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AUGUST 14, 2002
What You Get from Golf

Golf is not only fun, it's good for you. Golf is a lifetime sport that's excellent for weight control because it's an activity that is low in intensity but long in duration. A round of golf, walking and pulling clubs for 18 holes, burns almost 1,000 calories, about the equivalent of running 6 miles. Golf is played in beautiful outdoor settings. Its meditative nature helps you tune out everything else but playing the game.

How Not to Get Hurt
Golf involves almost every body part. In particular, it works muscles in the back, legs, shoulders, forearms, and wrists. The sport makes bona fide demands on your body. Without a proper warm-up before playing, it can lead to injury. Before playing, do light calisthenics, walk briskly, or do any easy exercise to get your heart pumping for 5-10 minutes. Loosen up with long, slow swings with two clubs at once. Then begin to hit practice shots. Start with wedges and short irons, and progress to middle irons and woods. Shorter clubs put less stress on your body, so wait until your muscles are completely loose before hitting your driver.

Tips to Improve Your Golf Game
  • Strengthen your muscles to add yards to your shots. Concentrate on strengthening the legs, which power the swing, the back, trunk, abdominals, shoulders, forearms, and wrists. Do a high number of repetitions with light weights.

  • Do a full-body stretching program, or practice yoga. A full range of motion is key to golf. A golfer who is more flexible and has greater joint mobility will have a fluid, less-restricted swing.

  • Keep a soft rubber ball with you and squeeze it whenever you have a few minutes to spare. Alternate hands to strengthen both sides.

  • If you arrive at the course just before your tee time, warm up your muscles rather than stretch them. A warm, loose muscle will stretch itself out during practice swings.

  • Drink water at every water stop available on the course, or carry a water bottle with you. This avoids dehydration, which causes muscles to lose their flexibility and strength.

  • Take some good, virtually noiseless foods with you on the course, such as bagels, bananas, oranges, or high-energy bars.
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