Senior Golfers Increase Swing Speed

It is widely known that with increased age comes a decrease in flexibility. This is why so many golf fitness programs emphasize stretching and increasing range of motion for senior golfers. It has also been well documented that senior golfers between the ages of 55 and 79 can increase their drive distance and enhance their overall golf performance by engaging in a safe and effective golf conditioning program.

According to a recent study evaluating swing speed, senior golfers reaped great benefits by engaging in regular core stabilization exercises. Senior golfers participated in an 8 week study where they engaged in a core stabilization program several times weekly utilizing tools such as foam rollers, mats, stability balls, medicine balls and elastic cables. The end result was an increase in club head speed of over 6 mph. In real terms, this can yield an increase in drive distance of over 17 yards.

For those senior golfers who are interested in improving their length off the tee while increasing their level of fitness, try these core stabilization exercises.

Glute Bridge

Goal:

This movement is designed to strengthen the glutes as well as improve their firing rate.

Instruction:

? Lie down on the floor on your back

? Bend your knees and place a ball or folded towel between your

? knees

? Place your hands at your side and lift your toes off the ground with heels remaining

? Engage your abdominals and glutes, then slowly lift your hips off the ground

? Don't let the glutes touch the ground while you perform repetitions

Ball Bridge

Goal:

This movement is designed to strengthen the low back muscles and glutes.

Instruction:

? Lie down on back with your feet on top of the ball

? Point toes towards your shins

? Pull shoulder blades back and down

? Raise glutes up until you are one line from your shoulders to your feet

? Slowly lower your body until hips almost touch the ground, then repeat the lift

Sitting Leg Lift

Goal:

This movement is designed to activate your hip flexor and thigh muscles while stabilizing your abdominals and spine.

Instruction:

? Sit on a Swiss Ball with your feet shoulder width apart

? Rest your hands on each side of the ball

? Tighten your abdominal muscles and maintain a straight spine

? Begin by lifting one leg at a time a few inches off the floor

? Alternate between each leg in a marching motion

? Try to keep the same spine angle and avoid shifting from side to side

Senior golfers still have what it takes to hit the long ball as long as they continue to compensate for the loses they experience through the aging process. Placing an emphasis on core strength, stabilization and flexibility, will keep senior golfers in the game for years to come.

Susan Hill is a CHEK Golf Biomechanic, Sports Nutritionist and President of Fitness for Golf. For exercises targeted to lower your handicap and give you a competitive edge every time you play, then visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com

---

Are You Wearing the Right Golf Shoes When You Golf?

For those of you that golf you know that golf... Read More

How to Cure a Golf Hook

If you've been battling a hook for a while you... Read More

Easy To Implement Golf Improvement Techniques

Golf improvement techniques abound. This article will cover some golf... Read More

Golf Tips ? Finding that Winning Grip and the Cures for Grip Related Problems

The correct grip is a key fundamental component of a... Read More

The Worlds Elite Golf Courses

We all here different opinions of great challenging golf courses... Read More

Are You Fully Committed to Playing Your Best Golf?

After taking golf lessons and/or attempting to make changes in... Read More

Back Fitness for Senior Golfers

Back injuries are prevalent among golfers of all ages and... Read More

Golf Specific Core Exercises Improve Your Drive Distance

What if I could give you three important exercises for... Read More

How Timing The Golf Swing Is So Critical To Consistent Shots

Timing the golf swing is extremely critical. It is not... Read More

3 Easy Changes to Shave Strokes from Your Golf Game

Here are 3 easy golf tips that will immediately give... Read More

Golf Tips Should Always Include Fitness

When you think of golf tips, do you usually think... Read More

The Perfect Golf Swing Through Improved Posture And Balance

Every golfer is continually in search of that elusive feel... Read More

Backspin Advice

Lately, I have received many requests for 2 things.1. Advice... Read More

Golf Tips ? A Good Thinking Head Makes A Better Golfer

Golf is a wonderful game but we all want to... Read More

Simple Tips For Improving Golf Swing

There are loads of resources both on-line and off that... Read More

52 Ways To Stop Your Slice

If there's one thing that haunts most golfers more than... Read More

Golf Nutrition Is Not An Oxymoron - Listen Up

Golf nutrition is still a relatively new concept. However, everybody... Read More

Golfing Products And What You Need To Know Before Purchasing

In recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in... Read More

Why Golf Tips Work Better For The Woman Golfer

Gone are the days when a woman would feel intimidated... Read More

Perform Better Golf Right In Your Home

To perform better golf, you need to take a different... Read More

Course Management Strategies for Junior Golfers

Many junior golfers are still in the process of developing... Read More

Golf Exercise And Stretch Program For Total Golf Performance

Golf exercise and stretch. This is a combination I use... Read More

Golf Stretching Secrets to Improve Performance

The trend in larger and therefore heavier club heads in... Read More

How Important Is A Golf Fitness Program

A golf fitness program can make the difference between you... Read More

Becoming an Ageless Golfer

It happens to all of us, even though we do... Read More

Baggin It Right...Raises Your Game

Even the most casual of golfers needs a golf bag.... Read More

Warm Up With A Back Exercise For Golf

Let's face it, if you are a passionate golfer who... Read More

This IS Golf - Womens Golf

The Korean women golfer Jeong Jang (JJ) chose the British... Read More

The Biomechanics Of A Golf Swing Can Teach You Plenty

The biomechanics of the golf swing can be very revealing... Read More

How to Win at Golf

What's the point of playing sport if you don't want... Read More

Golf Swing Mechanics Can Be Improved Very Quickly

If you're like most golfers, you're always trying to duplicate... Read More

An Effective Golf Swing Exercise

There are many types of effective golf swing exercises. Golf... Read More

5 Sure Fire Ways to Build a more Powerful and Pain-FREE Golf Game

Until recently being physically fit was of little concern to... Read More