Optimized Golf Practice Plan for Experienced Players

Question
QUESTION: I am a fit 65 year old 5 handicap. I was a 2 handicap 5 years ago and won our club senior championship 3 times. I will now have much more free time and would like to obtain a regime which advises what,how often, how long, and in what order, to practice. Also some direction on physical and mental exercises and diet. I guess I am talking holistic approach.
Could you suggest a regime or regimes that lead me in this direction?

ANSWER: Hello Brian:

Congratulations on your accomplishments.  Very nice.  Before I will attempt to answer these questions, I need to ask "What are your goals in golf?"  What are you looking to achieve?

Once I know your goals, I can suggest some good stuff for you.

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Professional

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Eddie,
Now that I am retiring and will have more practice time, my goal is to learn how to prepare efficiently for competitions coming up this year. I need a focused practice regime and any other advice to prepare me technically, physically and mentally for tournaments.This is a very wide topic and I am looking for a way to narrow it down.
Thanks,
Brian

Answer
Thanks Brian.

I will assume you will practice and / or play 5 days per week to prepare for competition.  With that said, here is a simple, yet effective practice routine.

M, W, F:  Short Game Practice.  I will send you my Short Game Practice sheets to give you more structure to your practice sessions.  You need to send me your personal email address first.  

T, Th:  Long game practice.  

You should practice your short game (chipping, pitching, putting, sand play and wedges) 65% of the time, long game 35% of the time.  

As we get older, we need to develop more feel with the wedges, especially from 50-110 yards.  Make sure you have enough wedges to fit your needs.  I would suggest having a 52 or 54, a 56 and a 60 degree wedge as well as your pitching wedge.  You might not use all four wedges at once, but a combo similar to that will cover most distances you'll practice.  

I would play at least 9 holes twice per week (early morning or late afternoon), and play 18 holes at least once per week (perhaps Saturday).  

A good practice session is not necessarily length in hours, but quality of what it is you are trying to accomplish.  

As far as fitness and flexibility, I highly recommend Roger Fredericks' Flexibility program.  Check it out at http://fredericksgolf.com.  Best I've seen, it's the one I use.  It's great.  
Flexibility is more important than strength as we get older.  You are obviously a good player Brian, and I assume your fitness regimen is OK.  But Roger's program is outstanding and will challenge you...which is a good thing.  

Diet wise, I have no comment.  Do some research online.  There is plenty of info available for you.  

That is a good start.  Send me your personal email address and I'll send you the sheets right away.  

Best of luck and let me know how I can help.  Send me your email.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member