Driving

How Senior Golfers Can Reclaim Lost Distance Without Swinging Harder

by Erika Larkin June 1, 2026

Erika Larkin Golf Coach

June 1, 2026 2 minutes read

Losing distance as you get older is not inevitable — it often comes down to a few simple mechanics that have quietly slipped away. Golf coach Erika Larkin breaks down three straightforward checkpoints to help senior golfers recover club head speed and add meaningful yards back to their drives. If you feel like your distance has quietly disappeared, this one is worth your time.

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Erika Larkin – Driving

Erika Larkin uses live TrackMan data to show exactly how three adjustments — freeing up the wrists, activating the feet, and committing to a full turn — can add 5 to 10 mph of club head speed without swinging harder. The video is aimed squarely at golfers who have noticed a drop-off in distance and aren’t sure why. Each checkpoint is demonstrated with before-and-after numbers, making the gains easy to understand and believe.

Key Takeaways
Free up your wrist hinge

Stiff or restricted wrists are one of the biggest speed killers for senior golfers — allowing the wrists to hinge freely creates a whipping effect that can add 6 mph or more to your club head speed without any extra physical effort.

Activate your feet and lower body

Letting the lead heel lift on the backswing and actively using the ground through each foot generates power from the ground up, helping to turn the hips and chest rather than relying solely on the arms.

Commit to a full turn and a complete finish

Limiting your backswing or bailing on your follow-through wastes the energy you have built up — aiming for a 90-degree chest turn back and a balanced, held finish allows that stored power to transfer fully through the ball.

Head to the range and work through these three checkpoints one at a time, starting with some simple wrist circles and L-to-L swings before building up to the full motion. This video is particularly well suited to golfers over 65 who feel they have lost distance but haven’t changed their swing — the fixes here are low-effort, well-explained, and backed up with real data.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erika Larkin

PGA Teaching Pro | Founder, True Swing Erika Larkin is a PGA Teaching Pro and the founder of True Swing — a feel-based approach to golf designed to help you find your natural rhythm, play more consistently, and enjoy the game more. With a focus on simple, practical instruction, Erika's lessons cut through the noise and make golf genuinely fun to learn.