Question:

writes IMHO as I get older I do only what is necessary to play golf. In my teens thru several decades later I did everything. FWIW … Positively… My backswing is shorter so it’s more in control.

so do you hit more with the right then? Thanks — Felicity

Response:

.. My backswing is shorter so it’s more in control. Hips are stiffer so there’s no over shifting or swaying.

Could you please get Annika to tape your swing and put it up for viewing??  AARP golf may be for me!!!  :-) Dave Clary/Corpus Christi,TX http://www.geocities.com/texasp38 RSG Roll Call http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/claryd.htm

Response:

Hell, I don’t know what it was like to swing as a  young man. Started playing at 48 now 63. Have played my best in the last two years twixt 10 and 11 hdcp. Maybe I just got a smarter as I approached and reached Social Security, but some cold mornings are tough on the old bones. Getting old "ain’t for sissies". "Sweet Lou"

Response:

I Agree!!! Grip and rip up from teens thru my 30’s. Great long and mid game, acceptable short game, shot in the low 80’s on average. Lot’s of moving parts. Now…bad back, knees…white hair…Tylenol… easy smooth 3/4 turn and release thru the ball. Few moving parts. Long game? 220 yard drives. 170 yard 7 wood. Stay out of trouble. Deadly short game. Low 80’s/high 70’s. Aloha, Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip When you get older, how do you find yourself adjusting your game from what did when you were younger? And just how "should" an older player play? Or do you still grip it and rip it? Seems I have fewer body parts that move the way I want them to and my back can tighten up pretty nicely towards the end of the round.  This kind of ‘adjusts’ my game for me.  As my daughter’s instructor said, when we were talking somewhat about this, "She has so many choices". I’m getting closer and closer to only one choice. Bob

Response:

IMHO as I get older I do only what is necessary to play golf. In my teens thru several decades later I did everything. FWIW … Positively… My backswing is shorter so it’s more in control. Hips are stiffer so there’s no over shifting or swaying. Grip is lighter so there’s more feel. Putting and chipping practice is less tiring than beating buckets of balls. Aloha, Jim <snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -When you get older, how do you find yourself adjusting your game from what did when you were younger? And just how "should" an older player play? Or do you still grip it and rip it? Do people hit more with the right rather than swing with the left? Do they address the ball in a more closed position in order to increase their backswing? Interesting…  I’ll need to know this sooner rather than later!!!!  I look forward to receiving my copy of the Laws of the Golf Swing – I assume it addresses these problems??!!! __ Felicity

Response:

Fine post, Barrie…thanks for sharing your wisdom.  Now, if I can only do something so that I’m not comfortably playing to my 29!  Like, cut it in half, or something.  And I know that distance isn’t/better not be the answer, because I’ll never have it.  So I’ve just got to get smarter, and more adept closer to the green.  Gotta practice, practice, practice.  Hmmm…spending time practicing golf.  What’s not to like? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Colin, I’ve been retired 5 years now, and still play to 12 (and that’s a real 12, medals every month from the tips, and the "Monster Monday from the tips each month), and I put it down to my improving my course management.  I rarely make a double, and I know what holes I can expect to make par, and where I settle for bogey.  I play around 30 other courses a year, and seem to do OK on most.  My handicap stats for the last 12 months (all cards returned) shows a low handicap of 11 and a high of 13 – so that’s consistent.  I’d *really* like to hit it like I used to 15 years ago, but those are only memories.  I played with an assistant at our club only yesterday, 9 holes, from the blues.  He hit it MILES – and I was usually 20-30 metres behind him on every drive.  But I hit the fairway on all the par 4s and 5s, and when we got to the 9th, a par 3 157 metres, he hit it to 4 metres, we were all square. He hit it to 3 metres, and I was outside him by about 2 metres.  I drilled it for a 2, and he missed wide.  I returned a 41 for the 9, and beat him by a shot.  He probably played below his best, and I played my normal game. What I’ve learned at my advanced age is that distance is not my concern. I’m *never* going to hit it as far as I did once (yearn, yearn), but if I hit it straight, and use my non-strength skills (putting and chipping), I’ll be a match for anyone playing off a true handicap.  I find I rarely have an "on" day and have 42 pts or more (my handicap is hard earned), but I rarely have less than 33.  At that rate I win a ball regularly, and average better than the field.  Course management is important to the older golfer – resisting the temptation to play the shot you’re not capable of pulling off is a prerequisite. I’m currently probably more competitive off my handicap than I’ve ever been. I still ache because I can’t see myself playing to any lower mark – but that’s offset by *knowing* I can play to the h’cap I’ve got.  God, I love this game! — Regards Barrie Smart The Wizard of Oz! Peter Fowler, 41-year-old former Australian Open champion and winless since 1993, shot a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Australian Masters to tie for a new course record (on the altered course). At pgatour.com (via AAP) they reported Fowler as saying: "This was the simplest round of golf I’ve played since I won the BMW Open," Fowler said. "I decided to take the approach of some of the young guys — to grip it and rip it." But according to the Melbourne Age (via their own reporter) he said: "I played the way I wanted to, rather than the way we see the top young players today, which is grip it and rip it," Fowler said. "I played how an older player should, and rolled in a few putts." So someone’s got it wrong. When you get older, how do you find yourself adjusting your game from what did when you were younger? And just how "should" an older player play? Or do you still grip it and rip it? Cheers Colin Wilson RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm Trentham Golf Club: http://www.trenthamgolf.com

– Peter "Play each round as if it was your last." RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/straussp.htm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Colin, I’ve been retired 5 years now, and still play to 12 (and that’s a real 12, medals every month from the tips, and the "Monster Monday from the tips each month), and I put it down to my improving my course management.  I rarely make a double, and I know what holes I can expect to make par, and where I settle for bogey.  I play around 30 other courses a year, and seem to do OK on most.  My handicap stats for the last 12 months (all cards returned) shows a low handicap of 11 and a high of 13 – so that’s consistent.  I’d *really* like to hit it like I used to 15 years ago, but those are only memories.  I played with an assistant at our club only yesterday, 9 holes, from the blues.  He hit it MILES – and I was usually 20-30 metres behind him on every drive.  But I hit the fairway on all the par 4s and 5s, and when we got to the 9th, a par 3 157 metres, he hit it to 4 metres, we were all square. He hit it to 3 metres, and I was outside him by about 2 metres.  I drilled it for a 2, and he missed wide.  I returned a 41 for the 9, and beat him by a shot.  He probably played below his best, and I played my normal game. What I’ve learned at my advanced age is that distance is not my concern. I’m *never* going to hit it as far as I did once (yearn, yearn),

I think some people just give up as they get a little older (don’t know how advanced you are though). My dad’s kinda like that. He has lost aloof flexibility and distance. Why? Because he is 60+ years old, overweight, doesn’t work out, etc. He is retired and wen he isn’t playing golf, he sits in front of the tube and feeds his face. If instead he watched what he ate, lost some weight, streched a couple times every day, did some cardio work and strength training, he could get some of that lost distance back. He would feel better and be able to play more golf without getting tired. There are no physical or medical reasons why he can’t do this if he just wanted too. I also know you (and dad) are not Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, etc… but they claim that they still hit the ball about as far as they did in their prime. My point is getting older doesn’t necessarily mean you have to settle for less distance. Unless you are in poor health or have some other limiting circumstance (other than age)  I most definitely do beleive that you can improve upon your curent strength/endurance/flexibility/distance… if you want too. It involves eating right and getting/keeping in shape. dsc

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Colin, I’ve been retired 5 years now, and still play to 12 (and that’s a real 12, medals every month from the tips, and the "Monster Monday from the tips each month), and I put it down to my improving my course management.  I rarely make a double, and I know what holes I can expect to make par, and where I settle for bogey.  I play around 30 other courses a year, and seem to do OK on most.  My handicap stats for the last 12 months (all cards returned) shows a low handicap of 11 and a high of 13 – so that’s consistent.  I’d *really* like to hit it like I used to 15 years ago, but those are only memories.  I played with an assistant at our club only yesterday, 9 holes, from the blues.  He hit it MILES – and I was usually 20-30 metres behind him on every drive.  But I hit the fairway on all the par 4s and 5s, and when we got to the 9th, a par 3 157 metres, he hit it to 4 metres, we were all square. He hit it to 3 metres, and I was outside him by about 2 metres.  I drilled it for a 2, and he missed wide.  I returned a 41 for the 9, and beat him by a shot.  He probably played below his best, and I played my normal game. What I’ve learned at my advanced age is that distance is not my concern. I’m *never* going to hit it as far as I did once (yearn, yearn), but if I hit it straight, and use my non-strength skills (putting and chipping), I’ll be a match for anyone playing off a true handicap.  I find I rarely have an "on" day and have 42 pts or more (my handicap is hard earned), but I rarely have less than 33.  At that rate I win a ball regularly, and average better than the field.  Course management is important to the older golfer – resisting the temptation to play the shot you’re not capable of pulling off is a prerequisite. I’m currently probably more competitive off my handicap than I’ve ever been. I still ache because I can’t see myself playing to any lower mark – but that’s offset by *knowing* I can play to the h’cap I’ve got.  God, I love this game! — Regards Barrie Smart

NOW THAT IS THE REPORT OF A GOLFER.  If you had the distance of youth and the eyes you had when you were 19, you’d be on the tour with this kind of self management, I suspect!

Response:

Colin, I’ve been retired 5 years now, and still play to 12 (and that’s a real 12, medals every month from the tips, and the "Monster Monday from the tips each month), and I put it down to my improving my course management.  I rarely make a double, and I know what holes I can expect to make par, and where I settle for bogey.  I play around 30 other courses a year, and seem to do OK on most.  My handicap stats for the last 12 months (all cards returned) shows a low handicap of 11 and a high of 13 – so that’s consistent.  I’d *really* like to hit it like I used to 15 years ago, but those are only memories.  I played with an assistant at our club only yesterday, 9 holes, from the blues.  He hit it MILES – and I was usually 20-30 metres behind him on every drive.  But I hit the fairway on all the par 4s and 5s, and when we got to the 9th, a par 3 157 metres, he hit it to 4 metres, we were all square. He hit it to 3 metres, and I was outside him by about 2 metres.  I drilled it for a 2, and he missed wide.  I returned a 41 for the 9, and beat him by a shot.  He probably played below his best, and I played my normal game. What I’ve learned at my advanced age is that distance is not my concern. I’m *never* going to hit it as far as I did once (yearn, yearn), but if I hit it straight, and use my non-strength skills (putting and chipping), I’ll be a match for anyone playing off a true handicap.  I find I rarely have an "on" day and have 42 pts or more (my handicap is hard earned), but I rarely have less than 33.  At that rate I win a ball regularly, and average better than the field.  Course management is important to the older golfer – resisting the temptation to play the shot you’re not capable of pulling off is a prerequisite. I’m currently probably more competitive off my handicap than I’ve ever been. I still ache because I can’t see myself playing to any lower mark – but that’s offset by *knowing* I can play to the h’cap I’ve got.  God, I love this game! — Regards Barrie Smart The Wizard of Oz!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Peter Fowler, 41-year-old former Australian Open champion and winless since 1993, shot a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Australian Masters to tie for a new course record (on the altered course). At pgatour.com (via AAP) they reported Fowler as saying: "This was the simplest round of golf I’ve played since I won the BMW Open," Fowler said. "I decided to take the approach of some of the young guys — to grip it and rip it." But according to the Melbourne Age (via their own reporter) he said: "I played the way I wanted to, rather than the way we see the top young players today, which is grip it and rip it," Fowler said. "I played how an older player should, and rolled in a few putts." So someone’s got it wrong. When you get older, how do you find yourself adjusting your game from what did when you were younger? And just how "should" an older player play? Or do you still grip it and rip it? Cheers Colin Wilson RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm Trentham Golf Club: http://www.trenthamgolf.com

Response:

<snip When you get older, how do you find yourself adjusting your game from what did when you were younger? And just how "should" an older player play? Or do you still grip it and rip it?

Seems I have fewer body parts that move the way I want them to and my back can tighten up pretty nicely towards the end of the round.  This kind of ‘adjusts’ my game for me.  As my daughter’s instructor said, when we were talking somewhat about this, "She has so many choices". I’m getting closer and closer to only one choice. Bob

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Peter Fowler, 41-year-old former Australian Open champion and winless since 1993, shot a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Australian Masters to tie for a new course record (on the altered course). At pgatour.com (via AAP) they reported Fowler as saying: "This was the simplest round of golf I’ve played since I won the BMW Open," Fowler said. "I decided to take the approach of some of the young guys — to grip it and rip it." But according to the Melbourne Age (via their own reporter) he said: "I played the way I wanted to, rather than the way we see the top young players today, which is grip it and rip it," Fowler said. "I played how an older player should, and rolled in a few putts." So someone’s got it wrong. When you get older, how do you find yourself adjusting your game from what did when you were younger? And just how "should" an older player play? Or do you still grip it and rip it?

Do people hit more with the right rather than swing with the left? Do they address the ball in a more closed position in order to increase their backswing? Interesting…  I’ll need to know this sooner rather than later!!!!  I look forward to receiving my copy of the Laws of the Golf Swing – I assume it addresses these problems??!!! __ Felicity

Response:

Peter Fowler, 41-year-old former Australian Open champion and winless since 1993, shot a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Australian Masters to tie for a new course record (on the altered course). At pgatour.com (via AAP) they reported Fowler as saying: "This was the simplest round of golf I’ve played since I won the BMW Open," Fowler said. "I decided to take the approach of some of the young guys — to grip it and rip it." But according to the Melbourne Age (via their own reporter) he said: "I played the way I wanted to, rather than the way we see the top young players today, which is grip it and rip it," Fowler said. "I played how an older player should, and rolled in a few putts." So someone’s got it wrong. When you get older, how do you find yourself adjusting your game from what did when you were younger? And just how "should" an older player play? Or do you still grip it and rip it? Cheers Colin Wilson RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/wilsonc.htm Trentham Golf Club: http://www.trenthamgolf.com

Response: