Golf really is the sport for all ages, and there’s absolutely no age limit for taking up golf as a hobby. Whether you’re 28 or 78, golf is a great way to spend time outdoors, socialise with friends and get some all-important exercise. You can certainly learn the intricacies of golf at any age, plus, its low-impact nature makes it the perfect choice of sport for older people. Last month we looked at the upside of taking up golf later in life, and there are plenty of reasons why a late start to golf shouldn’t hold you back. As long as you have a reasonable level of fitness and mobility and can swing a club, there’s no reason you shouldn’t learn to play. And while you may not be able to smash the ball down the fairway like a 20-year-old, there’s no reason you can’t develop a sound technique and achieve some success.
If you’re an older person and have always wanted to try golf, there’s no better time than now. Here’s the best way to get started on your later-in-life golfing journey.
Consult a professional
Depending on your age, fitness and health level, it might be a good idea to consult your doctor or an exercise professional before embarking on your golf journey. Professional advice will help you best manage any health conditions you have, and will be able to help prevent overuse injuries from occurring. An exercise physiologist can assess your strength and fitness and help you devise a strengthening and stretching program to enable you to play golf to the best of your ability. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but if it’s been a long time since you’ve done any exercise, it will be worth it to prevent problems from derailing your game.
Have some lessons with a golf pro
Lessons are a sound investment in your long-term game, and can help you hone a correct technique right from the start. It’s like anything that you’ve never done before – learning it properly from the start is far better and wiser than trying to muddle your way through and hoping you’ll hit upon the correct technique. Sure, there’s plenty you can learn from books and online tutorials, but nothing matches the value of having an experienced eye assess your unique abilities, skills, strengths and weaknesses, and help you improve them. You’ll find a golf professional at every golf course, who can guide you on all aspects of your game and provide some solid direction for your practice sessions. Learn the basics first – you’ll enjoy the game more and will have less chance of injuring yourself.
Book a club fitting
If you’re just starting out, you might want to borrow someone’s old clubs, or use a set you picked up at a second-hand shop. There’s nothing wrong with that – just understand that for the best results, clubs should be fitted to you. Once you get a little bit better at the game, and decide you’re in for the long haul, it’s best to invest in a personalised club fitting at a golfing store. Using golf clubs that fit your height, size, age and unique game will go a long way towards lifting the standard of your game – and isn’t that something we all want?
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
You want to be comfortable and confident when you play a round, and not worried about your clothing. Invest in sturdy, comfortable golfing shoes that will see you around, and light, comfortable and non-restrictive clothing layers that will allow you to swing freely and easily and keep you cool and relaxed.
Practice before you play a round
It can be tempting to get straight out on the course and play a round, but you might enjoy the experience more if you get in some practice first. Head to your local course, but spend some time in the practice area before you even consider playing a round. Hit the practice green and sink plenty of putts, while learning about grass grain, slope and ball speed. Head to the driving range and take your time getting through a bucket of balls, checking your setup and moving through your swing with attention and awareness. Once you start to feel more confident with your skills, then it might be time to get out on the course proper. And keep in mind that there’s no time limit – it may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to become confident, and either way, it’s okay.
Pick your tee times
Chances are, when you first get out on the course to play an actual round, you’re not going to be super-fast. There’s nothing wrong with that – but it can become a little frustrating for faster golfers when there’s a group of slower golfers holding them up. Of course, you can (and should) always let faster groups play through to prevent such frustration, and also to alleviate any pressure you might feel to play faster. But a better option is to choose your tee times wisely where possible. Simply call the course and ask them which times of the day are less popular, and book your round when the course is quieter.
Use the senior tees
The senior, or ladies, tees, are there for a purpose, and there’s no shame in using them to give yourself the best possible chance of success. They are there for a reason – golf course designers create landing areas for certain yardages, and if you can’t hit those areas from the back tees, it’s best to move forwards. Plus, it makes the game more fun to be able to hit the green in regulation (meaning to hit the green in par minus two strokes).
Start by playing nine holes
There’s no reason you have to play a full round right off the bat – it’s a better idea to start with a nine-hole round once you’re confident with the basics of golfing technique. This will give your body a chance to adapt to the game of golf and the swing mechanics, and will prevent fatigue and muscle overuse at the start. Just ease yourself into it – start at a steady pace and gradually build up to a full round. You can choose to play the front nine or the back nine, and swap it next time you play so you get to experience the entire course.
Use a golf buggy
The best bit about taking up golf as a senior beginner, is that no one will bat an eyelid if you take a golf buggy! Carrying a golf bag puts a lot of strain on your back and shoulders, and all that walking can be hard on older knees. Using a golf buggy will save your back, conserve your energy and allow you to stay more flexible and pain-free – both while you’re playing and afterwards. And golf buggies will make golf more accessible to older people with an injury or medical condition, or with limited physical abilities. There’s always the option to choose a walker golf buggy if you’re capable of walking long distances, but just want to save your body a bit and increase your longevity in the game.
Have a look at a great range of high-quality golf buggies that will help you play well into your senior years here.
So, get out there and enjoy all the benefits of golf, no matter how old you are. Golf is a lifetime sport – so what are you waiting for?
