At 70, you’re kidding me how many ladies are keen to take on golf at that age…
Well if she just read the Swedish study that analysed 300,818 golfers and non-golfers, golfers had a 40% lower mortality rate, correlating to a 5-year increase in life expectancy regardless of gender, age, or socioeconomic status. This makes golf not only a fun and social activity but also one that promotes longevity and overall health—an excellent reason for anyone, especially seniors, to pick up the game.
As a golf instructor, you now have the challenge of designing a golf program to introduce the fundamentals of golf in a gentle, encouraging way, focusing on safety, enjoyment, and gradual improvement. A completely different approach to children taking up the sport.
Here is a guide to the program we recommend when a senior citizen books their first golf lesson with you .
Frequency of Lessons:
- First month: 1 lesson per week, focusing on building familiarity with basic movements.
- After first month: 1 lesson every 10-14 days, with time for individual practice.
- Overall duration: 6-8 months, gradually shifting to more independent practice after developing core skills.
Key Focus Areas:
- Safety and Body Awareness:
- Warm-up routines tailored to an older body, preventing injuries.
- Flexibility exercises for better mobility, focusing on joints and lower back.
- Awareness of limits to avoid overexertion.
- Posture and Grip:
- Extra attention to maintaining good posture and finding a comfortable grip.
- Emphasis on small, slow movements at the start, which build muscle memory.
- Swing Fundamentals:
- Simplified swing mechanics with minimal force to avoid strain.
- Gentle, slower-paced swing drills to accommodate physical limitations and avoid fatigue.
- Focus on accuracy and rhythm over distance.
- Short Game Mastery:
- Shorter sessions on putting, chipping, and pitching, as these don’t require full power but greatly impact enjoyment and progress.
- Drills focused on touch, feel, and control.
- Course Etiquette and Pace of Play:
- Understanding golf etiquette, such as when to pick up the ball to maintain pace or when to use a cart if needed.
- Building Confidence:
- Gradual introduction to more challenging shots.
- Encouragement and positive reinforcement to make the learning process enjoyable and motivating.
Physical and Mental Conditioning:
- Focus on light strength training and stretches to improve flexibility, balance, and stamina.
- Incorporating mindfulness exercises to manage any frustration or anxiety that might arise from learning something new.
Comparison to a 7-Year-Old Beginner:
- Learning Style:
- Seniors: Need a slower, more deliberate approach, focusing on comfort, safety, and fun.
- Children: Tend to absorb techniques quicker, so lessons focus on enthusiasm, playfulness, and quicker pace drills.
- Physical Approach:
- Seniors: Careful warm-up and cool-down, less demanding swings, and less focus on power. Safety is key.
- Children: More playful and energetic drills with flexibility training but generally with more endurance.
- Frequency of Lessons:
- Seniors: Need more time to recover between lessons due to physical limitations. Sessions are less frequent.
- Children: Can handle more frequent lessons (2-3 times a week) as they have more energy and recover faster.
- Goals:
- Seniors: Focus on enjoying the game, being outdoors, and light social competition.
- Children: Focus on skill development, friendly competition, and fast progress.
By using golf as a healthy, social activity, seniors can enjoy physical and mental benefits. This modified plan provides learning at a comfortable pace tailored to their unique needs.