TOP 5 Golf Tips For Seniors - The Only 5 Tips You'll Ever Need

You've probably searched all over the internet for the best golf tips for seniors. Well, let me reassure you—your search ends here. If you're a senior golfer, you already know that with time, you need to adjust your game to match your body’s changing capabilities. Trust me, I understand because I've worked with many senior golfers over the years. So, let's dive into the BEST GOLF TIPS for SENIORS—the only 5 tips you'll ever need to improve your game.

1. The Three-Quarter Golf Swing for Seniors

The first and most important tip is to shorten your swing. The ideal swing for seniors is a three-quarter golf swing.

Here’s what a 3/4 golf swing looks like:

The 3/4 backswing usually leads your wrists to a shoulder height or even slightly less. But why should you shorten your backswing to three-quarters? Here are three reasons:

• It helps you control the club, be more accurate, and find the right tempo.
• It improves your contact and leads to a more controlled ball flight.
• Most importantly, it’s easier on your body, especially your back.

This is why the 3/4 golf swing is often called the "senior swing" or the "swing for golfers with limited flexibility." Some even refer to it as the "golf swing for seniors over 70" because it doesn’t require you to over-rotate your body to get your arms in the right position.

2. Master Your Short Game

As a senior golfer, you might not always hit the green in regulation due to a decrease in distance, and that’s perfectly okay. You just need to adjust your strategy and make the most of your skills. So, what should you do when you’re 20–50 yards, or even 80 yards short of the green? Master your short game to get the ball up and down for par!

Here are the three shots you need to master:

• A greenside chip
• A greenside bunker shot
• A medium pitch shot from about 40-50 yards out

By mastering these three shots, you’ll cover most situations on the course and see improvement in no time!

3. Develop a Proper Game Plan and Strategy for Every Course

This is one of the most overlooked aspects of golf, not just in senior golf, but overall...not having a proper golf strategy.  

Let me ask you—do you know exactly which club to use for each tee shot on the course, where to aim, and why? What’s your goal with each tee shot? Do you know how to avoid hazards and identify the "safe spots" on the course?

Many recreational golfers make poor judgments and bad shots that lead to unnecessary mistakes and lost strokes. But I’m not just talking about one or two strokes—this could cost you 5-8 strokes each round! 

If you're one of them, the next time you’re preparing to play, take a moment to think about:

• Where are the safe spots on the fairway?
• Where are the safe spots on the green?
• Where’s a good miss and a bad miss? This helps you know exactly where to aim.
• How can you play smarter?
• Which clubs should you choose for your tee shots to minimize risk?

This approach will help you develop a strategy that’s tailored to your game and skill level—a personalized game plan just for you.

4. Warm Up Properly

A simple but highly effective golf tip for seniors is to warm up properly. Not only does this help prevent injuries, but it also enhances your performance. Let me ask you this: if you were preparing to win a Grand Prix, would you prefer to drive a cold car or one that’s well-heated with tires that have good grip? Of course the well-heated!

It’s the same in golf. Your body needs to be warmed up to function optimally, especially for the specific movements required in golf.

5. Focus on Performance, Not Just Swing Technique

One of the most common mistakes in golf is focusing too much on swing technique. While it’s important, it should only take up a portion of your practice time, particularly during the offseason. When you’re looking to play well, your focus should be on performance.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a senior golfer or not - Golf Performance Drills should be your main focus when you visit the driving range. These drills can help you improve and control your clubface position, manage your distance, and enhance your ball striking - all without spending countless hours perfecting your technique.

Performance drills are simple yet highly effective. They won’t mess up your technique but will help you with your contact and clubface control.

Conclusion

As a senior golfer, adapting your game to match your body's evolving needs is key to maintaining, and even improving your performance on the course.

By focusing on these golf tips for seniors - on a three-quarter swing, mastering your short game, developing a solid strategy, warming up properly, and prioritizing performance over technique, you can continue to enjoy golf and play at a high level. Remember, golf is a game that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, and with these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to make the most of every round. Keep practicing, stay smart, and most importantly, have fun out there!

Golf Tips For Seniors - FAQ

What Are the Best Senior Golf Swing Drills?

As I mentioned earlier, your focus should be on performance, not just your swing. To enhance your performance, you need to follow a performance-based practice routine. It's a topic that deserves its own detailed blog post, but to keep it brief—practice as you would play on the golf course. Switch up your clubs, hit a variety of shots, and you’ll see improvements in your score.

What’s the Easiest Golf Swing for Seniors?

The easiest swing for seniors is the three-quarter golf swing, which we've already discussed in this article. However, if I had to pick one specific swing, I'd say the most straightforward and beneficial for your game is a three-quarter swing with a wedge (such as a sand wedge or pitching wedge). This will help you improve your short game, allowing you to save pars and bogeys, and quickly enhance your overall game.

What About a Senior Golf Driver Swing? Should It Also Be Three-Quarters Long?

In short, yes. The driver swing for seniors should also be three-quarters long. While it may sometimes feel like a full swing, you shouldn’t force it. Some senior golfers struggle to generate enough speed and power with a 3/4 driver backswing, so you can turn a bit more—perhaps up to 90% of a full backswing—but that’s the limit. You might also slightly lift your front heel during the backswing to help with your turn, but that's as far as you should go. Remember, accuracy always beats distance.

How Far Does Senior Golfers Usually Hit Their Clubs?

If you're wondering what's the average senior golf shot distance for every golf club in their bag, take a look at this senior golf distance chart.