Updated on March 14th, 2023 at 04:13 pm

Losing distance as we age is sort of like the elephant in the room for most golfers. We all know it will happen to us at some point, but it’s a terrible thought. The more we can keep our driving distance and iron distance high, the better chances of a low score.

Sometimes knowing when this change is going to happen is smart. You can prepare and maybe make some changes to the golf game to help you get that extra yardage.

Around the age of fifty, golfers start to lose distance in their game. As you move towards sixty and seventy, the changes are much more pronounced and noticeable. At the age of 70, you will see many golfers switch to senior tees simply because of distance loss.

Why do golfers lose distance with age - AEC InfoGolfers that start in their twenties may see that by the time they are nearing fifty, there is a loss in the distance. The thing is, as technology gets better, it gets easier to hit the ball further.

Therefore these slight distance losses don’t have that much of an impact. Be sure to see our recent post on Golf iron distances.

However, at that 70-year-old mark, our bodies start to perform differently, turn differently, and work at a slower rate. This is the age golfers will consider switching to senior shafts and moving up tees. The good news is that there are some things that Senior golfers can do to help increase swing speed and total distance.

Tips To Maintain Golf Distances As You Get Older

As a golfer ages, there is no reason to simply accept the distance loss. As your body changes, you will notice that distance will start to become more difficult, but it doesn’t have to become impossible. Here are some tips to help you get more yards even after 60 years old.

Walk Daily

Walking has been proven to be one of the best ways to fight any type of issues that come along with again. If you can walk every day or almost every day, you will notice that your body feels more limber, and you don’t have as much trouble turning.

In addition, you can decrease the fatigue that you feel on the golf course. When you get towards the 18th hole, chances are you are losing some speed, and walking daily could help make the difference.

Stretch

Each morning you should stretch your arms, legs, back, neck, etc. Stretch your entire body not just before you head to the course but every day. Golfers that are getting older are limited in power because of their range of motion.

Implementing a stretch training regime will ensure that you can get the club into the same positions you could when you were younger.

Diet Changes

Even the average golfer has realized that having a hot dog in the middle of a round is not the smartest food choice. When you eat foods that make you feel lethargic or tired, it will decrease your swing speed.

Have you noticed that most professional golfers are eating granola bars and having water or energy drinks. They are being careful what they put into their body.

Golf Equipment

Senior golfers are lucky in the fact that there is an entire line of golf equipment for those that need more distance from the tee and the fairway. Golf equipment shaft options for seniors are getting lighter and more responsive. If you want to hit the golf ball high and get a soft landing on the greens without losing distance, there are shafts out there.

Take A Lesson

Every golfer that feels as though they are losing distance should take a golf lesson. When you go to your lesson, make sure the professional know that you are not hitting the ball as far as you used to.

Maybe the difference is a physical change in your body, or maybe your swing needs some work. Either way, it is important to understand how distance is lost and what you can do about it.

Additional Golf Instruction reviews:

Frequently Asked Questions

As you can probably imagine, distance is a popular topic of discussion among golfers. Older golfers have many questions about what to expect and what they can do to ensure playing golf is still fun for years to come.

What Causes Loss Of Carry In Golf Swing?

Lost distance in a golf swing is caused by decreased rotation and speed. If you can’t swing the club back into the positions you were once capable of, and your overall speed slows down, you won’t hit the ball as far. As golfers get older, the accuracy of shots gets more and more important because the power tends to fade away a bit.

Older golfers with efficient and speedy swings can maintain distance in the game well into their eighties.

Do Golf Clubs Lose Yardage With Age?

If you play with very old golf equipment, you could be losing distance. Over time the golf equipment you are playing with will start to decrease in performance. A driver or an iron is only meant to be hit a certain number of times. If you have a driver in play for the last 20 years, it may be time to consider an upgrade.

Typically most golf equipment is replaced before it starts to lose its distance, but the best way to test this is on a launch monitor.

Can a Golf Driver Lose Distance Over Time?

Not only will a golf driver lose distance over time, the longer you wait to upgrade your golf driver, the further away you are getting from relevant technology. Typically speaking, driver distance with a new club should stay pretty consistent for about 5 to 7 years.

If you play a lot of golf, you may start noticing that you’re losing five to ten yards every year with the club. At this point, you may want to consider putting a new driver into play.

Want to see the how far the average golfer hits each club? Check out AEC Info’s recent post on average distances of each golf club here.

Changing golf equipment each year is not necessary unless you are one of the guys on tour. Most average golfers look to update equipment every 4-8 years so that you get the best of the technology available.