Senior golfers who have played and enjoyed the game for many years are not about to give it up just because of daily joint pain and muscle soreness! Senior golfers know the physical and mental benefits of the game and plan to keep going. When seniors adjust their golf swing, they can play better and longer. Also, did you know that the walkers out there get an extra bump in physical activity since walking the average 6,600-yard course would take an average 11,000 steps? This is about 1,000 more steps than health officials recommended we walk every day.

Other added health benefits of playing golf is time with friends and enjoying the occasional laugh with (and at) your buddies. Playing golf on a regular basis also challenges mental and physical requirement to do your best, keeping you competitive with the other senior golfers in your foursome. One must maintain flexibility, muscle tone, and balance.

Below are helpful tips for how senior golfers can adjust their golf swing in order to play the game longer, with more enjoyment.

Adjust Golf Stance 45 Degrees

Senior golfers have discovered that turning the front foot at least 45 degrees toward the target makes it easier to shift weight forward while completing the follow-through. Golfers with hip issues have difficulty shifting weight to their rear foot while turning the body during the backswing.

This turning motion in the backswing causes hip pain in some golfers.

A simple foot adjustment can help eliminate hip pain during your golf swing.

Turning the rear foot away from the target approximately 45 degrees enables the golfer to coil during the back swing, but with the rear foot turned away from the target less pressure is placed on the hip joint. The amount of torque is slightly reduced, creating less power, but the tradeoff is worth it since less pain equals playing more golf!  

Change Focus by Practicing Shorter Shots

We all started playing the same; hit the ball as hard as possible because that will prove to everyone watching how strong you are. "Grip it and rip it," right? Before we got older, the practice was never on the putting green but always at the driving range.

Personally, I would hit two large buckets of balls, some good some bad, but as I got tired I was not helping my swing because the tired, incomplete swing mechanics were being reinforced. Leaving the range I would be tired and frustrated. As I passed the putting green I never even consider practicing my putts, even though over half of the golf game occurs on the green!

Senior golfers know the limitations of their game and instead of trying to hit the booming drive, just focus on being in the fairway somewhere close to the 150-yard marker. Then focus on the iron shot into the green. Practicing iron shots 150 yards out will hone that skill and have you on in regulation.

As your iron precision improves you will be closer to the hole, sinking more birdie putts! Continue going to the range, but after hitting a few balls with the driver, focus on hitting iron shots to a specific target. Practicing more iron shots will give you the distance, accuracy and the confidence needed to place your second shot close to the pin.

Also, make sure you're following our 3 simple tips for maximizing your driving range time!

Use a Swing Weight to Stretch

As we get older, we have a tendency to slack off on physical activity. This decrease in activeness also decreases our flexibility. Keeping your body active daily is the key to better flexibility, muscle tone, balance and health in general.

Little changes in our routine can make a huge difference when practiced frequently.

Park your car in a slot that requires a little more walking to the destination. When possible take the stairs instead of the elevator, it will work the leg muscles and cardiovascular system. Even one flight of stairs can help improve overall health if practiced on a regular basis.

Practice touching your toes each morning. This exercise will start your day by loosening up the back after a night’s sleep. Even if you cannot touch your toes, each time will get you a little closer and improve your balance and confidence.

A flexible back and shoulders will also enable you to make a better backswing and follow-through, providing a more powerful, controlled ball strike!

Using a swing weight to can help further increase your flexibility. As you swing a club with a weight attached, you will feel a slight muscle stretch as you reach the limit of the swing. The number of swings, not the brute forceful swings, will extend the distance of the backswing giving you more clubhead speed and more distance. Keep that body moving!

Transferring Weight to the Front Foot During Swing

Transferring weight to the front foot prior to striking the ball delivers maximum power with the least amount of energy. We have all hit those wonderful shots that just seem to happen, just a smooth swing and complete follow-through. When you analyze the mechanics of your pure swing you will discover the solid strike occurred because your weight was firmly planted on the front foot prior to the strike. Many golf instructors have their students hit balls with the "9 to 3 swing".

This simple exercise will have you concentrating on shifting weight forward and hitting down and through the ball. This exercise will improve the muscle memory needed to shift weight forward more consistently!    

If you have difficulty shifting weight forward, then golf swing aids like the Pocket Pin High Pro can help! This ultra-portable swing aid "CLICKS" when weight is shifted forward during the downswing. The sensation of weight shifting forward is confirmed by the "clicking sound." This gives you the swing mechanics to replicate for a more consistent swing. The Pocket Pin High Pro swing aid will get you to the front side during your golf swing more consistently.