One of the hardest things for experienced golfer to accept is the decline in their game over time, especially when they reach a certain age. A friend of mine, is nearing in on 60-years of age and has been a single figure golfer since he was just 14. Quite a remarkable feat for a gentleman that spent much of his working life travelling across the world with the gas and oil trade.
Just shy of a year ago, we were playing together when he mentioned how he wishes he could hit the ball the way he used to; A low, penetrating ball flight that would have a beautiful draw on it. His ball flight now has become higher and has caused a loss of distance and his beautiful draw is rarely seen.
Don´t get me wrong my friend still hits a great ball and is one of the few people I know that are more accurate with a 2-iron than a 7-iron, but you can see how “hurt” he is with the downturn in his form and ability. Still competing of a 7 handicap my friend is still one of the lowest handicappers at the club, but his struggles are always at the forefront.
We began talking the other day about how his ball flight had changed, quite dramatically over the last 3 or 4 years. As a coach I was intrigued, it didn´t make sense that a guy who had played for 45 years was suddenly experiencing a completely new shot shape. I questioned him about the clubs he was using and the clubs he had been using more recently.
He answered “well, I am using a set of cavity backs now and have resigned myself to having to use a regular shaft. Before, I always used blades and the shaft was always a little stiffer”.
BINGO!!!! I thought, there is the answer.
The change from is life-long friend the blade to a cavity back was reason enough for the change in his ball flight. A cavity back after all is designed to reduce the amount we can “work” or move the ball, resulting in straighter shots. Couple this with the lower COG and you get a straighter, higher ball-flight.
If we then consider the change in shaft, because he “assumed” that he was too old to hit a stiffer shaft and voila!!! The answer to his dramatic change is right in front of us. I recommended to my friend to make only one change, either shaft or head type. Why? Because both things at the same time is just too much and he had a preference to a bladed club he could use to manipulate the ball flight if required. After some thought we decided that he should have his beloved blades re-shafted with a slightly softer shaft, that would help to compensate for the reduction in swing speed.
The result was incredible, my friend has found a new confidence and although he has lost a bit f distance his low, penetrating ball flight is back and he is happier with the “look” of his game. His handicap is going back down and his confidence is growing.
The moral of the story is this; Regardless of what manufacturers or shop assistants say, if you are not happy with how a certain club looks, feels or performs then don´t buy it. You must be comfortable with your weapons and that is something that is purely personal.
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