How to Improve as a Senior (60+)

[Rippy_72]

19 hours ago, JuliWooli said:

I know it but only ever passed through. Siemens ist Erlangen.

Hast du Google Übersetzer benützt oder kannst du noch Deutsch reden?

I did study for 6 months by hiring a tutor (a colleague's wife who was on maternity leave),  I can understand what you wrote but it has been 20 years since I went there much on business.  I can order a schufule, Kartoffelknödel, and Weisse bier but not much more at this point. French is better, was nearly fluent at one point.  Getting old is terrible.  Entschuldigung

8 hours ago, JuliWooli said:

His rotary cuff injury has existed for over 30 years and after only one stretching session, with me, he is experiencing more flexibility. We will be keeping that up.

 I had a very difficult time swinging with a partially torn rotator cuff and it was painful to put my coat on or reach for the seat belt etc.   It took me some stubborn years to get mine fixed.  Best decision I have ever made.  Have your dad get a medical opinion on his.  A rotator cuff issue could certainly make him lose distance.  My bad one was the left and I am right handed although I play hockey left handed, go figure.

[JuliWooli]

3 hours ago, Billy Z said:

I'm not sure exactly the op's real intentions are, but if I were asking advice for the sake of my father I would use the term father, dad, but not 'old man'. Also, when competing with him I probably think the better terminology would be I beat him, or won the match, not whipped his ass. Sorry to be so critical, but I think there are more appropriate ways to discuss a subject. Sometimes we all say things in ways that are not the best, but this is just my opinion. Also, I wish my handicap were 5 instead of 14 !

I refer to him directly as 'dad' but he's my old man, it's an affectionate term that he also uses.

My God, I worship the guy.

And BTW, I didn't just beat him I totally whipped his ass.

When we are having a tight match and he has just stiffed his approach on the eighteenth, he normally bellows,

"You're f***ed now!"

I always laugh.

[Billy Z]

6 minutes ago, JuliWooli said:

I refer to him directly as 'dad' but he's my old man, it's an affectionate term that he also uses.

My God, I worship the guy.

And BTW, I didn't just beat him I totally whipped his ass.

When we are having a tight match and he has just stiffed his approach on the eighteenth, he normally bellows,

"You're f***ed now!"

I always laugh.

Well, as long as your both ok with it. Everybody is a bit different. Thanks for blotting out the f bomb, though.

[JuliWooli]

2 hours ago, Rippy_72 said:

I did study for 6 months by hiring a tutor (a colleague's wife who was on maternity leave),  I can understand what you wrote but it has been 20 years since I went there much on business.  I can order a schufule, Kartoffelknödel, and Weisse bier but not much more at this point. French is better, was nearly fluent at one point.  Getting old is terrible.  Entschuldigung

Kein Schuld, I think making an effort in any foreign language for an American is noble. We treat Englisch as a second language and no matter where we are in the world, we have to use it. A Schäufele would be along the lines of a beef wellington.

 

2 hours ago, Rippy_72 said:

My bad one was the left and I am right handed although I play hockey left handed, go figure.

His is also on the left. His last examination was about 15 years ago and the specialist told him that it was unrepairable. Perhaps modern medicine would disagree with that and perhaps I could persuade him to get updated advice for next saison.

Ice Hockey is a very popular sport here and most players have their dominant hand on top of the stick to control the shovel. I think it's normal?

11 minutes ago, Billy Z said:

Well, as long as your both ok with it. Everybody is a bit different. Thanks for blotting out the f bomb, though.

I often play in foursomes with my dad and his mates. The last thing I want is for them to feel awkward around me and vice-versa. BTW, I didn't block out the f-word, it's an automatic correction here I think. And anyway, we are of Irish decent.

[dennyjones]

@JuliWooli, we're glad you've joined a have been a trouper about the topic here.    Please stick around, engage other topics and become a valued member of TST.   

BTW... the movie title most glossed over is Groundhog Day.

[JuliWooli]

3 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

@JuliWooli, we're glad you've joined a have been a trouper about the topic here.    Please stick around, engage other topics and become a valued member of TST.

 

Thank you, I'm enjoying the "Craic" and I hope Shorty will warm to me also.

 

7 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

BTW... the movie title most glossed over is Groundhog Day.

Admit it, you googled it, didn't you?

[iacas]

On 2/20/2021 at 9:07 AM, JuliWooli said:

I would beg to differ. He evaluates many swings for me and his mates. Most of us benefit from his evaluations, and save a few bob at the same time.

@JuliWooli, sorry, but he's not qualified.

On 2/20/2021 at 12:05 PM, JuliWooli said:

His problem is flexibility and instruction would probably ignore that, instead persuading him to swing steeper when stretching exercises would suit him better.

This isn't what a good instructor would do, no.

On 2/20/2021 at 12:05 PM, JuliWooli said:

He knows how to steepen his swing, problem is his body doesn't allow him to at the moment.

IMO, that's unlikely.

I'm not saying that's the first priority thing, either, but it's unlikely his "body doesn't allow him to at the moment."

On 2/20/2021 at 2:28 PM, Shorty said:

• You think you your father needs help.
• He thinks he doesn't. But he's pissed off about not playing as well as he did a decade ago. Wow. How unusual!
• He thinks he knows more than anyone else.
• He rejects modern advancements in training and technology as fads.
• You're keen to dismiss any advice you're given here, no matter how much effort people have put into their responses or how misguided it is.
• You want medical/biomechanical advice and you turn to a golf forum, not medical professionals.
• Your father is over 60 and can comfortably play to 5. You see this as a problem.

You're dismissive of @Shorty, but that post seems to summarize the topic from my perspective.

Your dad is stubborn and thinks that stretching and the mental game are going to get him on the right track. He's unwilling to consider more conventional means, like instruction and/or equipment.

[JuliWooli]

6 hours ago, iacas said:

@JuliWooli, sorry, but he's not qualified.

 

Correct, but some golfers have an eye for it. I am not one of them but my dad studies the swing, its a hobby of his. When he helps another golfer, he says,

"Just stick a few Euros in an envelope for me and don't tell anyone."

I'm f***ing with you!

Anyway thanks to this discussion we've chosen the exercise route. Obvious really but sometimes just getting something out there leads to the most important therapy.

As for Shorty, I was a little dismissive with him but he was also a little unfriendly. I'm sure we'll make up. He's not talking to me at the moment.

I think its Mocha Man's fault...

17 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

"Get Shorty" 

Funny guy.

[dennyjones]

12 hours ago, JuliWooli said:

Thank you, I'm enjoying the "Craic" and I hope Shorty will warm to me also.

 

Admit it, you googled it, didn't you?

Actually, no.   We were married on Groundhogs Day in 1980.   We have watched the movie many, many times on our anniversary.

[ChetlovesMer]

14 hours ago, JuliWooli said:

I refer to him directly as 'dad' but he's my old man, it's an affectionate term that he also uses.

My God, I worship the guy.

And BTW, I didn't just beat him I totally whipped his ass.

When we are having a tight match and he has just stiffed his approach on the eighteenth, he normally bellows,

"You're f***ed now!"

I always laugh.

I'm going to reiterate what I said earlier. 
If your "old man" doesn't want coaching, that's cool. 

The most important thing is to enjoy the time you have with him. When I started golfing my "old man" had been playing for years. (Unlike your dad, mine's a terrible golfer. Always has been.) I took golf trips with him. We traditionally played every year together on our birthdays. (We share the same birthday, so it was a cool tradition.) 

Like you and your dad, we had running jokes as well. I always mocked his huge-ass-golf-bag that had like 20 or more clubs in it. 

• "Dad, the rules say you can only carry 14 clubs." 
• "Oh, that's a bullshit rule." 
• How can you argue with that?

He doesn't play anymore. Too many health issues. I have to say I truly miss it. 

So my advice once again is; Enjoy the times you get to play with him. Win, lose, or draw what ever. Just enjoy it. One day, you won't get to play with him anymore. Those times can never be replaced. 

[JuliWooli]

57 minutes ago, ChetlovesMer said:

He doesn't play anymore. Too many health issues. I have to say I truly miss it. 

So my advice once again is; Enjoy the times you get to play with him. Win, lose, or draw what ever. Just enjoy it. One day, you won't get to play with him anymore. Those times can never be replaced. 

I'm just trying to reverse his tendency to be grumpier these days. I play with him about 20+ times a season. I look forward to every round.

My dad's favourite game is playing a few holes in the evening with one club. I play with 7i and he usually takes an 8i. It's a great game for adapting to the possibilities of one club. I would rather play with a wedge but there are a few holes with water etc where that's not possible. It's really nice to walk the course with just a ball or two and one club. Bogeys are the norm and a par will normally win. Our putting stats are surprisingly good.

 

[Double Mocha Man]

50 minutes ago, JuliWooli said:

I'm just trying to reverse his tendency to be grumpier these days.

Just tell him his grumpiness is discrediting his immense wisdom. And that his cantankerousness is eclipsing his marvelous sense of humor. And if that doesn't work just tell him that TST wants him to get his shit together. (Then go have a beer)

[JuliWooli]

17 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

His cantankerousness is eclipsing his marvelous sense of humor.

I'll practise that one.

[SEMI_Duffer]

1 hour ago, JuliWooli said:

I'm just trying to reverse his tendency to be grumpier these days.

 

Hahaha!  Good luck with that 

[JuliWooli]

6 hours ago, dennyjones said:

Actually, no.   We were married on Groundhogs Day in 1980.   We have watched the movie many, many times on our anniversary.

15 years before I was born. I always loved that film, early 90's I believe. A feel good comedy. They don't make them like that any more. I also love the Robin William's Jumanji not that unrelated, modern, follow up shit.

[JuliWooli]

On 2/20/2021 at 4:51 PM, burr said:

 I have found that leaving the putter in the living room with a couple balls has vastly improved my game and attitude (towards putting and getting old); not for speed of roll or such, but to develop and practice a consistent stroke, a consistent set-up.

 

It's your fault Burr. I can't get a minute. Three balls, 5 footers to the mug. 1 point for hitting the mug, 2 points when it rolls in and 3 points if it stays in (which requires dead-weight). He holds the record of 7 points. He has practised 4 fold more than me.

BTW he also uses the pointed elbow technique...

https://youtu.be/M1_WeO_ZDQA

[Double Mocha Man]

40 minutes ago, JuliWooli said:

15 years before I was born. I always loved that film, early 90's I believe. A feel good comedy. They don't make them like that any more. I also love the Robin William's Jumanji not that unrelated, modern, follow up shit.

So you're 12?  Or your math is bad...

18 minutes ago, JuliWooli said:

It's your fault Burr. I can't get a minute. Three balls, 5 footers to the mug. 1 point for hitting the mug, 2 points when it rolls in and 3 points if it stays in (which requires dead-weight). He holds the record of 7 points. He has practised 4 fold more than me.

BTW he also uses the pointed elbow technique...

https://youtu.be/M1_WeO_ZDQA

I watched it twice, and he made it both times.

[JuliWooli]

5 minutes ago, Double Mocha Man said:

So you're 12?  Or your math is bad...

No, he married on Groundhog Day 1980, 15 years before I was born. Pay attention! You'll not beat me on Math!