| Would you rather swing a golf club than swing | | | | swing. |
| your partner? Then perhaps golf is your course | | | | • As part of the warm-up before any |
| to fitness. | | | | golf game, use your golf club as a stretching tool. |
| Golf is an outdoor game. Your goal is to use a | | | | Hold it horizontally in front of you, and, without |
| club to send a small ball into each distant hole - | | | | arching your back, lift it skyward. Then bring it |
| preferably in as few swings as possible. No two | | | | back down to shoulder height and gently rotate |
| golf courses are the same, so each one is a fresh | | | | your upper body to the right and then to the left. |
| challenge. | | | | • Start out with a shorter backswing, |
| If you're new to the game, take lessons. They | | | | progressing to a full swing as you gain strength |
| should help you learn how to pick the right club, | | | | and range of motion in your back. However, you |
| perfect your swing, and guide your ball through | | | | can significantly reduce your backswing without |
| such tricky terrain as high grass, sand traps, | | | | affecting your stroke. |
| water hazards, and hills. | | | | • Concentrate on turning your hips as |
| Be sure to plan for several expenses - you'll need | | | | you swing. This will relieve your back and improve |
| clubs, golf balls, and greens fees. | | | | your form. |
| The American Heart Association says golf is a | | | | • Improve your golf grip with an old |
| good low-intensity exercise for older adults. If | | | | phone book. Open the phone book and moisten |
| you're up to golfing without a cart, you may reap | | | | your fingertips. Using one hand, press down with |
| extra benefits. In just 20 weeks, middle-aged | | | | your fingertips, and rip, crumple, and discard one |
| golfers who played cart-free about twice a week | | | | page. Alternate hands. Continue doing this until |
| reduced their waistline, increased their HDL (good) | | | | your hands are tired. You should be able to do |
| cholesterol, and lost weight. | | | | more pages with your dominant hand. This |
| The study also suggests that playing golf regularly | | | | exercise will improve grip strength, endurance, and |
| - without a cart - can strengthen your mid-body | | | | flexibility. |
| muscles and so reduce lower back problems, as | | | | • Chasing balls into the woods can raise |
| well as fight general weakness, decreasing your | | | | your risk of tick-borne infections. Consider taking |
| risk of falls and fractures. | | | | an extra stroke instead. At the very least, wear |
| If you want to get into the swing of golf, | | | | long sleeve and insect repellant, and be sure to |
| remember these tips. | | | | check yourself over for ticks after you retrieve |
| • Before you start playing, walk the | | | | the ball. |
| course each day for a couple of weeks. It's a fine | | | | If golf isn't the only sport that interests you, |
| way to get used to the terrain. | | | | that's good. Activities that improve your strength, |
| • Find a driving range near you and visit | | | | aerobic fitness, and flexibility may help your golf |
| it often. It's a good place to practice your golf | | | | game, too. |