Whether you’re a veteran golfer or new to the game, there is always room for improvement. This is especially true for older adults because they may face different challenges than their younger counterparts.

 

Sometimes, older golfers don’t realize that they can make simple adjustments to their game mechanics and reap huge rewards in terms of power, accuracy and scoring.

 

Below are a few tips from the pros that will help you take your golf game to the next level.

 

1. Pay attention to the positioning of your hips.

 

Flexibility restrictions and joint stiffness are problems that older adults often face even if they’re fit and active. If you’re not adjusting your stance to account for hip stiffness, your swing is likely lacking in consistency and distance.

 

For those with stiff hips, simply turn your right foot outward when you set up for a swing. This prevents uneven weight distribution in your backswing.

 

2. Improve your grip.

 

This may take some getting used to, especially if you’ve been golfing for a long time. Conventional wisdom tells you to position your hands with a more flexible grip. Because older adults tend to lose power in their grip, learning to take a firmer and harder grasp on your club translates to more distance and power.

 

Right-handed golfers need only to rotate their hands slightly to the right, and lefties should rotate their hands a bit to the left. This will feel unnatural and possibly uncomfortable at first, but the results will be immediately noticeable.

 

3. Check your posture.

 

If you have unconsciously adjusted your stance to compensate for any aches, pains or perceived deficiencies in your swing, you may have thrown off your whole game without realizing it.

 

Check the width of your stance. You may need to narrow it according to your hip flexibility so that you can get a better range of motion. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a varied stance to see how it changes the feel of your swing.

 

Evaluate how your knees and arms move during a swing. Your knees should not be fully straightened, and your arms should be engaged yet relaxed. When you lock out your knees, it can lead to too much arm stiffness, and this combination will seriously hamper your ability to produce a consistent and powerful swing.

 

Level Up Your Golf Game This Year

 

Whether you’ve been golfing for days or decades, the three simple tips outlined above are sure to give your golf game a boost this year.

 

Tapestry at Wesbrook Village is home to a golf simulator for residents to use to work on their game. Be sure to try it out the next chance you get!