Our Odometer Is About To Roll-over..3
Maintaining Distance as We Age: A Golfer's Guide
Regardless of handicap, every golfer shares this one universal challenge: At the beginning of the year, we are all one year older than we were this time last year. Our odometer has “rolled over.”
Although we may feel and look the same, we are not the same (in so many ways). Each year, we lose muscle mass and flexibility. With that loss is an accompanying loss of swing speed and distance. However, there is a way to slow the sands of time and this loss. In a word—exercise.
Let’s be clear about one thing—I am a golf instructor, not a physical trainer. What I am qualified to advise you on is that the swing speed you achieve is mostly a function of torso rotation. Contrary to common misunderstanding, the arms and hands are merely transfering the rotational energy to the club and then into the ball. If you want to convince yourself of this make a two-handed-side arm toss of a ball and notice how the hands and arms are transported by the torso. Here’s a link to one of my videos during which I demonstrate this rotational motion: https://bit.ly/3Z0bRBP
Bottom Line: First, getting older doesn’t need to mean hitting it shorter. Second, building rotational strength doesn’t mean hours in the gym or expensive gear. Third, if you want a personalized program, physical trainers are widely available both in-person and online. Fourth, fifteen-minute sessions are very effective—daily repetition is optimal. On a personal note, my torso workout and 25 minutes on the bike have me hitting it further than I have in past years and muscle tone can minimize injuries.
Each Thursday we’ll bring you a helpful insight.
Swing to the Target,
Ed
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