I hear ya.

The past few years have not been kind to me, and the fact that I've not exactly been kind to myself has only expedited the process. The sad thing is that I'm not nearly as old as I feel. But I continue to play, knowing that in all likelihood that I'll never again know what it feels like to shoot 68 from the tips, or go into the opening round of a club championship not only thinking I can compete, but truly believing that I'm gonna win.

A majority of the guys I play with on a regular basis are older than me, a couple of them considerably older. I'm only 47 years old, still a young pup really. My best friend is 65, plays the member tees still, even though he could move up a set if he wanted to. Although it's just 6500 yards, it is a long 6500 yards, because our fairways are usually soft. He still hits it about 240, and he shot 75 last Saturday. He's still got some game, says he's hitting it just as far now as he did when he was younger. Then another guy I play with regularly, just turned 70 last summer - he has crazy length not only for a guy his age - but a guy as short as he is, and not exactly athletic to boot. When he's swinging well - he still moves it out there about 270 on occasion. He is blessed with tremendous flexibility. But like lots of guys his age - the cups just seem to be about 3 inches smaller than they used to.

So I totally concur with your thought process. These older guys are just as competitive now as they were 30 years ago, maybe even more so. Sure - technology has made a huge impact on them getting better with age, but still It gives me hope that maybe there's enough time for me to get my conditioning back to a level where I too can sustain that type of quality playing at their age.

    PA-PLAYA

    I know the young 78 years old used to travel the country to play in amateur senior or super senior event, one of a handful from our State to do that. He said he was blessed not only with good health but also financially able to play at the level he plays.

    What peaked my interest is that 83 years old, he must had been some golfer when he was younger. If not on the National level, must be recognized regionally. I'll do some search to see if there is any information available.

        That must have been something to see him driving like that. I'm not old (53), but I can hit the ball farther with the new balls and clubs than I could playing with clubs I had 20 - 30 years ago. I could only drive 225 - 230 in those days and can go 250 - 260 now.

        When in my 30's I was having a bad day at work and said to heck with it and took a half-day of vacation to go to the course. While in the parking lot putting my shoes on, an eighty four year old man walked up and asked me if I'd join him and I said sure. He warned me that he wasn't too fast and I assured him that after the morning I had I could use a little slowing down. We both walked with him pulling his clubs on a trolley. This fellow couldn't hit the ball more than 150 and often took 3 or 4 shots to reach in regulation, but never made more than bogey and often saved par. When we got to the eight hole, a one hundred and thirty eight yard par 3 over water, he hit a three wood that cleared the water by a yard or so, bounded up the bank about six feet to the green and then rolled 20 feet into the cup. He asked me where his ball ended up and I told him it was in the hole. He thought I was yanking his chain and explained to me that the reason he wanted me to join him was so I could guide him to his ball, which I had been doing but didn't really realize it up to this point. What a joy he had pulling that ball out of the cup and having me witness his hole-in-one for the newspaper report. If I remember right, he finished the 9 one over par and I was six over. It was a great display of course management from a man who played almost daily and was very much in touch with his distance control on the short shots.

          Release

          I wouldn't be surprised. There's always an exception, but it's highly unusual for someone who hasn't played much in their younger years to be that good in their golden years.

          This conversation has caused me to think of a good man who I played golf with on numerous occasions over the years, his name was Enos. We called him "Eenie." I didn't know him until I started playing with his son-in-law about 16 years ago. We became good friends, and over the course of the following 15 years or so - he would invite Eenie along to join us. When I first met him, he was around 75-yrs-old. He was a small guy, very wiry build, but he was in great shape and flexible as a garden hose. He refused to play the senior tees, lol... he would have none of that discussion, he was stubborn for sure. But at the same time - he didn't exactly need to because of his driving. He was still popping them out there around 230-240 yards. He'd always say, "if I move up to the seniors - I lose 3 strokes off my handicap and the holes don't get any bigger. I'll stay here with you guys and keep my strokes."

          Naturally over the course of the next 10 years or so, he lost considerable distance and was basically left with no other option but to swallow his pride and move on up. He shot his age a few times, but always lamented that he would still shoot even par if he could putt half as well as I did. A couple years ago we played quite a bit together, and on several occasions he would talk about how many friends of his was dying off. I would always say something along the lines of, "Eenie - you're gonna live to be a hundred." He would always chuckle and say, "God, I hope not. 70 years of putting up with the same woman, I'm not sure I could take another 10 years with her." He was kidding, of course. He had a great marriage, loving family, retired early... and the only thing that really bothered him much was the state of his deteriorating golf game.

          Eenie had a stroke last fall, spent 5 unresponsive days in the hospital, before the family made the heart wrenching decision to cut off life support, per his wishes. He lived 91 years, and I can honestly say that there will never be another one like him. He broke the mold.

              johnnydoom

              I remember reading something about the average driving distance on the PGA Tour was something like 250-260 yards back in the 60's and the 70's. With the new driver and the new golf balls, the driving distance must be improved quite a bit.

              Something similar to your experience told by some of my golfing friends. Those guys went down to the Pebble Beach in the early 90's for a week. I did not go because it was out of my budget. I don't even have those golf courses on my bucket list. Anyway, one day those guys had a 4-some and a 3-some group, one guy drank too happily the night before and decided to stay in the room to nurse his head. The pro shop asked if a single could join the 3-some. They accepted the single and was as usual bickering about the handicap before they tee off. Those guys love to put a little side action on their game. They asked the single golfer if he'd like to see a little action after seeing the guy limp around a little when he walk and looked harmless. so a $20 Nassau and 1 dollar skin with KP and other garbage thrown in.
              To make the story short, the limping old guy took almost every bet. They asked the guy how did he learn to play like that with obviously some physical disability. The guy bashfully admitted that he used to play competition golf before he had an automobile accident and became handicapped with the leg injury . One of his leg was several inches shorter after the surgery. He offered to buy a couple of rounds of drinks for all the guys since he felt he had "taken advantage " of those guys whom love to place a bet on their game.

              A lesson learned.

                PA-PLAYA

                83 and 91 are both nice numbers.

                I'm not sure if I could live to be that age, let alone play golf. Those guys were blessed !

                  Great Stories!

                  This spring I went out as a single at a local course. I got thru the first hole with no one in front of me. But when I got to the second, there was a two some waiting to hit. Actually it was a older gentleman and his lady friend.

                  He asked if I'd like to join them which I gladly accepted.

                  After a couple holes, I noticed he was having a bit of difficulty picking up the ball from the cup, so I started to retrieve it for him. He would always thank me which I would reply that it was "no problem"

                  As our day continued, I found out that he was a 93 year old Veteran of Pearl Harbor. His lady friend turned out to be his girlfriend of 6 years and she was 86. Both were widowed.

                  He played 3-4 times a week to "stay active". His best drive was usually about 130-140. but always very straight. Even from the senior tees, he had trouble reaching the green but always seemed to have a par putt.

                  On the 9th tee he said it would be his last hole as he was tired and his leg was giving him fits. (from an old injury). We finished the hole and I thanked him for his service. He shook my hand and thanked me for "being a gentleman" His girl friend even gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek and "wished more were like me".

                  I got a little choked up...

                  I can only hope....

                    CallMeAl

                    Great experience you had had with the 93. I guess you probably also "spot" their golf balls for them.

                    Spot and find super senior's golf ball is routinely done by me when had the opportunity to play with some of them.

                        Release

                        Yes I did. But they weren't hard to find. Most were right down the middle!

                          Here is one: An old friend of mine was a retired Air Force pilot and flew his own plane...a double engine 8 seater. He use to fly around California with a few buddies and play golf. All in their 60's and 70's. So they fly to N. Cal. to play Pebble. The 3 of them were on the first tee when one of the assistants from the proshop comes up and ask if he can join them. They say Yes and just as one was about to tee off the Asst. Pro says to them, "Now don't feel badly as i am going to be a PGA Tour player one day...so whatever you shoot don't feel embarrassed if I beat you by 10 or so shots" (or something along those lines). Well, after the smoke cleared...the old Dudes shot in the 70's and the Ass't Pro shot like 85 or something like that. My Bud the Pilot says to the Pro, "Hope we didn't embarrass you and don't feel badly that we beat you by 10 shots or so".

                          LMAO True story as best as I can remember it

                            Bangoman

                            That kid set himself up from the very get-go! LOL... Score one for the old guys. 🙂

                            Back in the day I would go out as a single, and occasionally I would get paired up with some strangers. It never failed - one of the first questions they'd ask after an opening tee shot would be, "So tell us - what kind of scores do you normally shoot?"

                            I was always hesitant to be truthful in those situations. For starters - not knowing these people, not knowing how well the played - the last thing I wanted to do was put any undue pressure on them to play to a level they couldn't play to. Or even worse - tell them I'm a 3 handicap and put undue pressure on myself! LOL I learned that lesson the hard way.

                            One day, I'm out playing at my club (many moons ago) and meet up with a couple of really nice guys, looked like pretty good players. And they were. They were ahead of me and I'd watch them hit the ball as I waited on them. We got to a backup a couple holes later, so they just politely asked if I wanted to join them. I said sure.

                            So they ask me, "How long you been playing, what do you normally shoot, etc.?" I told them I was a 2 handicap and had just shot 70 from the tips there two days earlier.

                            I shot 83 that day, and I can guarantee you they were both thinking "2 handicap my ass" then entire time. LOL...

                            Just better to let the game do the talking!

                                Bangoman

                                Great story !

                                It shows the young man has a lot to learn in life. He's lucky that he has time to do so, so many are old and tired and running out of time.

                                  PA-PLAYA

                                  Everyone will have the good golfing day and one not so good right after it.

                                  I also experienced good pairing ( or the opposite ) will influence the score. I tend to score better with tight paced good players and score worse with slow players and/or high handicappers. Of course, never was my best when I play social or business golf.

                                    13 days later

                                    Something not related to the previous experience.

                                    Today I played at one of the local public golf course, not my favorite but because one of the guys wants to play there so we joined up.
                                    This golf course is notorious for slow play. Typical on a par 71, 6300-5700 yards ( front and the back tee ) takes 4 1/2 to 5 hours and weekends expecting near 6 hours round. Lots of trees. tall matured trees lined the fairway and water + bunkers.

                                    Anyway, we were following the lady's day groups for the front nine. On Thursday the ladies play 9 holes and Tuesday for 18 holes. We were the 3rd group after the blocked tee time for Ladies. The first group following the ladies were fast players, but the group in front of us were very, very slow. It comprised of a 2-some riding the golf cart and one lady using the push cart and one other single carrying his bag.
                                    I knew it would be a bad golf day on the first tee when I saw the group in front of us teed off. The best golfer in the group was this senior lady whom advanced her tee shot about 180 yards from the forward tee.

                                    The single golfer sliced it to the right side ( whom played from the back tee ) the 2-some teed off from the middle tee , about 50 yards, then took them another 5 shots to reach the first green of a par 4 .
                                    Not going anywhere because the ladies groups ahead were not really moving fast. Took almost 3 hours to get out the front nine.

                                    It pains me to watch the 2-some , shuffle to their golf ball then shuffle back to their golf carts. They couldn't see where their golf balls landed so the other two had to point and direct from other side of the fairway.
                                    Literally, the shuffle between the golf balls and the golf cart became longer and longer to complete.
                                    I honestly don't believe anyone could enjoy this kind of golf experience.

                                    On the back nine the lady and the other single golfer left the 2-some to join others ahead. Field Marshall okay the move so the group ahead of ours became a 2-some. We called the Field Marshall over to ask if there is anyway we could pass this 2 -some. The Marshall said " did you watch these two walk" ? " They could hardly walk between the golf ball and the golf cart" !
                                    I answered, yes, but it shouldn't take more than 25 minutes to play one hole, since we have no visual of any group behind us, could we pass the 2 -some ? we have a good excuse since we were 4 and the 2-some were playing slower than our 4-some with at least 1 1/2 holes open ahead of them.

                                    Anyhow, the two gentlemen were not pleased when asked on a par 3 tee to let us play through. One continued to hit his tee shot which landed about 35 yards forward. Ignoring the Marshall's request of letting us play through. So, we had to wait until they got to the green then the Marshall stopped their play to let us get on the green. I could see one of the 2-some was not happy and argued with the Marshall.
                                    We teed off then went to the green and picked up our balls to continue to the next tee box.

                                    Sigh !
                                    For certain I would not enjoy playing golf if one day I could not advance the golf ball beyond 150 yards.

                                    This made me more aware of how unusal the 81 years old I played with several weeks ago whom could drive over 265 yards.

                                      Some day I'll get there, undoubtedly. And at that point I'll have to compromise the difference when I would rather play versus when I should play, based on my physical inability to keep pace with the quicker groups ahead.

                                      I've not played a round in over 4:15 for so long that I'm completely spoiled. It would be very difficult to go back to the day when 5+ hours was the norm on the weekend, let alone during a weekday round.

                                      First-world problem, for sure, but a problem to me no less. I loath slow play.

                                        PA-PLAYA

                                        If we are lucky, someday we'll all get there being a super senior.

                                        The question will be, if any golfer could not even advance the golf ball over 100 yards, what joy would they have playing golf during the prime tee times ? Pushed by the groups behind and open holes in front of them ?
                                        We have the Men's Club Day (Wed. )and the Women's Club days ( both Tuesdays and the Thursdays ) blocked out from 8:30 - 10:30 A.M. each week during the Summer season
                                        Maybe we should have a Super Senior Day with late tee times starting from 2 P.M. till 3 P.M. ? This way the golfers whom has mobility issue could take their time but not taking time away from other golfers.

                                        Or somehow persuade the super senior to play "executive style " golf courses.

                                          Proud sponsor of the Last Tee Golf program here. Geezers can teach you a lot if you are willing to listen! Many of my regular golf buddies are old farts.

                                          Most of the time avid senior golfers are quick in my experience. Every now and then I will get behind a slow foursome, but it is rare.

                                          I do not think later tee times would be better. The ones I know like to get out early to beat the heat.

                                            Slow Play: Never bothered me....Never. But, the ones in my group were stomping on the tee, swearing under their breath, yelling at the group, sometimes even hitting balls into them (rare..but, it happens). I don't say a word...I am there to relax, not to get bent out of shape because the group in front of us stinks. I just go with the flow on the golf course. Just look around at each hole and wonder about the designer's thoughts. I play golf to relax not get upset because the group in front of me hasn't a clue.

                                              Bangoman

                                              No one got upset in my group except asking to play through.

                                              I had to leave on the 15th because simply ran out of time for the day. Could not do a 5 1/2 hr. round even if I was calm and peaceful. With the traffic congestion these days, had to do a few things before kids get home. Certainly did not expect a 5+ hr. round during the weekdays.

                                                I usually do not get bent out of shape by slow play, but it does mes up my rhythm. I rarely play well behind a slow group.

                                                I will continue to work on mastering the space between my ears.