Flexibility as you get older is very important, it lets you wind up your body to hit the ball with more power, and swinging a pole can help you do this as well as fix your release point
Many slicers set up with their right shoulder too high, prior to bending over to get in to your stance try tilting your right shoulder slightly down then take your stance, this will allow your body to work more around your right side and eliminate that steep downswing
Utilize the bounce of the club, square the clubface and body line and play it like a pitch shot