How good is your balance

Balance is one area we tend to overlook as we get older. Why does our balance seem to diminish as we get older? The simple answer is we don’t move around like we used to when we where younger. During the younger years of our life, we are much more active with our bodies, moving around with quick change of direction and fast movements which allows the body to continually sustain and improve individual balance.

In our older years with more responsibility and less time on our hands, we slowly turn into single plane movers of our bodies. Single plane meaning we move in one primary direction (forward). This starts the slow loss of balance as we get older. Poor balance can greatly affect our lives in many ways. One example: I have seen more and more people on the golf course or in daily life hurting themselves due to poor balance. A bad fall could end your golfing career and greatly change your day to day life.

Can you improve your balance as you get older? YES! You can improve your balance at any age.

Here are some drills to help improve your balance. These drills might sound very easy when you first read them, but don’t underestimate how long it has been since you might have worked on your balance. It might be a bit harder than you think. Start with the beginner drill and move up in difficulty. It is recommended to practice one of these drills daily, 2 to 3 times.

Beginner Drill: Stand up, hold your arms out for balance and gently pick your left foot off the ground. You should now be standing on your right foot only. Try to hold this position for 15 seconds without letting your left foot touch the ground. Now, switch and try the other leg.

Intermediate Drill: From a standing position, pick your left foot off the ground keeping your arms hanging to your side. Try to hold this position for 15 seconds without letting your left foot touch the ground. Now, switch and try the other leg.

Advanced Drill: From a standing position, pick your left foot off the ground keeping your arms hanging to your side. Focus your eyes on a spot in front of you and then, shake your head back and forth like you are saying no while keeping your eyes on the spot in front of you. Do this for 10-15 sec. without letting your left foot touch the ground. Now, switch and try the other leg.

Improvement to your balance can greatly enhance your golf game and your everyday life.

The Lesson Tee……
By Director of Instruction, Andy Scott School of Golf

Until next time….see you on the lesson tee.