How to Keep Your Game Sharp as you Age
by DICK MAST , PGA Former PGA Tour player / PGA Life Member Winner of the 2022 MAPGA Section Championship Competed in two PGA Tour Champions events in 2022 Based out of Poplar Grove Golf Club
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FIRST QUALIFIED FOR THE PGA TOUR IN 1974 AT THE AGE OF 23 . At the time , fitness in golf was almost unheard of , as the only person who was into exercise was Gary Player . It wasn ’ t until after Tiger Woods came on the scene that fitness in golf became the norm .
Through maintaining fitness and the experiences I have learned over 50 years of playing professional golf , I have been able to remain competitive now at the age of 71 . Besides winning this year ’ s Middle Atlantic PGA Section Championship , I have shot my age or better 20 times this year in competition , including a 66 to qualify for the SAS Championship on the Champions Tour .
One of the main keys to my longevity in the game has been consistency . I try to do something lightly active every day . If I do an intense workout , I make sure to get adequate rest and recovery .
Stretching and foam rolling have been essential for me in recent years . I do a routine involving both of these activities twice a day . It is amazing how good my body feels after an active recovery session .
I know the recent trend to lengthen someone ’ s career is to gain speed by swinging lightweight clubs or training aids as fast as possible . However , I have found that warming up with a heavy , weighted club helps me loosen up and stretches out my golf muscles , helping to avoid injury .
34 V IRGINIA G OLFER | N OVEMBER / D ECEMBER 2022
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