Play Golf Forever: a golf balance exercise for the over 50s

Suzanne Clark, author of new book 'Play Golf Forever', suggests an exercise to improve the balance of the over 50s golfer

Long-time physiotherapist, Suzanne Clark, has written a book called Play Golf Forever: a Physiotherapist’s Guide to Golf Fitness and Health for the Over 50s, a sister title to her earlier Play Tennis Forever.

One of the things all golfers need is good balance, but sadly, that is one of the things that can regress a little as we get older. Here, Suzanne suggests a very simple exercise that will not only show you how good your balance is,  but also help you to improve it...

Exercise to improve your balance for golf

It sounds a little odd to say, but a very good way to improve your balance is simply to practise balancing! Balance is a skill that declines with age as we're often guilty of not really making our balance mechanisms work for us, but rather just assuming that they'll be there when we need them.

So a really good thing to do is just to spend a little time every day balancing on one leg - you can do it when you're doing other mundane tasks like brushing your teeth.

Try it on both legs individually, and then try with your eyes shut too, which you will probably find a little harder. The reason for this is that with your eyes open you're using your other senses to help with your balance, and are correcting yourself visually rather than just letting the mechanisms required for good balance taking over automatically.

Do this every day or night for three weeks, and you will notice a difference

Check out our short video series highlighting some of the other key exercises and suggestions Suzanne gave GM's very own over 50s golfer, Jezz Ellwood, on a recent visit to the Golf Monthly offices...

Pre-round five-minute warm-up

Exercises from the comfort of your chair

Resistance band swing exercises

Post-round cool down

Important Medical Disclaimer If the reader or viewer has any existing medical conditions or requires individual advice, they should check with their GP or appropriate healthcare professional before undertaking any exercise or stretching programmes. No responsibility is assumed for any loss or damage caused, or allegedly caused, as a result of following the advice given.