Golf Fore the Good

My friend and I planned a “beat the Christmas stress” escape for today. The forecast was for mostly sunny and we thought we could ignore our list of must-do errands long enough to meet at noon for a quick nine holes. Ah, the best laid plans… the sun did not appear as promised and the dampness and near-drizzle made 51 degrees completely unappealing for golf. A quick phone conference sent her on her way to do errands and me feeling guilty that my planned exercise for the day was not going to happen.

I walk and carry at every opportunity and, ask anyone who knows me, my bag weighs enough that it requires at least some exertion. Nine holes figures to be a trek of a least a couple miles and is an enjoyable excuse to skip a real workout for the day. Unfortunately, at this point in my life exercise often takes a back seat to other priorities. If I don’t get a structured fitness routine out of the way early I am unlikely to get one in later in the day. For me, a good alternative to walking the course is a “sweat free” session of yoga or Pilates that I can ease into without having to stoke myself up; and for my game, it helps provide greater flexibility and core strength.

My friend Donna Flanagan teaches yoga and swears it has improved her game. I am quite sure adding a few stretching routines to my workout has helped me regain a few yards with my driver and long iron shots. Cross training comes so highly recommended these days but I still wonder… if I could walk 18 a day, 7 days a week, could I bag the elliptical machine altogether?