Need some swing advice for my father

[stevestrike]

Late start in golf, and now getting older

My father started playing golf when I did about 3 years ago. He just turned 60 this year, and has some flexibility issues, along with some arthritis, and probably some other stuff that I don't know about. I bought him a 15* Adams driver with a senior flex shaft that he used to hit pretty well--about 200-220 down the middle with a backswing that barely goes above his hips! Recently however, his drives have fallen off to around 170-180, many times with a big pull slice that makes him not only short, but also in the rough.

Over the last three years, his scores went from 120's, to finally breaking 100, to low 90's, back up to mid 90's, and now he's back to shooting in the 100's again, and I can see he is getting frustrated. Whereas we used to play the same crappy golf together, the difference between our game/scores has become a sore spot. (he posted a 113 the other day to my 83 for example) Recently, he has started asking me for advice on his swing, which he has never done before. I talked to him about his weak grip, and how he falls onto his back foot during his swing, and how I think those are causing him to lose power, but I can't help to feel like I might be overwhelming him with too much information, or even giving him tips that won't help him or that he cannot do (full shoulder turn for example).

So I've been thinking about getting him something like the Natural Golf book or something that will help him get back into the mid-90's. I think he would be happy just to straighten out the driver, and add 20-30 yards to his 170 yard tee shots. My question is has anyone had experience with Natural golf, or is there a "method" that is geared for seniors that he can adopt? Any advice you can give me that can help him is appreciated. I want to help him out, but I'm not qualified and I don't want to make things worse for him. I know if he can get around the course in less that 100 strokes he'd be happy again, but his driver & iron play are really preventing this from happening.

[Buddyjay]

Maybe a couple of lessons would help. Especially from a pro that uses video where he can actually see what he's doing/not doing.
Golf Galaxy uses video and uploads it to the net for you.

As far as flexibility issues and arthritis, there are a few really good threads on here that talk about that. I'm 54 and noticed that I have lost a lot of flexibility. I started doing stretching exercises with the stretching bands and it has helped. Sounds like he has lost even MORE flexibility since he started playing. As he/we get older, the flexibility issues get more serious.

A good book that is supposed to help with "clearing your head" is Extraordinary Golf. I have'nt read it yet but people say it is very good about not getting overwhelmed with the golf swing.

[bjc]

I agree that flexibility is probably a contributer to his troubles. I also suspect that something in his swing has changed, weight transfer, release, etc. due to compensation for loss of flexibility and strength. Buddyjay's advice is good. I don't think that a new swing is a great answer. Learning new swings at your dad's age ( and mine!) can be difficult. Strength and flexibility work along with a swing check will most likely solve at least some of the problem. I know I am always amazed when I focus on improving my flexibility and my overall conditioning1

[Jenner]

The description of your father's driving problems describes the plight of one of our club members who suffered from exactly the same problem. From playing steady, very reliable tee-shots, he lost it completely and started to push or slice just about everything but, the good news is he cured the problem without too much trouble. He took advice from a swing guru, practiced and developed the 'stack 'n' tilt' swing and it cured his problem completely in about a month or so. He now plays a good competitive game with boring straight tee-shots !

The advice given above about flexibility is also a definite must. As seniors, working on strength is largely a waste of time - we just ain't got the responsive muscle mass anymore. But the good news is that at virtually any age you can increase your flexibility and that [i]really[/i] pays dividends for us seniors and goes a long, long way to extending our belated golfing careers..............

Retirement - the best kept secret on the planet !

[stevestrike]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I am looking for some good books on golf flexibility, and maybe something that focuses on seniors. I think the lack of flexibility is what is really hurting him the most.

The stack and tilt is an interesting idea, but I thought that was a young man's swing?

[70sSanO]

My wife has started to play golf with me and although she played a little years back, she was having problems hitting the ball and having pain in her back.

When we were on vacation I had her take a lesson from a woman golf instructor in her 50's. I decided that at this point a woman could help her better than some young male instructor who hits 300+ yards. The intructor worked on her setup and posture and very little on my wife's actual swing. Part of the lesson had to do with focussing on the target not worying about hitting the ball. The lesson worked great, she is hitting the ball better and no longer has any back pain.

My point is that you need to find an instructor who works with seniors and understands the best approach to take to make changes with your father's swing, fitness, etc.

John

[againstthegrain]

Golf instruction, fitness training and physical therapy in combination will help. Trying to change your swing w/out changing your body is impossible later in life.

[stevestrike]

There are two older gentlemen that give lessons where we are. Actually, I'm sure there are more than that, but I personally know two of them. I think my Dad is reluctant to go because he saw what happened to me at GolfTEC which sent me into a spiral of several years of good and bad days, tons of lessons, and a complete revamp of my swing 5 instructors later. Of course, on the other side of it I am a better player now because of all that, but I think he fears he doesn't have time to go down that road.

I'm going to talk to him about the flexibility thing, and I think he'll be able to make some progress. I will also keep suggesting that he go see one of our local instructors, who I think could make some positive change for him.

[Jenner]

I'm certainly not qualified to advise on matters golf but I wouldn't say the stack 'n' tilt swing is strictly for the younger golfer. There is no doubt, however, that flexibility is definitely a factor - particularly when getting it away off the tee !

As for increasing ones flexibility, being well into my 70s, I was somewhat sceptical but I have to admit that stretching exercises were well worth pursuing and, surprisingly, results came sooner rather than later. There are countless golf specific stretching exercises in various golf books etc., (not to mention what you can probably find under google.com) but unfortunately they don't quite go far enough. Based on the advice I was given, by all means encourage your father to run through the golf specific stretches but, as so many of our muscle groups are so dependent on each other, to augment the golf stretches with even a very basic 10 minute elementary yoga 'starter video' would be really productive and the quickest route to positive results.

Good luck with it, I know the pleasure a father gets from playing with his son - hope it helps.

[Zlim]

best thing to is get clubs that fit. and I don't mean go get fitted (but by all means do if you want to pay for it) but I mean clubs that help get the ball air borne and the right flex of golf shafts. Also have him stretch because that will give him a little more power but that that age all power boosts are useful.

[stevestrike]

I did buy him an Adams 15.5* driver with an A flex shaft in it. It really helped his driving game a ton, and that was what put him at 200-220 in the fairway every time. He was short, but very consistent with it. I'm not sure what has changed over the last few years, but his swing has gone from playable to... well, unplayable.