Getting older

[silver & black 6,410]

This is for you guys that are older.... 50+.

 

How did/do you deal with the years creeping up on you? I have noticed a significant loss of distance with all of my clubs, so far this year. I'm 58....59 in September. I have back problems, a shoulder that is garbage and a left hip that hates me.

 

I used to average 250 - 260 with my driver. I'm hitting it maybe 225 - 235 so far this year. I've noticed at least 10 yards shorter distances with all of my irons, too. What did/do you do to keep scoring well? I don't know what to do.... I'm in uncharted territory right now.

 

 

 

[Flipper554 885]

This is for you guys that are older.... 50+.

 

How did/do you deal with the years creeping up on you? I have noticed a significant loss of distance with all of my clubs, so far this year. I'm 58....59 in September. I have back problems, a shoulder that is garbage and a left hip that hates me.

 

I used to average 250 - 260 with my driver. I'm hitting it maybe 225 - 235 so far this year. I've noticed at least 10 yards shorter distances with all of my irons, too. What did/do you do to keep scoring well? I don't know what to do.... I'm in uncharted territory right now.

I will be 59 in August and I know what you are talking about. What I have done about it, well not much more than I always have. Aerobic exercise and lots of stretches not much weight stuff. For the loss of iron distance I now use GI clubs that go a long way. I also slowed my swing a bit so I am making more consistent contact. Other than that I just keep rolling along hoping to maintain what I have. Getting old sucks.

[PlaidJacket 7,737]

So far it's been working out good for me. I'm 63. Like other guys my age I've lost distance to some extent. I never was a long-knock even when young but I can still play and compete with younger guys as long as I play from the correct tee. (some of the young guys should move up a tee themselves - but they won't and I'm glad)

So far I haven't suffered from any old injuries (had few anyway) and nothing new has popped up.

 

So what's the solution Silver & Black?

 

I don't have one that you've not heard before. However, the most important one might be stretching. I don't do near enough of it by the way. The other thing is genetics and there's nothing we can do about what we inherited.  Lastly, live with it and play on as long as you are able and enjoy it. Getting old isn't the end of the world. Until it is! 

[ole gray 17,752]

Drink lots of prune juice and work on that short game.     Actually find a good gym and become addicted to working out.   I have all sorts of broken parts however I'm pretty strong for my age (67).  Exercise to keep those old joints from locking down on ya..... 

[Charli 915]

Exercise my friend. Keep that body strong

[revkev 25,369]

Well first things first

 

To be down 20 yards off the tee and a club in April in Ohio? If you reflect back on other seasons that's probably normal for anyone.

 

If however that's become true in July then she has caught up a bit. Your options include strength and flexibility training, equipment evaluation (changing shafts, more loft on the driver, stronger lofts on your irons, carrying an extra hybrid, a more lofted fairway and extra wedge) and lots of short game practice.

 

I played my best golf in my mid 50's when a big drive was 245. I had no trouble playing from the tips on many courses and shooting in the mid 70's or lower. I'd like to think that I can get back there from the next set of tees up in my 60's averaging 225 off the tee.

 

That's still better than 90 percent of the people who play.

 

Good luck and don't get too down on yourself

 

 

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[Big money 1,953]

I started losing noticeable distance at age 35 or so.Now,15 years later it turned into more than noticeable.Besides going to the gym and eating healthy.Getting a good in person pro might be the only way to get distance back.Three things golf mechanics are helping.Lifting up front foot for more turn.Focusing on a massive shoulder and hip turn in backswing.Always have hands leading at impact.Next is proper equipment utilizing a proper fitting.And take advantage of hitting off the proper tee boxes.Move up if you have to

[Dilligaf 248]

I'm in my mid 50's and haven't really noticed much of a loss. Some of that can be attributed to fittings, some can be attributed to an active lifestyle. But maintaining flexibility has been key to keeping me moving the ball.

 

 

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[revkev 25,369]

I'm in my mid 50's and haven't really noticed much of a loss. Some of that can be attributed to fittings, some can be attributed to an active lifestyle. But maintaining flexibility has been key to keeping me moving the ball.

 

 

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As an FYI for me and many guys that I know the driver deference occurred between 58 and 59. Of the people that I play golf regularly I only know of one exception.

 

So keep the activity up and stay fit! The exception is extremely active and fit.

 

 

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[tony@CIC 22,299]

Exercise my friend. Keep that body strong

I'll second Charli's and OG's comments. Exercise (strength training) and working on flexibility becomes very important as you get older.

 

 

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[russtopherb 9,637]

I'm a young guy in comparison (43) but I've also had back and knee problems for some time. In fact, my knee is what led me to take up golf 6 years ago after being told I couldn't run or play hockey any more.

 

Daily stretching to help alleviate back issues helps me on the course - when I don't stretch for a bit, I have less distance and am more sore after rounds.

 

My father is 66 and agrees with me. He does a lot of stretching to keep limber, and when he doesn't stretch on a consistent basis, he sees a real loss of distance in his shots. Coming off of 2 knee replacements, he tries to stay as limber as possible with stretching and as much physical activity as he can.

[cnosil 25,145]

I am at the low end of your getting older range. Yes, there are some noticeable changes since my

30s and 40s; mostly distance related. Overall, I have become a better golfer as I have gotten older. I will attribute that to knowing my limitations and playing smarter golf. I think the big thing that has helped me over the past couple of years is making more swings which has kept me flexible and in golf shape.

 

My focus now is less about distance and more about control and short game. While I never expect to shoot in the low 60s I am pretty confident my game will hold up over the next 10 years.

 

Over the past few months I have also focused on getting more fit. Since my mid 40s I put on about

20 lbs and since the beginning of the year taken 10 of them off. Definitely feel better and have more strength and stamina of the course of 18 holes.

[Dilligaf 248]

.

Compared to what?

 

Not sure if you're having a Jack LaLane/Chuck Norris moment here, but I'm having a hard time believing anyone suggesting they hit it as far as they did when they were 40. ... or 30, or 20.

But I guess my point would be that IT catches up with all of us, sooner or later - and while you might not have "noticed much of a loss" this year, I'm afraid that all of us wake up one day and realize that our younger days are behind us, and all the Nugenix and active lifestyle bs ain't helping slow down Father Time. ... And I think that's the OP's point too.

 

As other posters have noted, of course exercise is important in retaining flexibility and to fight injury - in addition to warming up on the range pre-round instead of rushing to the first tee from the parking lot. ... You did mention fittings, which is a good idea too, as we're also never going to be as strong as we once were, and getting into the proper shaft we can actually get to kick and work behooves trying to hit the rebar-shafted clubs of our youth.

Its quite possible that as I've aged that my swing has become a lot more consistent too. In my 20's and 30's I was playing much less, practicing much less as well. A young family will do that to you. I played to an 18-20 handicap then. And that's not all a distance thing, until you look at the impact on the club head. I'm not going to argue that Age won't be a factor. But now in my 50's with plenty of time to invest into golf. I'm much more consistent with my ball striking. Also, I'm playing practically the same shafts I was in my 20's.

 

 

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[TheWahoo 3,507]

Drink lots of prune juice and work on that short game.     Actually find a good gym and become addicted to working out.   I have all sorts of broken parts however I'm pretty strong for my age (67).  Exercise to keep those old joints from locking down on ya..... 

Ole Gray:   I think you would agree that being in the Senior division of the site ( I just entered the Super Senior division), we have a responsibility to depart not only our Country wisdom, but the wisdom that comes with age as well.   Initially, it is important to understand that getting old ain't for sissies.   Don't let aging defeat you, fight it with all you have, but understand there may be limitations.  Yes, most will experience some loss of distance, but the decreased distance can be compensated by accuracy, better course management, a good short game and just pure guts.  

 

As one grows older, one gains even more appreciation that golf is the chosen past time.  Unlike other athletic endeavors, golf is a lifetime game because it will not kill you, it doesn't require you to run.  And when you hear someone say "you play good for someone your age", don't take it as an insult, it was meant to be a compliment.   So just smile, and say thank you.

[ole gray 17,752]

Ole Gray:   I think you would agree that being in the Senior division of the site ( I just entered the Super Senior division), we have a responsibility to depart not only our Country wisdom, but the wisdom that comes with age as well.   Initially, it is important to understand that getting old ain't for sissies.   Don't let aging defeat you, fight it with all you have, but understand there may be limitations.  Yes, most will experience some loss of distance, but the decreased distance can be compensated by accuracy, better course management, a good short game and just pure guts.  

 

As one grows older, one gains even more appreciation that golf is the chosen past time.  Unlike other athletic endeavors, golf is a lifetime game because it will not kill you, it doesn't require you to run.  And when you hear someone say "you play good for someone your age", don't take it as an insult, it was meant to be a compliment.   So just smile, and say thank you.

 

 

Yes sir buddy you speak wisdom.  Getting old don't mean ya dead yet so gird up them loins and get to work!   

[cksurfdude 10,797]

Was going to mention...

- course management

..but the older, wiser Wahoo already did!

 

 

Flexibility - it's been mentioned, and yeah I agree it's really important, but ... there's a big difference between this and *mobility*.

 

For anyone who has the time and money, I recommend seeking out a golf-specific fitness program - could be either from a specialized exercise facility that seem to be getting more popular, or a good PT person who golfs or a TPI-certified pro who can guide you through a program. You can also get a lot online from TPI.

 

I'm in shape .. and I'm flexible .. but I learned that I was not very mobile in golf-specific planes of motion. With new stretches and exercises that is improving. As is my ball-striking [emoji106]

[cksurfdude 10,797]

Oh, w/r/t S&B's original post...

I didn't pick up a golf club until 53. Now at 62, partly thx to...

..accumulated experience

..two really good lessons recently

..making better contact more often

..golf-specific fitness training

..a new hip that allows me to move better than before (and without pain)

... I'm actually starting to hit _further_

 

I'm still not a "big hitter" but through practice and conditioning I've improved!

[Golfspy_CG2 32,565]

Was going to mention...

- course management

..but the older, wiser Wahoo already did!

 

 

Flexibility - it's been mentioned, and yeah I agree it's really important, but ... there's a big difference between this and *mobility*.

 

For anyone who has the time and money, I recommend seeking out a golf-specific fitness program - could be either from a specialized exercise facility that seem to be getting more popular, or a good PT person who golfs or a TPI-certified pro who can guide you through a program. You can also get a lot online from TPI.

 

I'm in shape .. and I'm flexible .. but I learned that I was not very mobile in golf-specific planes of motion. With new stretches and exercises that is improving. As is my ball-striking [emoji106]

I had a promising phone conversation with a TPI instructor today. I liked what i heard and have my first assessment and lesson with him on Wed.

 

While I'm sure i wont like the results if the assessment. Im looking forward to getting pointed in the right direction from a swing standpoint as well as a physical one.

 

 

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[cksurfdude 10,797]

I had a promising phone conversation with a TPI instructor today. I liked what i heard and have my first assessment and lesson with him on Wed.

 

While I'm sure i wont like the results if the assessment. Im looking forward to getting pointed in the right direction from a swing standpoint as well as a physical one.

 

 

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Awesome! Good luck with it ... And stick with it .. a little bit of exercise/conditioning (almost) every day can pay you back big dividends on the course!

[Golfspy_CG2 32,565]

Awesome! Good luck with it ... And stick with it .. a little bit of exercise/conditioning (almost) every day can pay you back big dividends on the course!

Thanks. That's what I hear. Just a few minutes each day will at least be better than nothing and will HB woo.

 

 

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