“Golf can be a great way to get exercise, especially if you walk the course and carry your own clubs,” says Jessica. “It involves all of the muscles in your upper body and throughout your back and really forces you to focus on good body mechanics. And many of our golfers play with their friends and neighbors which promotes social and emotional well-being in addition to the physical benefits of the game,” she says.
Dr. Jeffrey Landsman
, senior medical director at Oak Crest, was also on hand to answer questions about the health benefits of golf.
“I tell all my patients with any exercise, don’t do anything that hurts because it means you’re doing too much,” says Landsman.
“Of course after any kind of exercise you’re going to feel sore the next day. But what I’m talking about is while you’re doing the exercise you shouldn’t be feeling extreme pain or you’re pushing yourself too hard,” he says. “It’s also important to warm up before any exercise. Walking is a great way to warm up and when you’re golfing always take the time to do some practice swings and ease into it.”
Oak Crest’s John Antonucci belongs to the Senior Club at Mt. Pleasant Golf Course where he also worked for many years as a starter and ranger. “After I retired I played a lot of golf. I guess you could say my poor wife was what they jokingly call a golf widow,” says John. “Working at Mt. Pleasant was great because they paid me to work there and I got to golf for free.”
John recently had a health setback but plans to get back on the golf course again two to three times a week.
“I enjoyed today’s clinic. It was good to get tips from a pro like Andy, but I’m not necessarily worried about hitting the ball hard or far, just hitting the ball well,” says John.
Throughout the clinic Bean fielded questions like how far should you rotate your upper body when driving a ball? What’s the best way to get your ball elevated when chipping? And how should you warm up before playing golf?
“Whether I’m hitting a chip shot or a longer shot, the key is to make it simple,” says Bean. “When I’m out here playing I ask myself, ‘How far do I want to carry the ball?’ After all, that’s what this game is all about.”
The golf clinic was part of the fourth annual Constellation Energy Classic Tournament that took place September 11-17 at Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
Erickson Communities, the company that built and manages Oak Crest, sponsored Champions Day on Friday, September 15 where all patrons 50 and over were admitted into the tournament for free.
A putting contest was held during the golf clinic with prizes awarded as follows:
1st place: Ruth Martin
(awarded complimentary tickets to the Constellation Energy Classic Tournament at Hayfields Country Club in Hunt Valley, MD)
2nd place: Bill Witty
(awarded two complimentary tickets inside the Charm City Pavilion at Constellation Energy Classic Tournament at Hayfields Country Club)
3rd place: William Fletcher
(awarded a Constellation Energy Classic Tournament golf shirt)