Any recommendations on materials (reading, video, etc) that are geared to a senior golfers who needs to rebuild a body/swing?

Its for me, the past 18 months has taken more than its toll on my body and golf swing.  Swing speed is in the 40s and 50s, yardage loss is 40 to 60 yards (PW - Driver). 

    Sorry I can't help with vids or books but I can tell you what happened to me. I always put my clubs away for the season in the fall and pick them back up in the spring. The year I turned 70 in December 2019 I put the clubs up. Over the winter I bought a new set of Pings. In the spring when I got them out I was hitting them 20 yards shorter than my old irons and sent them back. When I got my old irons out (several sets) I was also 20 yards short. I had lost driver distance as well. I fought with it all summer and finally accepted that father time had done his thing. After I finally accepted that what I had game wise is what I had and just adjusted to my new distances. My group also moved up to the geezer tees. And all was well until I injured my left arm and shoulder two years ago and haven't played since. Your situation could be totally different than mine but I wanted to share my experience.

    LBlack14
    Aug 2022 had covid, 2 weeks later tests revealed stage 4 lung cancer. 15 months, every 3 weeks of chemo has taken its toll, I'm stubborn and refuse to quit golf completely but mentally my performance is difficult to accept, physically it sucks

      Martee Aug 2023 had covid, 2 weeks later tests revealed stage 4 lung cancer. 15 months, every 3 weeks of chemo has taken its toll, I'm stubborn and refuse to quit golf completely but mentally my performance is difficult to accept, physically it sucks

      In Aug 2021 I had an accident and broke my left arm humerus and messed up my left shoulder. The break up near the joint never healed. Multiple surgeons told me that if surgery is attempted there is a high risk that would make it worse and if I can live with it as is that was my best option. So, I have a very limited range of motion and can barely lift up a gallon of milk. I have tried hitting some range balls with awful results. I haven't tried a round on the course but my buds have convinced me to give it a try and just enjoy the comradery and day out which I plan to do soon if I can swing with no pain. I was always competitive when playing golf. Any scores in the 70's was a good day and above that not so good. So, after 62 years of golf that is gone. I just hope getting out with my buds will suffice. I hope that works. I miss golf but I guess you have to play the hand dealt to you. Good luck to you and hope your health improves. My wife just got her first chemo a few days ago for a lung issue. We have our fingers crossed.

        Martee A suggestion look at Positive Impact Golf written by Brian Sparks a book (paperback or Kindle) available on Amazon and a swing technique that is about using as much of a full range of motion that your body allows you to do. It is NOT a resistance modern PGA swing. Philip Sparks now runs his YouTube channel as Brian has passed away. https://www.youtube.com/@Easiestswing/featured

        You probably can learn enough by reading the book and watching videos to help achieve some ability of a smooth non-resistance swing. I think that's the key to golfers with health issues is that they maybe trying to swing with too much resistance to form power formed from prior golf experience.

        Manuel De La Torre is the other suggestion that is somewhat like PIG. Manuel played into his 90's at a modicum of success over his senior years. Manuel's book Understanding the Golf Swing is also also available on Amazon.

        Both PIG and MDLT swing are timing swings based on some shift. The other swings that may work are not weight shift swing guys like Jim Venetos and Tom Saguto are more static over ball and set up based. You'll have to figure out what works best for you.

        In any case from one senior to another I hope your health is better and you get out on to the green grass this year!

          Martee Damn. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you can get back to a place that's acceptable to you and be healthy. Being competitive keeps us going, I get it. I wish you the best!

          Sorry to hear about your health issues. We're all getting weaker with time but you fell victim to a shortcut. I don't know how much strength you'll be able to regain, so my only suggestion is to play the forward tees and try to find a swing that optimizes what motion you can replicate. @scotts33 suggestions are really good, especially the late Brian Sparks. His swing was effortlessly gorgeous. Best wishes to you đŸ€žđŸ™

            One of these for off the tee boxes and then just use your wedges & putter
your playing partners will be jealous.

            scotts33

            Ah ha, some interesting input. I do have the books you referenced, but it will take some time to dig them out of storage.

            Shift is out with my balance that becomes more of sway reverse weight movement. (After reading your post, I did a bit of range/simulator work).

            Sparks/Herron/Mellor - Easiest Swing in Golf: That is more what fit my body. JV/TS need to refresh myself on them as it has been a while.

            Will go back read/view these suggestions, if nothing else I think it is fair to avoid shifting since I don't seem to be able to do it. This might help me not lose balance during the swing or follow through.

            "Non-Resistance Swing"...

            Thanks

            sdandrea1 my only suggestion is to play the forward tees and try to find a swing that optimizes what motion you can replicate."

            Sounds like good advice..

            Martee
            Sorry to hear of your problem, and I go along with a lot of the good advice that I've read above (I use the Jim Venetos swing myself, but it sounds like there are other methods for you to try as well). I'm 78, but already thinking about what I'll do as I continue to age and distance leaves me. I'm swinging senior shafts now, but I'm sure there'll be a time when they become too stiff. I think Papa D messes around with ladies shafts, and I know they make them in BLACK, so
            I imagine that's the route I'll go eventually.....after all, how many of your buddies ask "what flex shaft did you use on that shot?"

            I’d forget about score or how much distance you’ve lost. Just try to hit the best shots you can. The count I’d only be interested in is how many quality solid shots you hit.

            Martee I remember back in 2021 after my 7 week rad/chemo treatments when I started playing again. I had a difficult time getting the ball in the air. Appeared I was playing croquet. With my weight loss,my timing was all messed up. Father time didn't help either. Went to graphite and closer tees. Just learned to enjoy the game.
            Given two of my buddies recently died of cancer, I now count my blessings more than my score. Good luck.

            In general, as golfers age they have less and less forward shaft lean with hybrids and irons/wedges hence add loft and hit more "fat" shots which give a general fade and lose distance. That penetrating lower trajectory turns into a ballooning high trajectory shot. Venetos yield a draw thru set up. Jim posted this last week.

            Tom Saguto is kinda S&T based but I find his technique not hard to replicate and for me not hard on our senior bodies.

            Both swings are forward weight, no sway, forward shaft lean, straighter top hand arm for consistent impact all of this promotes hitting lower penetrating shots with powerful impact. As your club head speed dwindles all of these factors are better to maintain than lose. What I think what happens is as we can't develop good club head speed our positions get less and less good impact. We chalk it up to age which partially it is but also have lost good impact position.

            I’m thinking bat this point you don’t want to completely change your swing like alot of these guys who teach their “methods” require. I would look for small adjustments to your current swing which is probably sound. Things like making sure you right foot flares out some at address so you get more turn in your backswing. Have your front door flared as well so you clear your hips better. Like Steve said, move up to the most forward tees. In your spare time swing a weighted club or take an old driver and swing it with the headcover on it. You’ll have to wrap tape around the neck of the headcover so it doesn’t fly off. This will help lengthen your swing some which in turn will add some speed without changing your swing.

            No need to take mighty lashes at the ball for ball to go far. On average a 1/2 swing will yield as much distance as a full swing. Hence, if golfer is not able to take full swings then a 1/4 swing will probably be a 1/2 swing. That's the mindset I would use when having balance, mobility or non-ability to turn much. I'd guess with a little 1/4 swings one won't over extend or hurt themselves that's where I'd be going Martee. I know in the past, I have played with 1/2 swings and did better on average than with the mindset of full swings. It's more the mental side than the physical side trying to change your mindset on how to play the game. I like Brian Sparks PIG and Manuel De La Torre's books cuz it covers the mental side of golf. Brian and Manuel don't talk about your body, hands, arms etal need to be here-there etc.

            I have a senior friend who has gone much the same issues as yourself, Martee and we now can walk 9 in 2 hours playing 2700 yards. It took him 2 seasons to work up the stamina to walk 9 but he found that the walk was as important as playing the game. His outlook changed immeasurably.

              scotts33 Hence, if golfer is not able to take full swings then a 1/4 swing will probably be a 1/2 swing. That's the mindset I would use when having balance, mobility or non-ability to turn much.

              Well with bad left arm, weak knees from surgery, and bad back with limited turn looks like a half swing is the way for me to go and just take a smooth swat at it. I have used the interlock grip all of my life. I wondered if a ten finger grip might give me a little more strength if I can control it?

              I got a bit encouraged reading this thread that last few days and cleaned up my golf stuff in the workshop and started giving thought to putting a bag together for spring. Start with the 18° Sooolong driver, heavy sole rescues (perfect club) in leiu of fairways and the Acer Flipper and Acer chipper for short game. Now, which irons or hybrids to add. My apologies Martee if this is going off on a tangent.

                Rickochet I wondered if a ten finger grip might give me a little more strength if I can control it?

                Sure can't hurt to try it Rick though the more grip pressure the more you want to "hit" it. â˜ș

                If, I am working on the game to get back out and play all I do is work on 100 yards and in. Pitch shots from various distances, chipping and putting. None of those types of swings should cause much harm physically. And we all know that's where we score. Become deadly with the short game and long shots won't matter as much.