slip on the ball,” he says. “Unlike other sports where you need a lot of patience to do well, you can start from where you are and be more fit when you exercise and keep going. Golf can be a very fun way to push you on your physical journey.”
Exercises to improve your golf game
Although you do not need to be the same to play golf, focusing on flexibility, mobility, and strength training will go a long way in reducing the risk of injury and improving your golf swing. “There are a lot of exercises you can do that don’t require a gym membership or any other device,” Irwin explains. “Impulses, basic ball rotations, bent rows using dumbbells or cables, and hand movements are few that can be done from the comfort of your home.”
For more guidance, you can start with these quick, complete body exercises:
Carswell also recommends looking at golf training programs like Orange Whip, and emphasizes the importance of stretching before quitting. “Easy stretching of the triceps, bending the lower back, and using a golf club on your upper back and shoulders while stretching the thigh muscles are all good, invisible to do on the course,” he says.
The most common mistakes they make when playing golf
1. Very difficult swinging clubs
Carswell says this is one of the most common mistakes that new golfers make thinking that strength will improve their performance. “That will make it harder to play golf and it’s a great way to get injured,” he explains. “All starters need to do is have a good tempo and the ball will go a long way.”
2. Using clubs that are very difficult
A more flexible shaft would be better, but this is a difficult mistake to start when you are new and still think about your flow and shape, Carswell says. “Unfortunately, it’s like catching 22, because even though it has a huge impact on the ball, when you’re a newcomer to the game, you don’t really know you’re the culprit – you just know you’re hitting it. Bad,” he explains. think of your clubs.
3. Remove your eyes from the ball very quickly
It seems obvious, but Carswell says most people look forward to seeing the ball go before they hit it. “Instead, golfers should keep their heads down until after contact,” he says.
4. Non-adherence to beginner courses
It can be tempting to want to elevate yourself faster than your ability allows, and Irwin says he sees many new golfers trying to play high courses and frequencies that are not suitable for beginners. “If you’re a newcomer to sliding in the snow, you probably won’t find the way to the black diamonds in your first run – the same golf thought process. Tamba, walk, run, run,” he advises.
Golf tips for beginners to improve your form
When it comes to improving your golf game, Irwin says his best advice is to “find a local PGA specialist to get acquainted with the game and be polite to make sure you go down the right foot.” One of the first things they can teach you is the brief importance of BPGA if you want to be a better golfer. It stands for:
Ball position
The tallest clubs are played near your front leg and work towards the center of your stand for shorter clubs. Using planning sticks can help.
Posture
Slightly pinch at the waist, bend your knees slightly, and allow your hands to hang normally.
Hold
“The only part of your body that touches the club is your hands, so holding on to it is very important,” explains Irwin. “I recommend a slightly stronger grip (for a right-handed golfer) to help balance the club’s face.”
Arrangement
“You can shoot good, but if your plan isn’t right, you won’t target,” Irwin says. “Use planning sticks to help you with your goal and ball position.”
Another thing that is important for golfers who are just starting to remember, according to Carswell, is to start around the hole and then go back when you feel you are getting stronger. “When I train golfers for the first time, we start learning the basics of laying and sprouting. The reason you start almost backwards is that about 70% of your marks come from 100 yards or closer to the pit. “
Take a takeaway
Golf is one of the most popular sports in the United States and part of the reason is that anyone — at any age — can start playing. It has low impact and physical activity that you need to already be in shape to start playing, although walking involves can help improve your health.
In terms of golf tips for beginners: “Have fun, and get in with the right expectations,” Carswell says. “You’re not Tiger Woods … yet. Join the first golf course to get the basics of the game of golf then join a nine-hole league to meet new people and apply your skills. As with anything, practice makes [you] better, and practicing golf is a great way to get out, move your body, learn something new and connect with others. ”
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