Think you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Wrong. When I was teaching golf, many of my students were over 60 and they were still getting better. I watched 25 handicappers turn into 12s. The difference wasn’t just talent. It was knowing what to work on and how to do it. If you’re over 60 and feel like a lack of distance, consistency or stamina is holding you back, these tips can help you lower your scores without overhauling your swing.
Use hybrids that forgive your misses
Stop fighting with your long irons. A hybrid, even down to a 7-hybrid, gives you the elevation and forgiveness your swing needs. Look for models with wide soles that glide through the turf. A slightly fat strike won’t punish you like it does with an iron.
You may not be as accurate on your approach as you would with short irons but that’s fine. Keep the short irons for scoring and use the hybrids for better distance and fewer errors.
Grip light to activate your hands
Many seniors grip the club too tightly trying to “control” the ball. The problem is this can slow down your speed.
Try to loosen up your grip. A lighter grip frees up the hands and arms and can help you gain a little speed.
One other thing to look at here is the size of your grip. Switching to a midsize or jumbo grip can help to lighten grip pressure and may also help if you have any arthritis in your hands. As long as you can square the clubface through impact, the grip isn’t too big.
Pull the trail foot back slightly
Narrow your stance and drop your trail foot back a few inches. You can experiment with how far back to drop the foot but the goal is to open your hips a little and allow for more turn. If your flexibility isn’t what it once was, this can help encourage a better turn.
Many golfers over 60 feel like this move helps them generate power correctly (without risking injury).
Start with pressure on the lead foot, then shift
Try beginning your setup with about 60 percent of your weight on the lead foot. As you swing back, shift pressure to the trail foot. If you notice it’s similar to throwing a ball, the weight shifts to the back and forward again.
This helps generate some momentum in the golf swing from forward to back and then forward again. It builds a natural transition to the downswing without overthinking mechanics. It can also help you feel less stiff or rigid in the movements you make.
Think about your knees touching when you finish
If you are hanging back with your weight on your trail foot when you finish your golf swing, try thinking about getting to a follow-through where your knees are touching. It’s a simple thought but it really works if you’re chunking, topping or slicing the ball.
Work on balance without a club
Good balance in the golf swing helps to add power and improve sequencing and contact. Sometimes you can practice balance without the club in your hands by holding a medicine ball and swinging as if it’s a golf club.
You’ll notice that this rehearsing helps you build strength and makes it easier to maintain your balance on a full-swing shot. Try just five minutes a day with a medicine ball, taking 10 to 20 swings and see what it does.
Move up a tee (No guilt!)
Courses don’t get longer; your swing speed isn’t the same. And that’s perfectly fine. Moving up a tee box doesn’t mean you’re “worse”; it means you’re smart enough to enjoy the game the way it was meant to be played.
You’ll hit more greens, have more par/birdie looks and stop grinding out long par-4s. The whole point of golf is to be able to play it your entire life and have fun doing it.
Final thoughts
Some golfers reach 60 and are just picking up the game while others have played for decades. Either way, making smart adjustments means you’ll not only keep lowering your score but you might still be enjoying the game when you’re 90.
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