PADRAIG HARRINGTON’S DRIVING STATS
2023 298.8
2007 293.2
Average driving distance (yards) Driver clubhead speed (mph)
118.49
116.24
I PLAY IN PRO-AMS ALMOST EVERY WEEK, AND MEET LOTS OF GOLFERS about my age – I’m 52 – who love the game and have the goal of retiring soon and playing more golf. The problem is many can barely carry the ball 180 metres. In 15 years, they might struggle to fly it 150 – and if that happens, they’re going to get frustrated and likely end up hating the game at a point in life when they should be enjoying it more than ever. It’s one of the reasons I created the YouTube Channel, “Paddy’s Golf Tips.” I wanted to offer some hope to golfers who are getting older and not hitting the ball the way they once did. I felt that way about my game, too, so I did something about it. Working hard on speed with my coach, Michael Jacobs, I’m now swinging faster and hitting it further in my 50s than I was in my 30s – seri-
ously! Here, I’ll share some of the things I learned about how to combat the negative aspects of aging. If you’re over 50, the time to train is now. If you sit back, you risk becoming that golfer who only carries it 160. It’s the old “use it or lose it” adage, and it’s so true when it comes to training those fast-twitch muscles necessary for speed. Read on, and I’ll help you regain some of that pop you lost off the tee. – with luke kerr-dineen
26 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MAY 2024
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