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Golf strength training is critical for senior golfers looking to prevent the aggressive physical decline in both strength AND flexibility. Hitting more balls won’t fix this problem, nor will taking more lessons.
The biggest advocate for fitness in the senior golfer demographic is Gary Player. He has been doing strength training for golf for over 50 years now.
He’s in his 70’s but doesn’t look a day over 50. He truly is the epitome of health and fitness that all senior golfers should aspire to if they want to enjoy their golf for years to come.
If you’re going to start a golf strength training program there are several considerations you should be aware of first.
1. Get a physical from you doctor. I mean the whole enchilada. Blood work, EKG, basically a full check-up. This will expose any health risks you may have before you start. Knowing your baseline health is critical BEFORE you start a fitness program.
2. Do your research. Seek out information (like what’s in this blog 
) to better educate yourself on the right program for YOUR needs. Knowing your options will give you a more precise program that will produce results.
3. Be realistic with your goals. Don’t go from no exercise to a goal of daily exercise. It won’t happen! Being realistic with your goals will help you succeed. So many people have overly ambitious goals, then fail shortly after starting.
If you haven’t been exercising, have a goal of 10 minutes of exercise a couple of times a week. When you’ve accomplished that goal, then and only then should you increase your expectations.
4. Listen to your body. This is BIG! When you’re exercising, you must pay attention to what your body is feeling the entire time. That means any twinges, tweaks or funny feelings in your joints or muscles. Most of the time a technique correction will eliminate those issues.
Having the mindset of “working through these” tweaks and pains is the wrong way to do it. If your body is telling you something… listen to it! It means you either need to stop or modify your technique.
5. Think positive… it’s NEVER too late to start. This is another big hurdle for many senior golfers. They think it’s too late. Wrong! It’s NEVER too late. The human body is an amazing machine. No matter what age it responds to stimulus (for example strength training).
In fact, senior golfers can see amazing improvement given their starting points are typically lower than someone who is younger. It’s fun to receive emails from golfers who have achieved amazing improvement. Adding 30 yards or more to their drives. Lowering their score by up to 10 strokes. And being able to play 36 holes without fatigue.
These are just a few tips to get you going. Do you have any tips you’d like to add? I invite you to comment below and let us know what you’ve experienced.
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What do you think?
December 6th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Great post Mike.
Probably the two most important points are #3 and #4
One of the reasons so many New Year’s Resolutions never get accomplished is they are too global and ambitious. And as a result, people give up because they don’t see results. Accomplishing small, achievable goals is part of the journey to the primary end-goal.
And listening to our body can’t be emphasized enough, especially for seniors. “No pain, no gain” is probably the cause of more exercise problems than any other reason. If something is hurting or doesn’t feel good, then stop! Your body isn’t ready to do what you are asking it to do AT THAT POINT IN TIME. Again, using point #3, set small, achievable goals and then you can progress and your body will be telling you something different (Hey, this doesn’t hurt–in fact, it doesn’t feel half bad.)
Again, great post.
Larry
December 6th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Thanks for your contribution to this blog Larry
! I really appreciate it.
December 6th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Hey Mike,
I thought all along that you couldn’t be a day over 34 years old!
You are very insightful on how seniors should approach a golf fitness regimen!
#1 is also an excellent point. If you are a senior and have not had a full physical in a while, this is a MUST — you need to know any cautions/limitations you might have prior to starting any fitness program.
The Black Knight is a great role model. I only hope that I can be just as fit for golf when I get into my 70’s!
December 7th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Hey Tony! Thanks for dropping by, I hope your new golf video site is doing well.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:35 am
[…] Mike added an interesting post today on Golf Strength Training Tips For Senior GolfersHere’s a small readingSeek out information (like what’s in this blog ) to better educate yourself on the right program for YOUR needs. Knowing your options will give you a more precise program that will produce results. 3. Be realistic with your goals. … […]
December 13th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
I have long admired Gary Player,especially his dedication to fitness & healthy lifestyle.A close friend of mine,Frank Phillips travelled around the world often with Gary & tells some tales of the extraordinary ends Gary would go to so as not to miss his exercise sessions.
Gary did release many years ago an exercise device called “Golf Gym”,a rubber band which encorporated a golf grip handle & modifications so it could be attached to any door or a hook at avariety of levels.Hence one could exercise all relevant muscle groups even in small indoor spaces.Mine has had years of constant use.Where one would get one now I don’t know but is a valuable tool I’d recommend to anyone,especially Seniors !
January 3rd, 2008 at 2:41 am
Hi , A health trainer can assist you by discussing what you want to achieve from your efforts. Some people want to loose weight, some want to gain and some others want to build their muscles. There are specific exercise programs only a health trainer can give you correct training.