Whether we like it or not, we’re all getting older!!  Probably, the first thing we notice is that we’re not hitting the golf ball as far.  This slowly creeps up on us as typically it’s a slow process.  The mail reason for this is a reduction in flexibility as we age. Most of us also start to gain some weight!!  Again, a natural process if we don’t reduce our food intake as our metabolism slows down. 



Back to losing distance - flexibility is a major part of it, but as we age we lose a percentage of our muscle mass every year unless we do something about it. The extra weight affects your swing plane, the lack of muscle affects your strength and stamina and lesser flexibility affects your swing plane and your ability to rotate and turn. Basically, you lose power.



To counteract this aging process, you need to participate in some form of fitness routine other than your golf game. We’re not talking an extensive programme, but one that lasts 15-20 minutes a day. You need to make this a regular occurrence and should include some type of resistance training with weights. This will increase your metabolism and improve your stamina so you’ll stay stronger through the round.



Distance is dependent on swing speed or torque and this depends on flexible, strong muscles. The golf manufacturers have created senior shafts but this isn't the solution! You need to work on your flexibility exercises along with some strength training. Introduce some golf specific flexibility exercises (you can look up some of these on the internet).  Then spend no longer than 10-20 minutes a day stretching in various ways.  Basically, you want to improve your ability to take a full swing at the ball with a complete shoulder turn.  This creates the torque you’re looking for to increase your swing speed and thus hit the ball further. You’ll be able to recover some of this lost distance and, by the way, probably feel stronger at the end of your round of golf.

You can see the improvements quickly but as with any exercise programme, don’t overdue it and take it gradually. Fitness needs to be a part of everyone’s daily routine and more so as you get older. Not only will you be able to hit the ball further, but you’ll look and feel better. Good Luck!!!!



 

One of the biggest myths in golf is how high to tee the ball. Almost on a daily basis I hear amateur golfers say that to hit it lower, they tee the ball lower. The problem with this, is that if you tee the ball lower you are going to be more inclined to hit down onto the ball thus creating more backspin helping the ball go higher. The other aspect is that if you get too steep you just hit it low left.

To hit the ball lower off the tee, tee it high and concentrate on not hitting the ground at all. What you will find is that your angle of attack is a lot flatter thus creating less back spin. The only problem comes when you try it 1st time - If you have a steep angle of attack, you can sky the ball but try to get used to teeing it high and not hitting the ground. The results can be incredible with an extra 20 yds gained on your drives. Good Luck.