How much distance do you lose with age?

[Pushy]

I turned 60 this year and  by odd coincidence I do seem to lost a lot of distance.  But it's been fairly sudden, and I suspect swing flaws are more to blame than old age per se, because I am really struggling hitting anything right now.  But when I do make what feels like solid contact it just doesn't go as far as it used to.   I do have some arthritis in my left hip that I suspect is hampering a proper turn and weight shift to the left side.  Could be a factor.  I'm considering a driver fitting with a monitor.  It would be interesting to see what my swing speed is.  It was in the 90s at one time but I suspect it hovers near 80 these days.

[GangGreen]

I'm 45 and picked up the clubs again this summer and I've noticed a 5-10 yard drop-off in my overall distance compared to when I used to play in my late 20's. Clearly, part of the drop off is the pure rust factor having not played for so many years but I also believe that's been partly offset by the benifits of better equipment these days. My lack of fitness is also a definite contributing factor, particularly later in rounds. Never been in great shape, but I hit the wall a lot faster these days and the swing starts getting pretty sloppy...one more reason I need to get in shape.

[Hardballs]

only when your losing 10 yrds on a 20yrd chip do you need to worry! ;-)

[Lookingfortruth]

I’m 67 boys and one of the shorter hitters in my Saturday group. ..Of those around 65 I would say 230/40 is about the average some are a bit longer… I get around 220, that’s on a flattish fairway and not wind assisted. However I also have health issues rheumatics, arthritis in the back, all the old mans stuff… In saying that with my mid week groups. I’m one of the longer hitters, but quite a few 70s guys in these groups. Be sure whatever you are hitting now you will loose yardage with age… How much will depend on the individual and their current swing type. I find the guys with quick hands compensate very well against the loss of flexibility and fitness.. Note however, that I play a 6800 yard links course which is also a British Open pre-qualifying venue. So not easy. And as you can see. I have a genuine 11.7 national handicap and have even won a trophy this year.

PS: I compensate with a good short game.

Enjoy your golf

[GaijinGolfer]

It really depends how much flexibility and muscle mass you lose.

[Acuna]

Man, this thread makes me wish I took up golf when I was younger.  I am 35 and started playing this past April.  Sounds like I could start to lose distance as soon as I gain it.

[hacker101]

Man, this thread makes me wish I took up golf when I was younger.  I am 35 and started playing this past April.  Sounds like I could start to lose distance as soon as I gain it.

Acuna if that is all you lose then you are in good shape, I am 50 and a few yards is the least of my worry!

[Acuna]

You lose what you don't use

[MS256]

I'm 57 years old and started playing when I was 48 so I have no reference to what I might have done when I was much younger and much stronger.

I seem to have lost a few yards (maybe 5 yards) from my best drives a few years ago but I hit so many more of my best drives now that my average driving distance is longer now.

When I started playing I had more muscle and weighed 225 lbs. with a BMI of 28. In an effort to improve my BMI I lost quite a bit of muscle along with the fat and now I weigh 185 lbs. with a BMI of 20.

The loss of muscle didn't have nearly the effect on my driving distance that I would have thought. It seems that (for me anyway) hand speed is more important than strength and I can't tell that I've lost any hand speed.

[newtogolf]

I'm 48 and gaining yardage but that's most likely because I only started playing seriously at 46 and didn't know how to swing a club as well as I do today.

[hockeyp21]

I've lost yardage with age -- for sure.   At 60, I can now only drive 500 yards -- still using a pitching wedge off to tee because I tend to over-drive every hole.

[Lihu]

I've lost yardage with age -- for sure.   At 60, I can now only drive 500 yards -- still using a pitching wedge off to tee because I tend to over-drive every hole.

Yeah, I seem to have that issue too, but my PW rolls out too far. . .

Welcome to this site, it certainly needs a bit more humor!

[Fourputt]

Since a troll managed to regurgitate this thread, I'll pick it up back on topic.

I'm now 68.  I have seen a noticeable drop in distance over the last 6 years.  However, some of that is attributable to more than just age.  I lived for more than 2 years in a place where there was no golf.  I missed almost 3 seasons during what is a fairly critical period agewise.  As a result I was struggling to hit my driver even 200 yards until just recently when I was able to step outside of myself and take a good look at my swing.  I figured out at least part of what I was doing wrong (my takeaway had become so flat that I could just about have swung under a 7 foot ceiling, and I'm almost 6'2"), and because of that my swing is close to being back on track, and my drives in particular are back up into the 230-240 range (I was only 250-270 in my prime).

Just pointing out that there are more factors than just age in declining distance, and distance loss with age doesn't have to be as dramatic as some earlier posts tried to indicate.

[boogielicious]

Since a troll managed to regurgitate this thread, I'll pick it up back on topic.

I'm now 68.  I have seen a noticeable drop in distance over the last 6 years.  However, some of that is attributable to more than just age.  I lived for more than 2 years in a place where there was no golf.  I missed almost 3 seasons during what is a fairly critical period agewise.  As a result I was struggling to hit my driver even 200 yards until just recently when I was able to step outside of myself and take a good look at my swing.  I figured out at least part of what I was doing wrong (my takeaway had become so flat that I could just about have swung under a 7 foot ceiling, and I'm almost 6'2"), and because of that my swing is close to being back on track, and my drives in particular are back up into the 230-240 range (I was only 250-270 in my prime).

Just pointing out that there are more factors than just age in declining distance, and distance loss with age doesn't have to be as dramatic as some earlier posts tried to indicate.

Maintaining flexibility and core strength will help slow the ravages of time too.  I'm 55 and I work on it constantly.

[vangator]

Since a troll managed to regurgitate this thread, I'll pick it up back on topic.   I'm now 68.  I have seen a noticeable drop in distance over the last 6 years.  However, some of that is attributable to more than just age. I lived for more than 2 years in a place where there was no golf. I missed almost 3 seasons during what is a fairly critical period agewise.  As a result I was struggling to hit my driver even 200 yards until just recently when I was able to step outside of myself and take a good look at my swing.  I figured out at least part of what I was doing wrong (my takeaway had become so flat that I could just about have swung under a 7 foot ceiling, and I'm almost 6'2"), and because of that my swing is close to being back on track, and my drives in particular are back up into the 230-240 range (I was only 250-270 in my prime). Just pointing out that there are more factors than just age in declining distance, and distance loss with age doesn't have to be as dramatic as some earlier posts tried to indicate.

Did you serve your full sentence or did you get out on early parole? :-D I'm 58 and have been playing over 40 years and I've definitely lost yardage. I used to be a long hitter, consistently hitting the ball to the lollipops. Now I hit to the black and white candy cane (150 yard marker). Used to be I could reach almost any par 5, even the 600 yarders. Now I'm laying up on the 500 yarders.

[Fourputt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Since a troll managed to regurgitate this thread, I'll pick it up back on topic.

I'm now 68.  I have seen a noticeable drop in distance over the last 6 years.  However, some of that is attributable to more than just age.  I lived for more than 2 years in a place where there was no golf.  I missed almost 3 seasons during what is a fairly critical period agewise.  As a result I was struggling to hit my driver even 200 yards until just recently when I was able to step outside of myself and take a good look at my swing.  I figured out at least part of what I was doing wrong (my takeaway had become so flat that I could just about have swung under a 7 foot ceiling, and I'm almost 6'2"), and because of that my swing is close to being back on track, and my drives in particular are back up into the 230-240 range (I was only 250-270 in my prime).

Just pointing out that there are more factors than just age in declining distance, and distance loss with age doesn't have to be as dramatic as some earlier posts tried to indicate.

Did you serve your full sentence or did you get out on early parole?

I'm 58 and have been playing over 40 years and I've definitely lost yardage. I used to be a long hitter, consistently hitting the ball to the lollipops. Now I hit to the black and white candy cane (150 yard marker). Used to be I could reach almost any par 5, even the 600 yarders. Now I'm laying up on the 500 yarders.

Long Island in the Bahamas.  No golf there and anywhere reasonably close was too costly, even without having to travel to get there.  Exuma had a course that would have cost me a minimum of $650 for air fare and green fees for one round)

[Natural Patrick]

I'm 48 and over the past 3 years I have lost about 10yds per iron and 20yds with the driver. I have been playing golf for 40 years, so I'm not going to get into how far I use to hit the ball years ago. This is what I can tell you from my own personal experience. My health and fitness have been on a downward trend for a very long time. I have never ate right. I eat what I want and when I want and not healthy foods. I drink way to much. I have never worked out. I do walk about 3 miles a day and ride my bike a couple times a month but that is about it. I can still shoot in the upper 70's for a round of 18 a couple times a month but, my lifestyle is catching up to me very quickly. So for me it's a health and fitness issue more so than age.

[Patch]

I have lost around 10% - 15% distance in my longer clubs, but I don't attribute much of that to getting older. Being in the wrong spot at the wrong time, and multiple surgeries is the major culprit. I have kept most of my short club distances, and have gained a bit more accuracy in my long clubs due to having to swing slower. I can still get around most courses on one side of 80 or the other. These days, in my game, it's my putting that dictates my end score. Chipping, and putting has no age limitations.