Action Plan
The Pro Golf Gals, Anne Rollo and Dennise Hutton, offer advice on how to adjust your golf game as you age, focusing on three main areas: fitness/flexibility, club distance awareness, and equipment updates.

1. Fitness and Injury Management

• Stay Fit: Realize that as you age, you will naturally lose speed and flexibility unless you actively stay fit.
• Manage Injuries: Be proactive about injury management (e.g., strapping up, physiotherapy) to keep playing comfortably.
• Acceptance: Accept that you are not going to hit the ball as far as you once did. The goal is to be out on the course and having fun, not dwelling on past distances.

2. Strategic Club Choice & Distance

• Take More Club: A direct consequence of reduced distance is the need to take more club on approach shots.
• Know Your Distances: A common issue for all golfers (not just aging ones) is not knowing their true carry distances.
  • Tip: Start by practicing a 100-meter shot to establish which club you hit that distance, and then work up and down from there.
• Embrace Hybrids: Hybrids are recommended, especially for women and older golfers, because they require a sweeping action, which is easier than hitting down on the ball (which demands more strength).

3. Equipment & Fitting

• Get Fitted: It is crucial to have clubs that are exactly right for your strength, size, and shape.
• Keep Equipment Up-to-Date: Regularly check and update your equipment. This means getting properly fitted for your current swing.
• The Right Shaft: You must ensure you have the correct shafts that suit you. If the shaft’s flexibility is matched to your current strength, you will get the absolute maximum distance you can personally get from that club without injury.
• Bio-Swing Dynamics: Realize that as you get older, your bio-swing dynamics change, making regular screening and fitting necessary.

Questions and Answers

Q: According to the Pro Golf Gals, what two things are aging golfers naturally going to lose?
A: Speed and some of their flexibility (unless they stay fit).

Q: What is the most important club selection adjustment aging golfers should make?
A: They must be willing to take more club than they used to for a given distance.

Q: Why do Anne and Denise recommend using hybrids more than irons for older golfers?
A: Hybrids are better suited for a “sweeping action,” which is easier than the “hitting down” action required for irons and demands less strength.

Q: What specific advice do they give for golfers who don’t know their current club distances?
A: Start with a 100-meter shot, determine which club hits that distance, and use that as a benchmark to figure out the rest of the set.

Q: Why is getting professionally fitted and updating shafts critical for older golfers?

A: To ensure the shaft’s flexibility matches their current (and changing) strength and swing dynamics, maximizing distance and preventing injury.