We’ve all been there. You’re standing on the tee box, you take a massive backswing, and you swing as hard as you can—only to watch the ball slice three fairways over or dribble twenty yards into the weeds.
For years, I played “ego golf.” I thought more power was the only answer to a better game. I would swing out of my shoes, chasing distance while wrecking my back. As a golfer pushing 60, I finally had to face the music: my body isn’t a whip anymore.
Between a bad back and limited flexibility, I spent too much time listening to coaches who wanted to build a PGA-style swing my spine simply couldn’t execute. I was chasing a PGA Tour look with a weekend-warrior frame better known as a “dad bod”.
The Problem with the “Power” Senior Golf Swing
Most amateur golfers spend 90% of their range time trying to add 10 yards to the driver. We obsess over “clearing the hips” and “shallowing the club,” trying to force movements that our joints don’t support. I realize that I need a golf swing for seniors.
I finally decided to make a change. I’m not a golf coach or a professional—I’m a mid-to-high handicapper who decided to stop fixing my swing and start fixing my score.
Developing a Golf Swing for Limited Flexibility
I realized the “all or nothing” approach was making golf painful. I started researching a controlled, rhythmic approach—what I now call the Mid-Range Swing. I’ve accepted my swing for what it is. I don’t have a 110-degree shoulder turn, and that’s okay. My focus is now entirely on precision from 150 yards and in. Here is why this works for the older golfer:
- Consistency over Chaos: A repeatable swing you can rely on every single time.
- Golf with a Bad Back: Swinging at 110% is exhausting. For those of us over 50, sustainability is the goal. I want to play 18 holes and still be able to walk to my car afterward without my lower back screaming.
- Breaking 100, 90 & 80: You don’t need 300-yard drives to lower your handicap; you need to keep the ball in play. Chicks may dig the long ball, but a low scorecard is built on the mid-range and short game.
What to Expect: Tips for the Older, High-Handicap Golfer
Full disclosure: I am not a golf coach or a PGA professional. I’m a mid-to-high handicapper just like many of you. I’m a student of the game who is pushing 60 with limited flexibility and a finicky back. My blog, podcast and YouTube channel are dedicated to the weekend golfer dealing with the same issues.
I’ll be sharing what I am learning on my journey to lower my scores:
- Golf Drills for Seniors: Techniques for limited range of motion.
- PDF Guides: Practical tools for the driving range.
- Golf Product Reviews: Finding the best golf balls for slow swing speeds, the right wedges for a better short game and more.
Join the Journey
If you’re tired of “swing harder” advice and want a balanced way to play, you’re in the right place and I’d love to have you along for the ride. Subscribe to my blog and YouTube Channel and leave a comment below – let’s stop fighting our bodies and start playing smarter golf.
Tell me in the comments: What is holding your game back? Is it limited flexibility, your wedge game, or putting?
Connect with the Journey:
🏌️YouTube
🎙️Podcast
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