Regaining Lost Distance

As we age, our bodies become stiffer, less springy and less powerful, which results in shorter drives and compensatory equipment changes. Some of this is biological and inevitable, but some of it is also lifestyle-related. With age, we tend to be less active overall, and when we are, we tend toward lower intensity activity. The end result is shorter drives, longer approach shots, fewer greens in regulation, and higher scores. Sound familiar?

Not to worry – there are some things you can do to slow the process and get some distance back.

1. Improve your mobility– the greater your range, the more speed you can generate. The key here is not to just stretch. Range without control is instability – the opposite of power. Your flexibility routine needs to be paired with exercises that force you to control the new range you’ve created.
2. Train for power– it’s easy to miss this key component of training. It’s the stuff that you probably think you shouldn’t be doing at your age – but there are ways to do it safely that have implications for everything from swing speed to fall prevention.
3. See your teaching professional – timing and coordination are critical, and there’s no way to replicate that in the gym. The best approach includes focused lessons with a trained eye as you improve your body.