The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
Special for Seniors All clubs Seniors ⏱ 5 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Swing for Golfers with Limited Flexibility: Michele Low

Have you lost distance because your body has become stiffer? Michele Low offers advice to senior golfers and those with limited flexibility: a few adjustments at address and during the swing will help you rotate more, hit a slight draw, and hit the ball farther.

▶
ML
Michele Low Golf · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

11 minSame problemKeep Your Driving Speed: Mickelson's MethodPhil Mickelson · Intermediate / Expert / Seniors6 minSame problemDistance for Seniors, Relaxed Swing: Paul WilsonPaul Wilson · Seniors9 minSame problemA Gradual Warm-Up Before Playing: Mike MalaskaMike Malaska · Seniors

What the lesson shows

Michele Low gets a lot of questions from golfers who can no longer find their swing or their distance—either because they’re stiff or because they’re getting older. For them, she prefers a slight draw, which reduces spin on the ball and thus increases distance. At address (for a right-hander), there are three adjustments: Turn the tip of your right foot outward, Move your right foot back about 3 inches and, if you can't finish your rotation, Lift your left heel slightly. With the right foot back, the club path already becomes more in-to-out.

On the downswing, you bring the club back from the inside and extend your arms to the right toward the target, letting the clubface close on its own. You can also turn the tip of your left foot out slightly, if it doesn’t interfere with your rotation. A common mistake: pushing your upper body toward the target to generate power, which results in a low shot to the left. The most important thing is a solid impact with straight arms. For the finish, there’s no need to go all the way: you can bend both elbows, pointing toward the ground, with the end of the grip facing the target, and your chest and hips turned toward the target.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Point the toe of your right foot outward at address (right-handed golfer).
  2. Move your right foot back about 3 inches.
  3. Turn in the backswing; lift your left heel slightly if necessary.
  4. If it doesn't bother you, point your left foot slightly outward.
  5. On the downswing, extend your arms to the right of the target.
  6. Let the clubface close on its own.
  7. Finish by bending both elbows, with your chest and hips facing the target.

Key Takeaways

For a golfer who tends to hit the ball straight, a slight draw results in less spin and more distance.
Right toe turned out, right foot set back about 3 inches.
Keep your left heel slightly raised if you're having trouble rotating.
Arms extended to the right on the downswing; the clubface closes on its own.
Shortened finish: elbows bent toward the floor, tip of the grip pointing toward the target.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Pushing your upper body toward the target to generate power.
  • Forcing a full backswing without lifting your left heel when your body is stiff.
  • Closing the face with your hands instead of letting it rotate on its own.
  • Insisting on a full finish at all costs when you lack flexibility.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Practice swings, right foot turned out and set back, left heel free
  2. Balls hit aiming for a slight draw, arms extended to the right
  3. Finish with your elbows bent, the tip of the grip pointing toward the target

Your Questions

Why try for a draw when you're not very flexible?

According to Michele Low, a slight draw results in less spin on the ball—and therefore more distance—for senior or straight-hitting golfers.

How should you position your feet at the address?

Turn the toe of your right foot out and set your right foot back about 3 inches, which helps you turn and promotes an in-to-out path.

Is it okay to lift your left heel in the backswing?

Yes, a little, if you can’t complete your turn. If you can do it without lifting it, even better.

Is a full finish necessary?

No. It looks better, but a stiff golfer can bend both elbows, pointing them toward the ground, with the tip of the grip facing the target.

Learn More

All “Senior Special” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Golf: 6 Mobility Exercises for People Over 60Mobility, stability, balance: the three weaknesses a fitness trainer often finds in golfers over 60, and two exercises for each. Gary Player's Physical Exercises for GolfAt age 80, Player demonstrates his exercises: back counter-stretches, full squats, elbow-to-knee crunches, the Williams exercise, and properly performed push-ups. Keep Your Driving Speed: Mickelson's MethodHow Mickelson Maintains His Drive Speed as He Ages: A Heavy Club, Speed Clubs on Both Sides, Forward-Leg Drive, and Physical Conditioning.

Video posted on YouTube by its creator. Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros