First, I would consider the AP1 irons with lighter shafts...

Second, I would say the ProV1 golf ball is probably right for you especially if you prefer a softer feeling ball.

Good Luck!

I would concur with Chris's comment. Even without your back issues, age catches up with our body and we lose our flexibility. I had shoulder surgery last summer and waited 6 months before I started playing again. I am 69 years old and it just takes longer for our bodies to recover. I would suggest that after your surgery and you are given the green light to start playing again, I would go to a professional fitter who has the up to date doplar radar machines like Trackman and find out exactly what shafts and clubs best suit your situation. If you have not played in 6 years you will be surprised of the technology that have gone into making golf clubs easier to hit and regain distance lost due to age or injury. Treat your self with a brand new set of clubs. I wish you well.

MB

Sorry to hear about your health issues. It's inspiring to hear that your had played the game of golf for as long as you have with a fair degree of success. Hopefully you can regain your strength after a successful surgey and get back on the golf course. Getting back into the game will probably require changing out your shafts to something that will enhance your swing based on your physical strength, your flexibility, and physical tolerance. So I would recommend seeing a club fitter. One very important considerstion I believe is you should give some thought about your swing. Some golf instructors teaching methods are more "back friendly" than many other teachers so if I were you I would give this a lot of thought and consideration too. I did a cursory look on the Internet and found there were many articles and i formation that addresses this topic. Here is a Sean Foley article that was published in Golf Digest's magazine (March 2010) that offers tips to make your swing less stressful on your back. There is much more information out there too but I would encourage you to seek out a PGA teaching pro who could work with you to bring you along so you are pleased with your game and not putting any unnessary stresses on your back. Who knows...maybe in short order you can get back and finally shoot your age! That is something I hope I can accomplish someday and what keeps pushing my game. Hope your recovery is short and hope your feeling better soon.

Best Wishes,

DV

www.golfdigest.com/.../save-your-back-foley

Your new numbers are within range of many your age. They're doing great things with sports medicine. Working your way back to the best condition you can be will be important. You would have lost some even w/o getting hurt, so lighter shafts and more forgiving clubs will help as well. Good luck in getting back into the swing.

I can 100% relate. I've had 3 back surgeries. Tried the stimulator but it just wasn't for me. I've since had a pain pump implanted. They fused L5-S1 and inserted rods and screws also. I've been fighting this for 6 years now. I have really bad arthritis in my back and hands too.

Point of all this is don't give up hope. I was long off the tee before as well. I'm about 2-3 clubs up from where I used to be. Our male egos sometimes suffer but you can adjust your game to compensate. That said, I personally went with the AP1's. I just am not able to work the ball like I used to. And I really like the forgiveness of the AP1's when I'm a little tighter on some days and not striking the ball well.

Good luck and stay positive.