Golf tip: Proper mechanics can offset lost flexibility, power

Golfers lose flexibility and power as they get older, but there are ways to compensate for that with proper mechanics. Such as:

•Allow the left heel to lift on the backswing. One primary source of power is the amount of hip and shoulder rotation you can create. Many instructors tell their students to keep the lead heel on the ground during the takeaway, but that can hinder your rotation.

•Have a slightly narrower stance at address. This helps the ï¬‚exibility issue on both the backswing and follow-through. The ability to rotate and transfer weight is easier when your feet are closer together. Keep the weight on the inside of your right foot during the backswing and initiate the forward motion with a bump of weight to your left side, followed by your hips turning through the impact zone.

•Experiment with a 10-finger grip. This has had surprising results with some of my senior clients. When they go to the 10-finger grip, their wrists hinge more easily. For many, it feels easier to hold the club without too much grip pressure. If you can add a little more hinging of the wrist with a softer pressure of the hands, it should help produce a more fluid swing and more distance.

•Stay relaxed. When a golfer of any age is experiencing frustration, tension is an immediate byproduct. The problem with tension is that it destroys athletic ability. I like to use the scale method of evaluating tension, with 1 being totally relaxed and 10 as tight as you can be. What number are you working with? The lower the better.

•Swing to a complete finish. Another common error as we start to lose power is our attempt to gain back the lost yardage by hitting "at" the ball vs. "through" the ball. Don't let the ball be your target; you goal is to swing toward the real target and feel that you're achieving maximum clubhead speed past the ball.

Kip Puterbaugh operates Aviara Golf Academy in Carlsbad.

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