Fitness, Performance and Injury Prevention Strategies for the Senior Golfer

Abstract

Current demographic trends in countries where golf is popular indicate that the number of senior golfers will increase significantly in the coming decades. Thus golf coaches and teaching professionals benefit from having a working knowledge about the aging process and how this will affect the older golfer's performance and participation level. Playing golf can promote health benefits such as from the walking exercise, but it can also lead to injury concerns; e.g., musculoskeletal problems from repetitive strain of excessive practice. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review literature pertinent to the key performance and health issues that should be considered when dealing with the older golfer. Some strategies for targeted management of the senior golfer's typical health concerns such as osteoarthritis are provided, along with a call for further research on how best to disseminate such information widely to the large and growing population of seniors who enjoy this activity