Golf brings joy to many retired people
Golf continues to be a traditional past time for retired people in the United States. For many, the prospect of warm and green climates provides motivation to work through the final years of a hard worked and fulfilling career. Golf courses and resorts around the world cater to retired people who enjoy this hobby.
One nice benefit of golf and retirement is that it often provides a great recreational sport for retired couples to enjoy together. In fact, oftentimes, one partner in a marriage picks up the game after retirement, in order to spend more time with his or her spouse while learning a new game. Golf provides these couples a great chance to spend time together, enjoy a game together, and sometimes participate in couples tournaments or golf outings.
An additional advantage to golf as a preferred retirement hobby is it gives people a chance to combine travel, which many retired people also enjoy, with the passion for golf. Many vacation spots around the United States, such as Myrtle Beach, Palm Springs, and various locations in Florida, Arizona, Maine, and many other states, have resorts and condos available for retired people to combine their passions for tropical vacation and golf.
Golf and retirement is also great in terms of offering the ability to accomplish several goals through one enjoyable activity. Many retired people enjoying walking in order to remain fit and healthy. Nine or eighteen holes of golf can offer one to four miles of moderate walking, assuming the golfers elect to not use a cart. It is a great couples’ activity as two couples can play as a foursome and get to know each other. Golfers also utilize many upper back and arm muscles which helps keep them flexible.
One of the nicest perks about golfing during retirement is the ability to play during low traffic times at courses. While people that work compete for tee times to play on the weekends or late afternoons, retired people can play weekday mornings or less busy times. This makes the play time more efficient and allows for longer games.
According to the National Golf Foundation, about 49% of golfers in the United States who play 25 rounds or more per year, are 50 years of age, or older. A little over half of this group is actually 65 or older. This indicates how strong of a market retired people are to golf courses. Because of the significance of this market, there are golf courses spread through the country that offer courses and amenities to specifically target the needs of this group. Thus, golf resorts and courses are looking to serve retired people in a way that encourages all the benefits previously discussed.
Golf is not cheap. In fact, senior citizens are the heaviest spending group, demographically of all major golf playing segments. While the majority of all golfers are in their 30s, retired people play more because of greater free time. This is why nearly half of those that play 25 times or more per year are retired. Along with playing more often, retired people tend to spend more money on accessories such as bags, clubs, gloves, apparel, as well as using services such as carts, concessions, and more. But, with the many benefits described, golf is definitely a great hobby for individual or couple retirees.
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