A definitional question

[smith5606]

As a single on a busy day at your local course, you are matched with a three-some. You look at one of the people in the group and immediately, you think to yourself - "that guy is really old school". What makes a person an old school golfer in your mind?

[PiKapp23]

In my mind it's usually in relation to his equipment. Old style bag with older,small headed irons and small headed woods (if not persimmon woods) and no hybrids. No forgiveness in the bag at all. A lot of times they do not even have 14 clubs.

[Chief Broom]

Knickers...

[Fourputt]

Just his general style and demeanor. May point the forward foot 30 degrees toward the line of play and chases the ball well down the line with the club head on the follow through. Maybe he plays a low runner instead of the high shots that are the norm now. He plays chips that roll out rather than the spin and stop style. Wristy putting motion instead of arm and shoulder. He actually knows most of the Rules of Golf and considers them to be inviolable. Follows the precepts of good etiquette religiously.

My kind of golfer.

[smith5606]

Just his general style and demeanor. May point the forward foot 30 degrees toward the line of play and chases the ball well down the line with the club head on the follow through. Maybe he plays a low runner instead of the high shots that are the norm now. He plays chips that roll out rather than the spin and stop style. Wristy putting motion instead of arm and shoulder. He actually knows most of the Rules of Golf and considers them to be inviolable. Follows the precepts of good etiquette religiously.

Let's play.

[Fourputt]

Let's play.

How far into Kansas do I have to drive? Not to be disparaging, but Kansas ain't the most scenic state to drive through west to east.... long drive too. But it might be considered for a good round of golf or 2.

Not this winter though... Kansas isn't my kind of winter destination.

[Big_M]

In my mind it's usually in relation to his equipment. Old style bag with older,small headed irons and small headed woods (if not persimmon woods) and no hybrids. No forgiveness in the bag at all. A lot of times they do not even have 14 clubs.

nice equipment perspective... this seems "old school" to me as well

Just his general style and demeanor. May point the forward foot 30 degrees toward the line of play and chases the ball well down the line with the club head on the follow through. Maybe he plays a low runner instead of the high shots that are the norm now. He plays chips that roll out rather than the spin and stop style. Wristy putting motion instead of arm and shoulder. He actually knows most of the Rules of Golf and considers them to be inviolable. Follows the precepts of good etiquette religiously.

nice playing style description... also seems about right

I would add that they dress with... -maybe an old school straw hat or fat cap -tradditional looking shoes... classy, not tennis shoe like -earthy toned shirts without new age patterns or striping

[smith5606]

How far into Kansas do I have to drive? Not to be disparaging, but Kansas ain't the most scenic state to drive through west to east.... long drive too. But it might be considered for a good round of golf or 2.

Any golf played in Kansas between November and March is a statistical anomaly, unfortunately. That said, you might be surprised by four quality courses, here. Check out Colbert Hills in Manhattan, Cottonwood Hills in Hutchinson, Sandcreek Station in Newton, and Auburn Hills in Wichita. All three have been mentioned in the popular golf press in the last few years. In particular, Cottonwood is a treasure. It is a Faldo links style course located in the same territory as the famous Prairre Dunes course. It is just a real treat for us old school types. I am very much afraid however that it may not survive the current economic unpleasantness we find ourself in. If it survives until the Spring, it is well worth the trip from anywhere.

http://www.cottonwoodhills.net/photo...olfcourse.html The best part is that the green fees are very reasonable. Bad part is that it is very difficult to walk. Have a great winter.

[JCDot33]

I have so got to get out of the Northeast, the COL is just so high ... membership to a course like cottonwood hills around here is like $2500 ...

[Fabfivefigo]

In my mind it's usually in relation to his equipment. Old style bag with older,small headed irons and small headed woods (if not persimmon woods) and no hybrids. No forgiveness in the bag at all. A lot of times they do not even have 14 clubs.

I guess this makes me old school

And here I thought I was just cheap

[mirv]

Just his general style and demeanor. May point the forward foot 30 degrees toward the line of play and chases the ball well down the line with the club head on the follow through. Maybe he plays a low runner instead of the high shots that are the norm now. He plays chips that roll out rather than the spin and stop style. Wristy putting motion instead of arm and shoulder. He actually knows most of the Rules of Golf and considers them to be inviolable. Follows the precepts of good etiquette religiously.

you and i would get along well on the course, methinks.

[Eeryck]

In 30 years from now I am going to go to the golf course with the equipment I own today just so I can be "Old School"

-E

[smith5606]

In 30 years from now I am going to go to the golf course with the equipment I own today just so I can be "Old School"

Please understand that I am an academic. I don't see the world the way normal, sane people do. It's a curse and I hope that you all will indulge me a little on this topic. So . . .

EEryck and others, based on your response to this thread, I'm not sure how firmly your tongue is planted in your cheek, but if you knew that you would be "forced" to play the same equipment for the next 30 years, how would it affect your equipment choices? How would it affect the way you approach the game?

[Fabfivefigo]

Please understand that I am an academic. I don't see the world the way normal, sane people do. It's a curse and I hope that you all will indulge me a little on this topic. So . . .

I've had the same equipment for 19 years (except for having to replace my driver 10 years ago, whose head flew off one day) and have no plans to update. It didn't impact my buying decision then and it doesn't impact my approach to the game now. I guess you can say I just don't know any better. I just try to play within the capabilities I currently have and lower my handicap every round.

My lousy swing has a much greater impact on how I approach the game.

[Eeryck]

EEryck and others, based on your response to this thread, I'm not sure how firmly your tongue is planted in your cheek, but if you knew that you would be "forced" to play the same equipment for the next 30 years, how would it affect your equipment choices? How would it affect the way you approach the game?

Oddly enough since you asked, being a stubborn creature of habit I would not be suprised to see very similar equipment in my bag 30 years from now. Of course this brings up an issue of durability, if I were "forced" to play the same equipment with only repairs for 30 years I would probably quit the game after my grooves were all worn down. Playing twice a week right now when my schedule is packed with weather in Wisconsin is about 60 rounds per year, 60 rounds x 30 years = 1800 rounds. I am pretty sure that no equipment would last through that. I would hope as time goes on I get closer to playing 5-6 times per week as I approach retirement.

My approach to the game is definately Indian over arrow. But as the Indian gets older and flexibility and strength decreases again if forced to play the same equipment it would probably not be as well suited to me any longer since everything I have is stiff shaft and all steel shafts on my irons. However, I would not make equipment changes now so that I had an easier time in the future. I would rather maximize enjoyment now and be crotchity and old school and bitch and moan in the future. Especially, since I was moved into a land where I was forced to keep the same golf equipment. Well I think that was far enough off topic for this post. -E