What if you couldn't play well anymore?

[Richard Boult]

Now approaching my 3rd year of golf and nearing 50, my back continues to give me trouble and my shoulder is beginning to. Although I'm finally stretching daily, I rarely play without pain.  Regardless, I was able to improve steadily for 2 years and got down to a low index of 3.3, but now seem to have hit a wall. I just don't have the time required to improve any further and feel like I'm more likely to head back the other direction.

Since I work from home, I get to sneak away from the computer once or twice during the week to play. Most of my friends my age are employed and can only play on the weekend, so I often go out as a single and hook up with older golfers.  I've been very inspired by how well these guys still play. Sure, they're not as good or long as they used to be, but they can still strike the ball well, keep it in play, and work me with their incredible short games! Mostly, it's their great attitudes that have taught me to keep things in perspective and not put undo importance on scoring.

Until recently, my emphasis on improving at golf kept me from playing other sports. I've avoided hockey and snowboarding over the past couple years since I didn't want to be in even more pain, and adversely affect my golf game.  Tonight, I play my first hockey game in 3 years!  It'll be painful and will certainly hurt my golf game for a while, but I'll still play and enjoy it.

Great thread... lot's of good attitudes!

[Tony_Muldoon]

Great thread... lot's of good attitudes!

 

[Jeff_Brauer]

Bill McBride,

In most cases if you start stretching now you will reap benefits.

In addition to lowering expectations, I think you can just lower the number of holes in your round.  I think you can gain great satisfaction by playing each individual hole as its own match and being thankful for the ones you win.  If you make a personal par on half the holes each day, it doesn't seem as bad as the all or nothing "I didn't break XX (or XXX)"

I think we all face a time in our lives when we realize we ain't gonna make the tour, we have lost distance, and we have the yips.  For the vast majority, they still love golf anyway.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Over the past forty years my handicap has fluctuated between 2 and 7.  Presently it is about 4.  The only thing I have done as I have aged,  is move forward from the back tees.

I am having a severe disc problem and the dr. is not so sure that I will be able to play to my handicap  anymore.  I'm not sure I believe it but it got me thinking, "If I started shooting in the 90's would I still want to play anymore?

Score doesn't mean as much to me as it used to, yet I wonder if I would want to play much anymore if that eventuated.  I don't have much pride anymore so that isn't it.  I love to hit a golf ball, but i love to hit it well better.

I don't need sympathy just thoughts.  I know some of you have had physical problems that have caused a decline in your game yet continue to play.  Was it a difficult adjustment? Did you think about about quitting?  Without going out in the evening all by myself or playing my regular Thursday game with my best friend.   Without golf my life would be greatly diminished.  I can imagine just going to the short game area and hitting shots there but that would get old.

Tommy,

Having gone through a prolonged spell where my skills diminished, I never lost my love of the game.  As my skills diminished, new challenges were presented, which were fun to joust with.

My biggest problem was loss of trajectory on my shots, especially my long irons and fairway wood.

I merely accepted the realities, adjusted my game and played
a new game, altered to fit my abilities.

Fronting bunkers presented a more pronounced challenge, so the effort to avoid them took on a heightened priority, begining at the tee.

While PAR is always on your mind, meeting the challenge that you're capable of becomes more of a mental game.

At 200 yards I couldn't reach, let alone hit, a green, so tacking my way up the fairway became an important strategy.

Since I continued to play a good deal of match play, the HANDICAP system eliminated many of my concerns about score.

If you accept a higher handicap, but strive to lower it, you can compete with anyone, so long as you use your brain as your primary weapon and not your ego.

Something else happened that really surprised me.
Because I had NO strength, I stopped trying to hit the ball with uumph and just tried to hit the ball.  As a result, I flushed most shots in the sweet spot.  While they didn't go very far, I was consistently accurate.

I could hit 2-4 irons from 150 and if there was no fronting bunker, be on the green in good shape, and even if there was a bunker, I could hit it to the ideal approach or recovery spot.

So, understanding your abilities and shortcomings and adapting to them allows you to compete favorably with your friends and foes alike.

Friends of mine who were lesser golfers used to kid me and say, "now you know what it's like to hit the ball so short"
But, the loss of distance never troubled me, only the loss of trajectory caused me major problems.

So, accept what your body will allow, but, let your mind fuel your competitive engines and your desire to improve.

Armed with that mindset, you can beat anybody.[/color]
 

[Bill_McBride]

Bill McBride,

In most cases if you start stretching now you will reap benefits.

In addition to lowering expectations, I think you can just lower the number of holes in your round.  I think you can gain great satisfaction by playing each individual hole as its own match and being thankful for the ones you win.  If you make a personal par on half the holes each day, it doesn't seem as bad as the all or nothing "I didn't break XX (or XXX)"

I think we all face a time in our lives when we realize we ain't gonna make the tour, we have lost distance, and we have the yips.  For the vast majority, they still love golf anyway.

I must have been mumbling at the keyboard, I think that's what I was trying to say!

Couldn't agree more.

[A.G._Crockett]

I can't play as well anymore as the guy who inhabited my body 20 years ago, but I have a great shot almost every time I play at beating the guy who inhabited my body the last time I played.  That's enough for me, because I think I can get better than he is!

Besides, the older I get, the less I can remember about what happened 20 years ago, and the stuff I can remember I don't care about so much anymore.

I'll keep playing.

[Ash Towe]

"So, accept what your body will allow,but let your mind fuel your competative engines and your desire to improve.
Armed with that mindset you can beat anybody" Quote Patrick Mucci
Great words and similar to my own feelings.  I have had some difficulty playing the ones with flexible backs who hit it 100 yards off the tee longer than me.

[Phil Benedict]

The great thing about golf is that it extends our athletic prime, unlike sports that require footspeed or explosiveness.  I could drop everything and play basketball 8 hours a day but I'll never be able to dunk again, but I can still get better at golf because it is so multidimensional.  Lose something here, work on getting better there.  It's a puzzle, but in a positive way.

[Bart Bradley]

I am having shoulder surgery in a couple of weeks and although I am not a great golfer now, I do worry that my game may never be the same.  I will always play if I can, I will always enjoy the experience but I still feel some sense of grief over the possible loss of some of my golfing skill.  Sort of a microcosm of life...as much of golf seems to be.

Bart

[Tommy Williamsen]

The quality of responses on this thread is exceptional.  I am amazed at what some of you have overcome.  I think if there is one common theme it is:  The joy of golf, or for that matter any endeavor, is get as low a score as you can relative to the physical and mental skills you bring to the sport.  Those skills change due to age and health.  Personally, I have had other physical problems over the years that have diminished my capacity to run, ski, play the guitar, and play golf.  The fun now is to assess what I can do and then go for it.  The goal is not even attaining the goal as much as it is making the effort.  

My job as a clergyman affords me the honor of being with people in some of their most difficult times.  So many times I am awed by the unassailable human spirit.  The psalmist wrote, “I thank you for the wonder of my being.”  That wonder is the human spirit.  It allows us to be better than we can dream and do more than we think possible.  That truth became clear in so many of your responses. St Augustine wrote, “The glory of God is a human fully alive.” I don’t know about you but I am proud to be associated with this “fully alive” bunch of golfophiles.  But, ah, just don’t throw up on this sappy response.

[Gib_Papazian]

Tommy,

There is nothing sappy about it. Patrick is an inspiration for more reasons than I can count. He stuck it in the Devil's ear, tossed him a saber and dared him to take his best shot.

Mucci: 1

Devil and Disease: Squadoosh

Back trouble is a trifling matter in comparison.

 

[Patrick_Mucci]

Gib,

Thanks for the kind words.

While I was engaged in my battle I retained a positive attitude, exercised due diligence and took a very aggressive path. I also enjoyed good luck and the wonderful support of many.

Golf, and the desire to play golf played a major part in my fight and recovery.

The desire to think and execute remained paramount despite my physical limitations.  That's not to say that I wouldn't attempt shots deemed to be beyond my ability, but, I became craftier and more patient with respect to the play of the game.  I became content to swing WITHIN myself, which was never easy, because I accepted that my abilities were severely compromised.  That allowed me a degree of consistency despite the enormous loss of strength and distance.

One of my most memorable rounds was when I was at the end of my post-operative chemo-cycle.  I had lost 70 pounds and couldn't walk 50 feet without being exhausted and I couldn't hit the ball 200 yards with a good drive, but, I persevered and the qualifying round I shot at NGLA was one of the most satisfying rounds I"ve ever played.

The combination of the golf course, the terrific fellows who play in the event and the nature of the competition inspired me.  So much so, that after that round I went over to Westhampton and played another 18.  Needless to say, I slept well that night.

I think another thing that helped me was the inconsequential meaning of a missed putt or shot.  I was happy to be alive and I was even happier to be playing golf with my friends, especially on a magnificent golf course.

So far, I"ve been fortunate, but, am not about to kick sand in the Devil's face.  A low key, positive attitude seems to work best.

Thank you and the many participants on GCA.com for your kind words and wonderful support, it meant a great deal to me.

[Norbert P]

I think anyone who gives up the game because of a deterioration in their ability to play to the standards of yesteryear should get over it. Smell the grass and if you get just one good crack out the ball in 18 holes, be thankful.

"You don't HAVE to golf - you GET to golf."  Harvey Pinnick

[A.G._Crockett]

Gib,

Thanks for the kind words.

While I was engaged in my battle I retained a positive attitude, exercised due diligence and took a very aggressive path. I also enjoyed good luck and the wonderful support of many.

Golf, and the desire to play golf played a major part in my fight and recovery.

The desire to think and execute remained paramount despite my physical limitations.  That's not to say that I wouldn't attempt shots deemed to be beyond my ability, but, I became craftier and more patient with respect to the play of the game.  I became content to swing WITHIN myself, which was never easy, because I accepted that my abilities were severely compromised.  That allowed me a degree of consistency despite the enormous loss of strength and distance.

One of my most memorable rounds was when I was at the end of my post-operative chemo-cycle.  I had lost 70 pounds and couldn't walk 50 feet without being exhausted and I couldn't hit the ball 200 yards with a good drive, but, I persevered and the qualifying round I shot at NGLA was one of the most satisfying rounds I"ve ever played.

The combination of the golf course, the terrific fellows who play in the event and the nature of the competition inspired me.  So much so, that after that round I went over to Westhampton and played another 18.  Needless to say, I slept well that night.

I think another thing that helped me was the inconsequential meaning of a missed putt or shot.  I was happy to be alive and I was even happier to be playing golf with my friends, especially on a magnificent golf course.

So far, I"ve been fortunate, but, am not about to kick sand in the Devil's face.  A low key, positive attitude seems to work best.

Thank you and the many participants on GCA.com for your kind words and wonderful support, it meant a great deal to me.

TommyW;
I haven't looked far enough ahead in the Lectionary to see what might connect to this, and don't know if you preach from the Lectionary, but there might a good sermon or two in this somewhere.

Great thread; thanks, gentlemen.

[Tom Huckaby]

The great enigma of GCA.com presents itself again....

How can one man be so wise and inspirational about life topics, and so exasperating and full of shit about college football and other golf topics?

 

You remain a great man and an inspiration to me too, Pat.

But that does not mean you are completely off the hook in the shit battles.

 
TH

ps - this is one hell of a great thread for sure, and definitely inspiring to me as I turn toward the starting to suck at the game years.  I will NEVER give up.

[Tommy Williamsen]

AG, I after 35 years of sermons, I can make just about anything to fit in with the lectionary.  I missed the boat with All Saints Sunday though.  There really is some good material here. The depth of the contributers on this site and the wealth of knowledge on a variety of subjects.

[A.G._Crockett]

AG, I after 35 years of sermons, I can make just about anything to fit in with the lectionary.  I missed the boat with All Saints Sunday though.  There really is some good material here. The depth of the contributers on this site and the wealth of knowledge on a variety of subjects.

Understood; with three passages a week and 35 yrs. experience, you could probably preach on golf every week.  

[Doug Ralston]

I am lucky. At 56 I have arthritis in all limbs, all joints ....... and I have low expectations! I never have BEEN a good golfer, therefor I do not expect my decline to be too tragic. I just wanna play as long as I can and enjoy the beautiful courses!

Golf is my hobby, my love ...... but not my job. I do not have to play well to derive joy from it.

Of course, I DO enjoy my occasional great shot, and perhaps they will get less common. But I doubt it will be much less, because random chance seems to play a big part in them, and hopefully chance will remain a constant in the Universe all my life.  

And after golf I can still enjoy the memories, and kick some butt at chess.

Doug

[Jason McNamara]

Dan Jenkins (unsurprisingly) provides the more curmudgeonly view:

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2007/11/health_jenkins

"I do love the game, but I've never played golf for the joy of it. I've always played it to compete -- and bet. But now that I can't compete as I once did, thanks basically to age and the fact that today's modern, magical, nuclear-advanced equipment seems to laugh at me more than it helps me, I play golf only at gunpoint."

[A.G._Crockett]

Dan Jenkins (unsurprisingly) provides the more curmudgeonly view:

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2007/11/health_jenkins

"I do love the game, but I've never played golf for the joy of it. I've always played it to compete -- and bet. But now that I can't compete as I once did, thanks basically to age and the fact that today's modern, magical, nuclear-advanced equipment seems to laugh at me more than it helps me, I play golf only at gunpoint."

I feel a little sorry for Dan Jenkins.  

[John Kavanaugh]

Dan Jenkins (unsurprisingly) provides the more curmudgeonly view:

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2007/11/health_jenkins

"I do love the game, but I've never played golf for the joy of it. I've always played it to compete -- and bet. But now that I can't compete as I once did, thanks basically to age and the fact that today's modern, magical, nuclear-advanced equipment seems to laugh at me more than it helps me, I play golf only at gunpoint."

I feel a little sorry for Dan Jenkins.  

Never feel sorry for those not afraid to tell the truth.

[Dan Kelly]

Dan Jenkins (unsurprisingly) provides the more curmudgeonly view:

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2007/11/health_jenkins

"I do love the game, but I've never played golf for the joy of it. I've always played it to compete -- and bet. But now that I can't compete as I once did, thanks basically to age and the fact that today's modern, magical, nuclear-advanced equipment seems to laugh at me more than it helps me, I play golf only at gunpoint."

I feel a little sorry for Dan Jenkins.  

Never feel sorry for those not afraid to tell the truth.

I wonder, John: How do you recognize "the truth"?

[Sam Morrow]

This is something I think about a lot. I used to be a very good player who wanted to play on tour, I even tried but at the time I played and practiced hours per day. Now days I don't practice and I play once a week, I don't enjoy going out and shooting 80, I really don't. Sadly I could see a scenario where I decide to quit because I can't bring myself to hitting the ball that much.

[Tommy Williamsen]

AG, I after 35 years of sermons, I can make just about anything to fit in with the lectionary.  I missed the boat with All Saints Sunday though.  There really is some good material here. The depth of the contributers on this site and the wealth of knowledge on a variety of subjects.

Understood; with three passages a week and 35 yrs. experience, you could probably preach on golf every week.  

A few years ago the ushers, unbeknownst to me, started a pool on how many minutes it took for me to mention something about golf during worship.  It took a few weeks for me to find out, but I was suspicious when money exchanged hands before the offering was received.

[A.G._Crockett]

Dan Jenkins (unsurprisingly) provides the more curmudgeonly view:

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2007/11/health_jenkins

"I do love the game, but I've never played golf for the joy of it. I've always played it to compete -- and bet. But now that I can't compete as I once did, thanks basically to age and the fact that today's modern, magical, nuclear-advanced equipment seems to laugh at me more than it helps me, I play golf only at gunpoint."

I feel a little sorry for Dan Jenkins.  

Never feel sorry for those not afraid to tell the truth.

John,
I am taking what Jenkins said as his truth, and it is not an enviable way to live.  

If he can't enjoy being outside, the beauty of a golf course, the challenge and beauty of the game, and all the rest that goes into and comes out of golf, then his truth is a sad one, and I DO feel sorry for him.