Older And Playing Golf

[iacas]

1 hour ago, uitar9 said:

-and who knows, maybe theres a special 18 , on that side, where we all make par

That would be horrible.

[Blackjack Don]

4 minutes ago, iacas said:

That would be horrible.

That's what I was thinking! That's more a definition of Hell, or insanity, where you get the same results over and over. Like gambling. What fun would it be if you never lose?

[65ross]

when too old, too old to hit the ball, never I hope, just had 12 months away from the game due to relocating to a cheaper country to retire, not sure if the lay off did me some good but I back playing now age 68 my handicap is 11 down from 14 hoping for better things still and if good lord keep me under the blue skies I hope still hitting 200 yd.+ drives in 5 years. exercise and a healthy lifestyle is what keeps you on the course and enjoy the game. never try to be a John Daly play within yourself and you stay injury free.

 

[inthehole]

I started playing at 46 (52 now) ... I think when I get older, I will just be more selective in the times that I play so that I avoid slowing down faster groups.   I look at golf as the only enjoyable exercise I ever get, so I don't ever plan on quitting until the time when the back and knees say no mas

[chilepepper]

19 minutes ago, inthehole said:

I started playing at 46 (52 now) ... I think when I get older, I will just be more selective in the times that I play so that I avoid slowing down faster groups.   I look at golf as the only enjoyable exercise I ever get, so I don't ever plan on quitting until the time when the back and knees say no mas

    From what I've observed older folk are not slowing play down. Slow clueless people slow down play

[boogielicious]

4 minutes ago, chilepepper said:

    From what I've observed older folk are not slowing play down. Slow clueless people slow down play

Exactly.

[CarlSpackler]

44 minutes ago, chilepepper said:

    From what I've observed older folk are not slowing play down. Slow clueless people slow down play

I have come to that same conclusion. 

[NJpatbee]

I am 65 and if my course is empty I get in 18 with a cart from the white (middle) tees in 2 1/2 hours.   Thanks to today's equipment 460cc titanium drivers, hybrids, and balls for everyone's swing I am as long as I was 15 years ago and much longer than when I started at age 40 with hand me down persimmons and blades.  I am only a 17 HCP but play balls that are inexpensive but good for my game so I spend little time looking for errant shots.  My father played until he passed away at 80 and would still beat me, and his brother played to about 90 and was in the 80's from the middle tees.  I have a bad back and some knee issues, but barring a major injury I have no intention on stopping until I am 6 feet under.

[uitar9]

On January 6, 2017 at 8:14 AM, Blackjack Don said:

That's what I was thinking! That's more a definition of Hell, or insanity, where you get the same results over and over. Like gambling. What fun would it be if you never lose?

I'll take my chances and the boring par per round.

[David in FL]

1 hour ago, uitar9 said:

I'll take my chances and the boring par per round.

Not me.  I can't think of anything that would make me quit faster.  No risk, no reward. No highs, no lows.  Sounds like Hell...

[Buckeyebowman]

On 1/6/2017 at 8:17 AM, uitar9 said:

-and who knows, maybe theres a special 18 , on that side, where we all make par

Or, you're afflicted with terminal yips and make nothing but triple bogeys!

The thing is, at 64 golf is the last "active" sport I can play. Back in the day I, and my buddies, played every sport under the sun that we had access to. Baseball, football, basketball, golf, tennis, hockey, racquetball, volley ball, dodge ball, badminton, tether ball, it didn't matter! We had even heard about a sport played by ancient Native Americans called lacrosse. We had never seen it, or were exposed to it, but had we been we'd have probably played it! We also swam, and we walked, biked, or ran everywhere we went. Anybody being dropped off by their parents in a car was considered a wimp and a puss!

Of course, you can tell this is long before the advent of video games. There were board games, but we eschewed those in favor of cards for downtime activity. There were even guys in our crew who played contract bridge! The young 'uns who couldn't get the hang of bridge played hearts! All to the sound of day baseball on the radio.

This past Summer, in an effort to round out our playing experiences, we went back to 3 courses that we hadn't seen in a while. All of them are hilly, and the one is the single hilliest course I have ever seen! I found myself wishing I had brought my camera, because some of the views were spectacular! We'll be heading back this Summer and I promise pics.

Even more impactful was that, while riding around, I found myself thinking that I used to walk these courses, and with no problem at all!  I suppose if I absolutely had to walk I could do it, but it would take me 3 days to let my legs recover.

As for young 'uns teasing me about my age, I don't mind. I tell them that Father Time is undefeated, and he's just laying in the weeds waiting for THEM!

[Patch]

10 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

Or, you're afflicted with terminal yips and make nothing but triple bogeys!

The thing is, at 64 golf is the last "active" sport I can play. Back in the day I, and my buddies, played every sport under the sun that we had access to. Baseball, football, basketball, golf, tennis, hockey, racquetball, volley ball, dodge ball, badminton, tether ball, it didn't matter! We had even heard about a sport played by ancient Native Americans called lacrosse. We had never seen it, or were exposed to it, but had we been we'd have probably played it! We also swam, and we walked, biked, or ran everywhere we went. Anybody being dropped off by their parents in a car was considered a wimp and a puss!

Of course, you can tell this is long before the advent of video games. There were board games, but we eschewed those in favor of cards for downtime activity. There were even guys in our crew who played contract bridge! The young 'uns who couldn't get the hang of bridge played hearts! All to the sound of day baseball on the radio.

This past Summer, in an effort to round out our playing experiences, we went back to 3 courses that we hadn't seen in a while. All of them are hilly, and the one is the single hilliest course I have ever seen! I found myself wishing I had brought my camera, because some of the views were spectacular! We'll be heading back this Summer and I promise pics.

Even more impactful was that, while riding around, I found myself thinking that I used to walk these courses, and with no problem at all!  I suppose if I absolutely had to walk I could do it, but it would take me 3 days to let my legs recover.

As for young 'uns teasing me about my age, I don't mind. I tell them that Father Time is undefeated, and he's just laying in the weeds waiting for THEM!

Growing up I too was a multi sport guy which continued through college. Baseball was my favorite sport. I didn't take up golf until I was in my early 20s. 

The other day at a New Years get together, at my daughter's home, the youngsters (20-40 year olds) decided to play a 4 on 4 game of basketball. I was the 8th guy chosen. Keeping down the old guy down they were. . After about 40 minutes of play, the better talented (younger) team won. I was able to score a few points, and put a couple of surprise moves on my defender. 

After a lunch, a few of us decided to hit the golf course for 9 holes. We walked it. We all played to our own golf talents. 

The next morning when I got out of bed, I really felt like something had fell on me. I was pretty sore.....all over. Obviously it was the basketball game. Later on in the day I went with some friends to play 18. We used carts. I did not play well, I assume due to the soreness.

A couple days later, I am out on a boat in pretty chilly weather fishing. I began to think about the prior days activities. It dawned on me that when I can no longer golf, I have fishing to fall back on....lol 

 

[caniac6]

I am 62, and I am playing as well or better than I ever have. My handicap is between 3 & 5, I still walk about 90% of the time, and have not lost any distance. Play from 6700 yds., and will move back to 7000, sometimes, in the summer. I think the biggest secret is to keep active. My, soon to be 89, father is still playing 3 times per week. He only plays 9, rides, and doesn't hit it very far, but he still enjoys it, plays quickly, and still is trying to get better.

[JonMA1]

11 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

The thing is, at 64 golf is the last "active" sport I can play. Back in the day I, and my buddies, played every sport under the sun that we had access to. Baseball, football, basketball, golf, tennis, hockey, racquetball, volley ball, dodge ball, badminton, tether ball, it didn't matter! We had even heard about a sport played by ancient Native Americans called lacrosse. We had never seen it, or were exposed to it, but had we been we'd have probably played it! We also swam, and we walked, biked, or ran everywhere we went.

Sad but true.

At 56, I'd still get out there to play tackle football. I would embarrass myself and likely end up in the ER, but I'd do it in a heartbeat if asked.

There are still other sports that can be played with as we get older. Tennis is one of those. Played with a group for several years that included some who were in their 70's. We would play doubles. One gentleman in his mid 70's still had incredible reflexes. He must have been a very good player in his younger days.

But golf is the perfect sport for me. It doesn't require the company of others, I'm enjoying the outdoors, and when I'm feeling good, I can walk at a faster pace or even run from from shot to shot. Anything to keep the heart pumping.

[paininthenuts]

On 1/3/2017 at 4:48 AM, 70sSanO said:

I'm 65 and hope to be playing for years to come.  My brother-in-law has Parkinson's and he played until he was 75.  As he aged he was playing short par 3 courses, and his game was gone, but he was still playing and enjoying it.

I try to be involved in a number of activities as I think that it helps to work different muscle groups. I also enjoy the variety.

That said, It is odd is how much a simple golf swing leaves me with more aches and pains than even something like surfing.  The physical strain of twisting and turning and the effect of the impact on my tennis elbow seems to be more apparent after playing golf... and that does concern me more than where my score will go.

John

I am getting on for 60 and this is my problem. I have the physical stamina to play 18 holes every day, but joints resent my present 45 holes a week. I have recently changed my swing to aid my 14 month old tennis elbow, which appears to be working. However, my shoulder give me horrible problems, and I spend half the day nursing them with ice and hot poultices 

[deadon500]

That is some good stuff  guys  -- 65 now play 3 times a week  in 2 senior Assoc.  love it !!!!!!!

[Blackjack Don]

Does anyone else hate it when someone in their seventies says "You're young!" when everything is telling you you're not? The difference between 40 and 50 wasn't all that much. Between 50 and 60? Fageddaboudit. All I have to do is stand up to feel the difference.

 LOL

[Hacker James]

yah, soon I will have to "sneak up" to the red tees when nobody is looking. More than likely will meet a lot of old friends there.