TENNIS AND GOLF
They are spring sports for me. But, in reality, tennis and golf are year-round sports for many others. Indoor tennis eliminates weather issues and golf tournaments can simply be scheduled in the sunny parts of the world.
In North Carolina, outdoor tennis weather may begin as early as in February or as late as in latter May. We never know. The same may be said for golf, though golf course maintenance is always an issue.
The beauty of Spring sports is two-fold:
- Golf courses can be majestic. Look at the Augusta National Golf Club scenery below. The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club is just as awe – inspiring.
- The fluid strokes of certain tennis players or golfers is another source of beauty. Roger Federer played an elegant game, as well as one that was obviously successful. See below.
FITNESS BENEFITS
My blog niche is “My Workout at Home”. So, I write articles about home workouts and related topics. One of the best workouts we can do is to play a sport that we love. (I played tennis for over six decades and never thought of it as a sport for fitness).
My emphasis was on improving my strokes and winning matches. I enjoyed practicing tennis between matches. Social tennis was also fun.
Tennis is a fast-paced, high energy sport that requires agility, quick reflexes and strategic thinking. Playing tennis can help improve overall fitness, strength and endurance. The fast-paced nature of the game can also improve cardiovascular health. Players are constantly moving and engaging in high intensity bursts of activity. Tennis is also a great way to build muscle strength, particularly in the legs and core. The repetitive nature of hitting the ball can help improve hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
In addition, outdoor tennis can give us a dose of Vitamin D from the sun, which can improve our mood. But, please use sunscreen and wear a hat. I was not always so careful.
My experience with golf was sporadic. I began to play at age 14, caddied at local courses, shot under 90 one time and enjoyed the challenge for a while. My favorite golfer was Sam Snead. He had the most naturally perfect golf strokes on the tour. His swing was a thing of beauty. I wrote him a letter in 1955, asking him a few questions about golf. He replied immediately and answered my questions. One of my questions was “Who do you think will win the U.S. Open this year?” His response was “If I knew who would win the U.S. Open, I would stay home”. I was naive and didn’t realize that the U.S. Open was his Achilles heel. He never did win it. He tied for third in 1955.
Sam Snead is shown below.
At age 15, I gave up golf until I was in my 70s. I was more interested in tennis and basketball. Resuming play in my 70s was not a ticket to great success. Still, I enjoyed playing. Golf can be frustrating. And rewarding at times.
Compared to tennis, golf is a more leisurely sport that requires precision, concentration and patience. While it may not be as physically demanding as tennis, golf still offers numerous health benefits. Walking the course, carrying clubs and swinging a club can help improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone and flexibility. Golf also requires mental focus and concentration. This can improve cognitive function and reduce stress. Spending time outdoors on a golf course can also provide a sense of peace and tranquility, since we are surrounded by nature and beautiful scenery.
DICK’S SPORTING GOODS
My favorite source for sporting goods, fitness equipment and sportswear has always been Dick’s Sporting Goods. This is where I found the best tennis racquets and accessories, as well as the same for golf. I bought several different putters there and found that my putting improved. Maybe it was the joy of having a fresh new outlook on putting.
I am now an associate of Dick’s Sporting Goods. This means that I may use their link on my website and benefit from any clicks that result in purchases. This is affiliate marketing. See my upper menu – BECOME AN AFFILIATE MARKETER – for information on this.
See my prior post on Dick’s Sporting Goods for the reasons I like and support them.
Here are a few of the specials now being featured by DSG:
- Up to 40% off Nike shoes
- Up to 40% off shorts – by Nike, adidas, Under Armour and more
- Up to $120 off complete golf sets
- Up to 50% off cleats – Nike, adidas, Under Armour and others
- Up to 30% off select NCAA clothing – polos, 1/4 zips, fleece and tees
- Up to 35% off baseball and softball gloves – from Wilson, Rawlings and others
- Up to 45% off cardio equipment – NordicTrack, Horizon Fitness, Sole and others
- Up to 50% off select MLB clothing and gear
- Up to $200 off select golf clubs – TaylorMade, Callaway, Cobra and others
- Up to $20 off select Quest canopies
- Up to 50% off select Walter Hagen clothing
- Up to 50% off select kayaks and paddle boards
- Up to 45% off dumbbells and racks
See the red link for Dick’s Sporting Goods at the side of my website. Then,
- Click on the link
- You will see the question “What are you looking for?”
- Proceed from there
FINAL THOUGHTS
Spring sports such as tennis and golf offer a multitude of health and aesthetic benefits for participants. From improved fitness and strength to mental clarity and stress reduction, these sports have something to offer everyone.
Spring is here. Why not dust off your tennis racquet or golf clubs and take advantage of the beautiful weather and all the benefits that these sports have to offer? Your body and mind will thank you.
Please leave me any comments or questions in the “Comments” section below.
Hi Richard,
This is such a great article, really. Your article does a beautiful job highlighting the joys and benefits of spring sports like tennis and golf, Richard.
It’s interesting how you blend personal anecdotes with practical advice on fitness and the mental benefits of these activities. And I was wondering: Have you found that certain seasons or weather conditions enhance your enjoyment or performance in these sports?
Also, given your long experience, what unexpected challenges might newcomers face when starting these sports, and how can they best overcome them?
Thanks a lot, dear, for sharing your insights. And I will be waiting for more.
Hi Sara! Thanks for your warm comments. I have definitely found that spring and fall weather sports are my favorites. I tend to “hibernate” during the winter months and look forward to the opportunity to get out on tennis courts as soon as the weather permits. I work out for fitness at all times, but workouts are not as much “fun” as competitive sports.
My advice to newcomers is to participate in sports, regardless of skill levels. Take lessons, but be careful about unsolicited advice. Tennis and golf both have means to measure progress. Golf has a handicap method, which is based on past scores. Tennis has a numerical method of measuring skills, not 100% accurate, but better than nothing. It is extremely difficult to explain one’s tennis ability to someone else who has not played the same competition, especially for beginners.
My goal in this article is to suggest that becoming fit can be enjoyable if we choose a sport that we love. I hope you keep in touch!