August is National Golf Month, and that makes it the perfect time to talk about how fitness supports your swing.
As we get older, it’s common to lose the strength, balance, and flexibility essential to a good golf game. But a well-rounded gym routine can help you maintain or even improve your performance on the course.
“Golf requires mobility, stability, and power — all of which decline with age if we don’t train them,” says certified strength and conditioning specialist Michael Boyle, a top expert in functional training, in Golf Digest. “Strength training is one of the best things an older golfer can do to stay competitive and injury-free.”
Exercises for the core, hips, glutes, and shoulders are especially helpful. Think about rotational movements, single-leg work for balance, and resistance training for power and control. A stronger core helps protect your back. Greater flexibility improves your range of motion. And better balance leads to a more stable, consistent swing.
Plus, with more stamina, you’ll be less tired on the back nine.
Tired of losing yardage on your drive?
Talk to us about how a golf-focused fitness plan can get your mojo back.
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.