Jason Rivkin is a Managing Partner and TPI-Certified Golf Fitness Professional at FitGolf Performance Centers in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
Jason Rivkin on the importance of coaching the technical and physical aspects of golf to middle-aged and senior golfers:
The middle-aged and senior golfer represent the majority of active golfers today. They are highly engaged, play frequently, invest in lessons and equipment and are motivated to improve. Yet, they are also the group most likely to experience plateaus, inconsistency, loss of distance and recurring pain. A common thread underlying these challenges is a mismatch between how we coach the swing and what the body is capable of producing. As golfers age, several physiological changes begin to impact performance. These changes are largely predictable:
- Decline in joint mobility, particularly in the hips, spine, ankles and shoulders
- Reduced strength and stability
- Decreased rate of force production and power output
- Lower tolerance to volume and slower recovery
Each of these factors can influence movement individually. Collectively, they reshape how a golfer organizes his or her swing. However, what makes this population challenging is that these changes do not present uniformly. Two golfers of the same age and handicap can display very different movement capabilities and very different swing patterns. In many cases, the patterns instructors are trying to correct are not simply technical errors; they are compensations. For example:
- Early extension may reflect limited hip internal rotation, ankle mobility or an inability to control pelvic movement
- Loss of posture can be tied to poor posture
- Over-the-top patterns may stem from restricted thoracic rotation
From the golfer’s perspective, these patterns are functional. They allow the player to produce speed, make contact and complete the swing within their current physical constraints. The issue arises when we attempt to coach these patterns purely from a technical standpoint, without accounting for why they exist. This often leads to frustration on both sides. The golfer understands the instruction but cannot execute it consistently. The instructor repeats the cue or drill, but the underlying limitation remains. Effective coaching is not just about teaching positions and movements; it is about helping golfers produce efficient, repeatable movement within the capabilities of their bodies.
Jason Rivkin on the business impact of coaching the technical and physical aspects of golf to middle-aged and senior golfers:
To effectively coach the middle-aged and senior golfer, a shift in approach is required. This does not mean abandoning technical instruction, but rather integrating it with an understanding of physical capacity. Identify what the body can and cannot do. Understand that not all limitations are immediately changeable. Significant restrictions in joint mobility or long-standing asymmetries may require dedicated intervention and time. Attempting to force positions that the body cannot access often leads to compensations elsewhere. A simple screening process — whether formal or observational — can provide valuable insight into these limitations. If a golfer cannot achieve a movement despite a clear understanding and repeated attempts, it is often a sign that the limitation is physical. Making this distinction early can save time and improve outcomes. Be aware that older golfers generally have a lower tolerance for high-volume practice and require more recovery between sessions. This has implications for how lessons are structured. Prioritize quality over quantity. Reduce excessive repetition. Allow time for adaptation. This personalization of your player development programming will benefit your students greatly. As the golfing population continues to age, the ability to coach within these realities becomes increasingly important. The question is no longer just how to teach the swing. It is about teaching the swing that the body in front of you can actually produce.
If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email jrivkin@fitgolf.com.
