Golfing For Your Health
Did you know that for every inch your belly extends from your chest, you could take two years off your life? We all know by now the benefits of getting some sort of exercise in every day. Seniors are no different and just because one may be in their Golden Years, does not mean it is time for them to slow down. For seniors, exercise is so beneficial in reducing the effects of certain chronic diseases such as arthritis and high blood pressure. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Office reports that exercise can increase bone strength and improve balance, reduce the risk of falling, and help seniors maintain their independent living status.
Most Florida seniors seem pretty active, and golf is a very important pastime in their lives. If you have been thinking of getting out and getting more exercise, why not give golf a try? It doesn’t have to be expensive to start. Just go to the closest Goodwill Store and find yourself some inexpensive golf clubs. If that doesn’t work a second hand golf store may be a good bet. You don’t even need to start with a whole set of clubs. I have seen some with only a couple of clubs, but that doesn’t keep them off the green. The point is to get out there and start swinging. I have had the opportunity to observe seniors golfing and they really enjoy themselves.
I live in a second floor condo overlooking one of the greens on a golf course. I have been observing the many types of golfers that pass by and let me sayâÂ?¦what a variety of people. Of course at 7 or 8am on a weekday morning, most of the golfers are seniors, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Playing on a golf course that is occupied with residents has its challenges also. For example, a lot of the senoirs own small dogs in condos. The little yapping kind. And just so happens, this particular green is next to a screened in patio with one of those cute little dogs. Of course he or she does what all good little dogs do, and that is bark, especially while someone is trying to tee off. Some golfers have nerves of steel and the barking never fazes them. Others look over at the dog with big frowns on their faces but don’t say anything, and only once have I heard someone say “Shaddup” to the little noisemaker. Personally I think it’s a little rude to let the little dog continue barking while golfers golf but that’s just my opinion.
I have witnessed groups of golfers, men, women, and mixed, that wait patiently while they each get a turn at greatness, offering noises of encouragement with each “THWAAAK” of the ball. (That’s what the club hitting the golf ball sounds like to me). The ooo’s and ahhh’s, the occasional “alright”, and of course the ever popular “good shot”, and the happy laughter that comes with it. After each tee off, clubs go back in their caddies, and as a group, these athletes are off to the next green to do it all over again.
I have seen couples, same mix of genders, with the same etiquette. Except the married ones are, of course, the most interesting to observe. Especially if the two seem to have been together for any length of time. The wife usually gets to play first, leaving the husband leaning on his club looking off into the distance patiently waiting his turn until she takes her shot. One balmy afternoon I observed one couple playing golf and as usual the husband was leaning on his golf club looking off into space when suddenly he came too long enough to realize that his wife hadn’t hit the ball yet, he looked over to noticed that she was struggling with an unopened package of tees and of course he, always the fixer, went over to his wife, taking the package from her and ripping it open with more enthusiasm than was needed, sending tees flying everywhere. I cannot describe the look on her face at that moment but she never said a word, just went on to hit her ball, and moved on to the next green while he was left behind to pick up the tees scattered everywhere, her hero.
The funniest sound I hear is KERPLUNK! That’s the sound of a ball sailing beautifully through the air only to land in the middle of the lake. I’m sure the person hitting the ball does not feel the same way but if they are lucky, the golf ball is still reachable. Some golfers even have this extendable reaching tool made for this exact purpose, that saves the ball. Other times the ball is just plain lost at the bottom of the mucky lake and nothing less than a diving suit and a flashlight will retrieve it.
The best sound of all is the sound of friends being together, outdoors having a good time. This is the best time of year to play golf; the weather is nothing less than perfect. It’s what living in Southwest Florida is all about, isn’t it? I mean there must be a good reason there are so many golf courses in any given 5-mile radius isn’t there? I’m sure that some people have dreams of being the next pro-golfer, but golfing gives friends a chance to get together, comment on events and brag about their families. The underlying benefit is the exercise keeps them healthy, I have never seen an unhealthy golfer. I will say that I have seen some golfers with bellies extended over the belt, but as long as they continue to play the game and walk instead of using a golf cart, it will go down some. Personally I don’t golf, and I have to admit that the longest I ever sat through anything involving golf was the movie Happy Gilmore with Adam Sandler. I do enjoy watching people and since I have access to all kinds of them going by my window, I will continue to do so.
So get out there and get started, talk some friends into joining you and you’ve got yourself a daily, or at the least a couple times a week of friendly gatherings. Something that will keep you and your friends healthy and happy for years to come.
