[TEPaul]

Kelly:

An hilarious post. I used to do shit like that when I first started playing. But there came the time when I figured one had to stop that stuff when you get a little older. Jeeesus, some of those rounds down there in Florida totally hungover and half looped again and the heat and the sweats and stuff were something I'd just as soon forget.

Matter of fact, though, on "The Match" thread I was thinking of asking Bob Huntley to tell some stories of how the hell those guys back then like Harvie Ward and some of that crowd could carry on like they did drinking, chasing skirt half the night, getting just about no sleep and still get out there and playing the kind of remarkable golf some of them did. It should be noted that apparently Harvie came driving down the driveway of Cypress when Ben and Byron and Ken were waiting on the first tee. You can just imagine what his explanation was. And then to get up there and just rig one down the middle. And further to think he probably did it all on purpose!   

Then don't you just love the story, albeit perhaps apocryphal of The Hage showing up on the first tee in his tuxedo?

Or how about his quip when someone asked him what the hell he was doing out carousing all night when his opponent who was up against the Great Hage the next day had been in bed for hours: "He may be in bed but I guarantee you he isn't sleeping."

[TEPaul]

"Hence, it is fundamental principle that we must search for; that basic principle of all which, in the degree it is apprehended, points the way to beauty and order, to the law of Nature. It is the consummation of this in design that alone can give to outward expression an inward meaning."

PeterP:

In my opinion, the absolute key phrase in that remark is "the law of Nature", and further the word "law". I think that is what we need to fundamentally focus on first and foremost.

What did Behr really mean by that phrase?

I think he did mean the look and aesthetic of Nature but he fundamentally meant the "forces" of Nature and particularly the molding, evolving, devolving forces of wind and water and what they do to earth and earth forms in both the short and long haul.

These two combined points---eg the look as well as the forces of Nature were essentially what he built his philosophy he called "Permanent Architecture" on and around.

[Peter Pallotta]

TE -

See? Your shot making may not be what it used to be (though maybe Patrick's proding will bring it back  )...but how many of those young pups will be thinking their way around the golf course like that?!

Peter

[henrye]

A couple of weeks ago I played a round with a distant relative we all affectionately call 'uncle Russ'.  Uncle Russ is 91 and still loves the game.  He plays regularly at his home course in Connecticut and joins us for a few days vacation either up north of Toronto or in Florida in winter.  He's joined us recently in Hawaii & the Turks & Caicos.  The guy goes non-stop and regularly shoots his age.  Drives the ball about 150 to 175 - dead straight.  He loves to play with the young kids (teens/twenties) and they always love his stories.  I think he'd play every day if he could, but is too busy lecturing at a nearby college.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I'm not sure some of you get it.  Match play, or not worrying about score is not the point.  It is about not being able to hit the shots you once did.  I'm 61 and a very shaky 6.  I had spinal surgery last December.  I have more scores in the eighties than seventies.  In my forties I was a 2 and competed in statewide events.  I played yesterday.  It was a beautiful day.  I walked 18 holes and carried my own bag.  I played with m best friend, with whom I have played for thirty years.  I didn't really keep score, but noticed when I made a par or bogey.  I just tried to concentrate on hitting quality shots and making good swings.  I knew I would not hit it as far as I once did.  I got the ball in the hole because I have a good short game, but other than around the green I really did not hit many "quality shots."  I think about giving up the game every week.   It is expensive and takes a lot of time.  My buddy (who is an 18) says, "Just lower your expectations."  How do I do it?  The bottom line is: Can I learn to enjoy the game while not being able to perform well?  I am having the same dilemma with skiing.  Can I enjoy skiing with diminished skills? 

Well, there is no way I would quit. I enjoy hitting a golf ball.  But I also enjoy the tangential things about golf.  I love driving into the course, seeing other guys tote their clubs from their trunks, and walking from the parking lot to the locker room.  I love the smell of the grass and the feel of the turf beneath my feet. I love being on the practice tee and hearing the banter that takes place there.  Nobody is ever hitting the ball the way they want.  I love standing on a tee and looking at the hole and visualizing what shot I want to hit and remembering the best shot I every hit from that tee.  I love the look of a golf course. The playing fields are spectacular.  My son was in town last week from MN and we played.  Walking the course with him was the best day I have had in many months.  Watching him make 5 birdies was better than making them myself.  I love sitting in the grill room and talking about this shot or that shot.  I enjoy reminiscing about a day long ago when we played a particular course or hit a particular shot.  When I am on the road and need to stop for lunch, more often than not I will find some golf course and eat there.  Is there anything better than sitting on some deck and watching guys come up 18?

I am so frustrated with m game right now that the thought of quitting crosses my mind a lot.  But even as poorly as I am playing, my life would be poorer without golf.  Besides, tomorrow I may shoot 70.  And I would not want to miss that!

[Patrick_Mucci]

Patrick:

You really are amazing that way. I don't think I've ever known anyone like you. If you really are looking for more distance, though, get rid of those old berrylium Pings of yours. They are great clubs but they don't go anywhere compared to what you can get today.

TEPaul,

I played with Terry and Mike McBride recently and they were chiding me about getting rid of my old equipment, my 1980's pings and my old Taylor 580 driver.

They were telling me how much farther and straighter I would hit the ball if I had the newest equipment like them.

On the 7th hole, after I hit a good tee shot in the middle of the fairway and they hit both of their tee shots into the woods right, I told them that that new equipment sure worked well and would probably help my game a great deal, just like it was helping theirs.  We all laughed, and every time they hit a marginal shot I reminded them of how badly they'd be playing if they were using my equipment.

I'm sure that I'll try some of the newer equipment, but, I'm comfortable with my old pings and I drive the ball fairly straight and far with my Taylor 580.

But, I believe that every golfer owes it to themselves to venture into R&D.

So, I'm going to try a set of Tour Burner irons.
I hit Mike's with great results.
And, I'm going to try that big Titleist Driver with the blue shaft.

If they consistently outperform my old clubs, I'll use them.

You need to rejuvenate your mental approach.

You need to play with guys who are fun to play with irrespective of their scoring ability.  You need to play with good players as well, and, you should try to beat them all.

This game is so great.
You meet so many terrific people.
You can play with them, or, you can play and practice by yourself.

Each course is different, and even the same course is different each day.

Hibernating isn't for humans, and especially not golfers.

Get up, open your window, scream: I'm mad as hell and I'm going to do something about it, then, go out and get FITTED for new equipment.

Then go practice and play your ass off.

This isn't a dress rehersal, this is it.

Try to get your game in shape, try to better par, try to beat everyone you play with, but, above all, enjoy yourself and have fun.

Golf is the best medicine for what ails you.

Just do it.

End of Rant 

[Bill_McBride]

I'm not sure some of you get it.  Match play, or not worrying about score is not the point.  It is about not being able to hit the shots you once did.  I'm 61 and a very shaky 6.  I had spinal surgery last December.  I have more scores in the eighties than seventies.  In my forties I was a 2 and competed in statewide events.  I played yesterday.  It was a beautiful day.  I walked 18 holes and carried my own bag.  I played with m best friend, with whom I have played for thirty years.  I didn't really keep score, but noticed when I made a par or bogey.  I just tried to concentrate on hitting quality shots and making good swings.  I knew I would not hit it as far as I once did.  I got the ball in the hole because I have a good short game, but other than around the green I really did not hit many "quality shots."  I think about giving up the game every week.   It is expensive and takes a lot of time.  My buddy (who is an 18) says, "Just lower your expectations."  How do I do it?  The bottom line is: Can I learn to enjoy the game while not being able to perform well?  I am having the same dilemma with skiing.  Can I enjoy skiing with diminished skills? 

Well, there is no way I would quit. I enjoy hitting a golf ball.  But I also enjoy the tangential things about golf.  I love driving into the course, seeing other guys tote their clubs from their trunks, and walking from the parking lot to the locker room.  I love the smell of the grass and the feel of the turf beneath my feet. I love being on the practice tee and hearing the banter that takes place there.  Nobody is ever hitting the ball the way they want.  I love standing on a tee and looking at the hole and visualizing what shot I want to hit and remembering the best shot I every hit from that tee.  I love the look of a golf course. The playing fields are spectacular.  My son was in town last week from MN and we played.  Walking the course with him was the best day I have had in many months.  Watching him make 5 birdies was better than making them myself.  I love sitting in the grill room and talking about this shot or that shot.  I enjoy reminiscing about a day long ago when we played a particular course or hit a particular shot.  When I am on the road and need to stop for lunch, more often than not I will find some golf course and eat there.  Is there anything better than sitting on some deck and watching guys come up 18?

I am so frustrated with m game right now that the thought of quitting crosses my mind a lot.  But even as poorly as I am playing, my life would be poorer without golf.  Besides, tomorrow I may shoot 70.  And I would not want to miss that!

Tommy, I'm 66 and in the same place you are in.  I haven't been a 2 since I was in college many years ago, 3 Navy years at sea followed by three young kids took care of that.  I am happy to keep my handicap around 12 and be able to travel and see a lot of golf courses.  I enjoy my home course and the guys (and couples) I play with and with my wife.  Like you I'm more in the 80s than 70s, but three times this year I have had an unexpected round out of the blue with three or four birdies and broke 80.  I guess that's what keeps us going!   That and just the love of being around golf.  Some of the most fun I've had in the last few years was attending the Walker Cup matches at Chicago and County Down and the 2005 Open at St Andrews.

GCA golf in Kings Putters, Dixie Cups and Buda Cups has also really kept me inspired even if my golf hasn't been! 

[cary lichtenstein]

In my particular case, it is not my game that has gotten bad, it is my body.

Last year at age 64, I had my 1st surgery, on my shoulder, a procedure called "Microfracture" which for the most part did not work. After about a 5 month layoff, I came back fine, and my game did not suffer.

This year, at age 65, I had entensive back surgery, lower 4 vertebras, stenosis and a couple of disc that ruptured. Great surgery and I am now 100% pain free and should be back playing in a few more months.

In the meantime, I took up painting with oils, found a great teacher and paint 3 days a week. I think I will blend the 2 activites together, cut down on my playing a bit. My days at the practice range are long gone, but I hope to be able to play at the same level as before. If not, I'll just go to shorter tees to accomodate my game.

In addition, my wife and I have taken up cruising, presently we are in Greece, in Jan we will be in South America, in Sept Eastern Europe, so our crazy driving trips are over, we've played just about everything everywhere anyway.

Most of our travel will be to distination courses we have been to before, where we can stay for 4 days and then drive to one other place for like 3 days, lots of places to do that, lots of courses we would like to replay many times, the one course in some odd ball place will now get scratched.

We'll take some Kalos Cruises which center on golf and they do it all for you. Hopefully I'll be able to walk again, something I have not been able to do for years. Now I am walking about 75 minutes a day as part of my rehab.

I think you just have to adapt to the fact that getting old is part of life.

[Eric Smith]

EricS:

Really fine post there your #36. God love your grandpa. Does he still chase the occassional "skirt" too? If you haven't done it already, totally pick his brain about his days as a "flyboy". Some of those guys were truly amazing. Brokaw's title "The Greatest Generation" seems most appropriate to them and their early days in and around the war.


I got to tell you a story about an uncle of mine and his "flyboy" days in WW2.

He first went over there into the same bombing squadron as the famous "Memphis Belle" that, as most know (from the movie), was the first one to make it through a tour rotation. The "Belle" was just rotating out to huge acclaim when he got there.

That uncle of mine (now gone) was just one of those guys who, as we say, always found a way to "land on his feet" (to happen into the right place at the right time with the right people). He had a real knack of hanging out with the brass and he was really well connected.

He was a tail-gunner on one of those planes like the Memphis Belle. What were they, B-17s or something?

Anyway on one bombing mission over Germany his plane got completely shot to hell and they pulled out and tried to make it back to the English coast. It was at night and they basically threw everything in it except their parachutes out the windows to lighten it up.

Just as they hit the English coast they all bailed because they figured there was no way to land it. My uncle lands in a tree and he's hanging upside down but it was so dark he was afraid to release his chute because he he couldn't see the ground and he figured he might fall out of the tree and kill himself. So he proceeded to just go to sleep hanging upside down in the tree.

The next thing he knew he was being tapped on the shoulder and he woke up to find his head was about two feet from the ground. He'd landed in this big English estate and the lord of the manor and his family were there looking at him and tapping him on the shoulder. So they released him from his chute and took him into the manor and they all had some drinks and started reminiscing about some friends they had in common.

Those were the days, man. Those "flyboys" were something else.


And then when he finished his rotation he was going back across the Atlantic on this huge convoy and of course he found a way to get in there and pal around with the Admiral of the convoy on the flagship. They were playing cards and accross the intercom comes this message that an Ensign James W. Paul who was the gunnery officer on one of the DEs had gone overboard after three of his crewmen who got swept off the deck of the DE. The message was asking for permission for the convoy to slow up into the wind for the DE. The Admiral said something like: "Holy Shit, I'm gonna kill that ensign Paul for doing that."

My uncle did not even know that Ensign James W. Paul who was married to his first cousin was on that convoy. The admiral was so pissed off do you think my uncle admitted that he knew Ensign James W. Paul?

Of course not! 

Mr. Paul:

Thank you.  About the only thing my Grandpa chases these days is a shot of tequila  He's really good at not letting on how many he's had, just goes about his business, a real gent. Now he may fall asleep while telling a story, but my God he's 88! His mother, my great-grama, lived to 104 so I'm hopeful he'll be with us for a good while longer.

Yes sir, he has a treasure trove of stories from his flyboy days.  They're the best stories I've ever heard and his time spent fighting in the Pacific theater and the places he went inspired me to want to visit some of those far reaches of the planet and swim in the super salinated water of the south pacific that he told me about as a kid.  My wife and I visited Bora Bora and Manihi on our honeymoon, some 50 years after he had to ditch a plane in the shallow lagoon of a nearby atoll.  His days in China, supporting the AVG, led him to return to live there after the war, working as a commercial pilot for Pan-Am where he met my grandma, who was a stewardess. It's incredible to think how those guys flew back then, by the stars, without the instruments of modern aviation.  And how incredibly slow they flew!

[Patrick_Mucci]

TEPaul,

I went and hit balls today and then played 9 holes.

After I hit my tee shot on # 5, it occured to me that the malaise you seem to have acquired might be a by-product of Lyme Disease.

Have you been tested recently ?

Remember, sometimes a bite from an infectuous tick won't produce positive Lyme teiter result until some time has elapsed from the date of the bite.

Taking my own advice, I bought a set of Tour Burner Irons and a Titleist Driver today.

I'm anxious to try them tomorrow.

Do me a favor, visit this website.  I think it will motivate you.  Good luck.

http://www.eightprinciples.com

 

[ChipOat]

I can relate to all the great sentiments on this thread (I get worse every year starting about 10 years ago).

BUT, this IS a golf architecture discussion group, so I will respond to Tom Doak as I had intended even before reading the rest of the posts.

Tom,

I don't believe the deterioration (or lack) of golf skills can do anything but lower a golfer's appreciation for great golf architecture.  If you can't execute for whatever reason, I believe the poorer golfer, even the former expert, cannot appreciate the problems and challenges that the the fine architects such as you have created?

ANY serious golfer is likely to appreciate the Augusta National or NGLA "in toto" experience, but how can a golfer appreciate #12 at ANGC if their skill level only gives them a 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 chance of hitting a decent shot in the first place?  Or the brilliance of #15 at Pine Valley or #11 at Shinnecock?

There was a post on another thread about the founder of Wendy's, Dave Thomas, who wasn't much of a golfer, wondering why he was supposed to be thrilled to spend a hot summer weekend at Pine Valley?

While that says much about what he didn't appreciate about the golf experience, I can see his point in terms of trying to appreciate the superb golf architecture.  How could he?

You're conceptually correct about playing matches off of handicaps and, if that's all that matters, then OK.

But do I really want to play a great Tom Doak course or a classic Tom Doak hole when my ability to execute is closer to zero than ever before (no matter how much I play and practice)?

I bet I won't.

At that point, I think I'll get me a match with Tom Paul at some 5700 yard muni with flat greens, shallow bunkers and a friendly bartender where we can get around on a weekday in about 3 hours (assuming neither of us has a coronary).  At $1 Nassau, I won't even care about the strokes.

[TEPaul]

"After I hit my tee shot on # 5, it occured to me that the malaise you seem to have acquired might be a by-product of Lyme Disease."


That's semi-spooky.

You've got to understand--me and Pat know each other pretty well, but I never told him I have Lyme's. Yep, six postive tests in less than ten years. My doctor, who is awesome and my father-law-basically told me, at this point, I will never really get rid of it.

Hey, man, I live on a farm--I cut hay and grass all the time, I walk through the fields, there're a ton of deer here and they obviously carry Lyme ticks. Big damn deal---Lyme ticks have feeling and they have to eat too, right?! 

[John Kirk]

Golf is a sport that asks us to repeat the same movements over and over, and only with great repetition are these movements perfected.  It's a simple game in a complex park.  Walking the course is a "career extender", excellent exercise for the older person.  I might eventually consider quitting the silly game, except I need to keep moving, I love the parks we play in, and I enjoy the companionship of friends.  And like the family pet, I like chasing a ball.

Like everyone here, I take some pride in playing golf well, but I have difficulty comprehending the importance of a consistently high level of play.  If you don't practice and keep your body in shape, you probably won't play very well, and that's OK.  In fact, one might develop a fascination with his own newfound shortcomings.  Maintaining a sense of wonder about all things is a nice way to live. 

Tom P., I'm happy to see you telling stories about the old days in this thread.  I appreciate it.

[Tom_Doak]

Chip:

Thanks for pointing out your reply to my earlier post.

I would agree only to the extent that you and Tom P. will enjoy the game more if you play from shorter tees.

The part I disagree with most strongly is the assumption (though I'll admit it is a pretty common assumption) that great architecture is all designed around making a course HARDER and testing the best players' best shots, and therefore the average golfer will have to suffer as a result.

That is certainly not true on the great links.  All of those contours at St. Andrews are pretty much random, and the most important thing I learned there is that every contour has a good side and a bad side ... the very same little ridge that makes it hard to get close to a hole, is something of a backstop if you are approaching it from the other side.

I've always believed that one of the most interesting things I can do as an architect is to create approaches which allow for (and even sometimes assist) a 3-wood approach shot, but which aren't so easy when you've got an 8-iron in your hands.  It's not so hard to do -- say, a small green with a steep approach, so the 3-wood will bounce up there but the 8-iron will suck back down the hill; or a big helping contour 15 yards in front of the green on the right, which isn't going to be any help for the 8-iron.

That must be why Jack Nicklaus said I don't understand good golf shots.

[paul cowley]

"That must be why Jack Nicklaus said I don't understand good golf shots."

Yeah....because all those neat things you just mentioned happen outside of the green....which means you have to not hit to the green surface for them to have an effect! Why even bother having a definition between the green and its surrounds if your not going to respect it? All that money that goes into Zoysia fairways with bent grass greens and bermuda roughs would be wasted....I'm beginning to think you really are a trouble maker.....and a Dodo too!

These kind of radical thoughts are not going to help you gain ASGCA status. In the future I would be happy if you wanted to first filter them through me.
I'll watch your back.
 
 
 
 

[Pat Brockwell]

One of my ski instructor/guru friends, Weems Westfeldt of Aspen, has written a wonderful book called "Brilliant Skiing Every Day"  you can download it online actually (google brilliant skiing or sports diamond).  He has developed a teaching/self coaching model that helps eliminate the plateau syndrome, it all applies to any sport or learning situation. Check it out, it's brilliant.  As far as the question of should you keep after it...that is exactly what golf is about.  The old pro I grew up around would always ask me "Are you working on your game?"  It's what matters, that and how you work on it.  Embrace cunning and treachery to beat your opponents, the course or time.  Obviously time will prevail, but go out kicking.

[Ian Andrew]

Tom,

My game has eroded to the point where I can't shoot a score. I have lots of work to do to repair my short game but the problem is I have no time to work on it because I'm busy with work.

The kicker is I get invited out constantly to play with members that I work with. This for a long time bothered me when I played inconsistently because I felt embarrassed – I always felt people expected me to play well.

Last year I got so consistently bad that I mentally gave up. I still play when I can but I have zero expectations. The funny part is I began to enjoy the game, picked up when I needed to and I have not kept a scorecard once this year. I have no active handicap and won’t bet anymore – and I enjoy the game more than I have for a long time.

I still have lots of work to do on my game – and I will do once I get some spare time – but at least I’m back to fully enjoying the game. As Fred Shoemaker points out in Extraordinary Golf - nobody knows or cares what you shot – they do remember if you were fun or a complete jackass through.

I remember when we played at Pacific Dunes. You played better than Don and I did but was miserable about how you played. I felt bad for you but could not understand how involved you were with your game and not with the setting. You explained that in the early days of the GCA with a great post that talked about the focus required for competitive golf. Don and I could not have had more fun (we played 27 more later that day) and were laughing at shots that were so wayward that they were pathetic. I think sometimes enjoyment is all perspective.

If I have to, I’ll come down to Philly and we will go out to play 17 holes!

Regards,

Ian

[Doug Wright]

....and what do you think you should do about it when you get lousy when you once could---as some say---"play a little"?

Practice more often

I love the game and playing it, I really do, or maybe I should say I really loved it but I started late and ended pretty early.

I don't get any joy and almost no motivation from playing lousy or the inevitablilty of it.

Then you're not setting goals for yourself.

Do I have to come down to Philly to smack you around to get you to "snap out of it ?"

I figure there can't be a better place than this to ask questions like this.

What have some of you done who've gotten to that point and for the ones who are younger and haven't gotten there what do you think you will do when that time comes as of course it inevitably will some day?

Golf is a game for the ages.
The handicap system will equalize your diminished scoring skills, allowing you to compete on an equal footing with anyone else.

But, let's forget about handicaps for a moment.

There's an inherent pleasure that comes from planning and executing shots.  But, executing becomes more difficult as we get older, hence, the need to practice and to hone our planning skills.

Create goals for yourself.

Two of mine have been to shoot under par every year and to shoot in the sixties every year.  Other than 2004 when I was having some physical problems, I"ve met those goals.  Once I meet them, my new goal is to repeat them.

I've added a goal, I'd now like to shoot my age.
I could have done it about six weeks ago, but I had5 to 6 putts rim out and a few others just miss.  I still finished 3 under from the back tees a GCGC.

Other goals include beating golfers who are better than me, without shots.
On Tuesday I accomplished that goal.

Play in tournaments like the Singles, be fiercely competitive in your mind and your body will follow.

Currently, I"m trying to hit the ball a little farther with my irons while shaping the shot in a high right to left trajectory.

Try to be a great bunker player,  up and downing it most of the time.

Work on the component pieces of your game vis a vis practice and on course challenges.

Learn NEW shots.

Come and play against me, Ran and others whom you delight in beating.

Giving up on golf is giving up on life.

If you couldn't hit the ball out of your own shadow you'd appreciate the game more, you'd strive to be better and you'd think your way around the golf course better.

Don't abandon the game, it's too much a part of your fabric, your life.

Re-embrace it.
Practice, play, practice, gamble, and practice some more.

You'll be surprised how much you start to enjoy the game when you pull off great shots and make great scores.

SNAP OUT OF IT.

Buy a new set of irons and woods, a new bag and get out and play.

Right after I have some surgery I'm coming down to Gulph Mills and getting you back into golf.  You can even invite Wayno to join us.

Never, Never, Never give up on the game.

If it didn't mean so much to me I'm sure it would be no dilemma at all and I wouldn't feel the need to ask a question like this. Somehow I think a passion for golf course architecture filled this void up to maybe a decade ago without me even realizing it. In a way I consider that to be sort of a beautiful thing.

Baloney, or Bologna.

That's a croc and a crutch.

Buy a new set of Taylor Burner Irons, a new driver and 3 wood and get out there and practice and play.

Pat, this is a great post on a great thread by Tom I. I have been thinking about this question--when will my game "jump the shark"--more this year than before.  I don't expect it to anytime soon but every once in awhile when things aren't going right it's easy to think about.

I have a long-term goal that should keep me at this for awhile, and that is to shoot my age. This will require both longevity (ie at least 20 more years) and work to keep my game in decent enough shape. There's no question that physical conditioning/fitness will be critical during this period, and I have started doing some new things towards that end. I think my short game should always be OK, and that can cure a lot of ills and with practice should be sustainable even with advancing age. The shorter term goal is to have some rounds each year in the 70s. If I can do that each year for another 20 I'll be getting closer and closer to my long term goal!

[Joe Bausch]

From a recent Golf Digest is this letter "from the gallery", penned by a person named Sarah, that I think somewhat relates to your thread Tom!  It is from a woman on her 50th wedding anniversary golf trip and she is responding to an earlier article by Dean Reinmuth entitled "How to play a really hard course".  The last few sentences are as follows:

On the last day, at Gleneagles, I checked my ego at the starter's gate, as the article advised.  The first hole rises high above the tee with a giant bunker in front of the green.  Allowing myself to throw the ball out after one try in the bunkers, I surrendered to the joy of the scenery along the North Sea and to taking pictures of pheasants, wild flowers, bunkers and my dear husband.  Who cared what the score was?

[Mickey Boland]

I was fortunate enough to have my 76-year old dad join me this weekend at my home course.  He played with my regular group, but played from tees that were about 5600 yards.  It was a great example to me as to playing a course that fits your game.  I've quit playing 7000+ yard courses for awhile now, and I can see working my way down as I get older.  He shot 83, and could have broken 80 if he had putted better. 

Should I keep up the game after I get older?  Absolutely.  He had a great time, even though he doesn't hit the ball as far as he did when he was younger.  He was a mid-single digit handicapper when he was my age or younger, but he still had fun playing from shorter tees, although he constantly complained about his loss of distance off of the tee.  It's funny how our roles have reversed.  I had to remind him that we're out here to have a good time, and jokingly tell him that if he keeps it up I'm going to send him back to the clubhouse.  Pretty much exactly what he told me when I was 16 or 17. 

Even at my relatively young age of 52, I have had to make compromises between what I think I can do and what I can actually do.  I dread the day I can't make it around at least 9 holes.  I love playing golf, and will play it as long as I can.

[Dan Herrmann]

Thanks to Pat Mucci's post, I set some ambitious goals for myself yesterday.  Played from the tips for the 3rd time all year, and had my best round of the year.  Only reason I didn't break 80 was that I was crazy tired because we decided to walk (and walking at our place is about a 5.5 mile hike).  But I felt so good about it that I'm going to use Mucci's Musings as my new golf mantra.

(only if Patrick doesn't get a big ego over my fawning, that is!)

[ChipOat]

Tom Doak's post # 68 may be the most golf architecture-intense observation I've ever seen on this DG.  It's probably impossible to have many like it except by the practicing architects who post on this site.

It is, however, exactly what Ran has in mind for GCA - if only...............

Tom:

First, I confess I'm not observant enough to see the kind of creative work you described when I play a hole the first 3-4 times unless it's pointed out to me so, alas, I may not be the target audience you're hoping to reach when you build holes like that.  I'm not proud of it, but I've had to play National a lot more than many GCA'ers in order to really appreciate the marvelous golf architecture that abounds there.

However, now that I know what to look for on at least one kind of classic Tom Doak hole, I still will have a problem executing a good swing with a 3 Wood (3 Metal?) when I'm at the age that your hole is designed to be easier for me than now (with the 8 iron)!

So even though I now understand that good golf architecture doesn't have to result in a harder golf hole, I still contend that every shot gets harder to execute as one ages (although maybe that's just me).

If all I did was get shorter, your point would be spot-on.  But I'm not just getting shorter, I'm getting genrally less competent across the board.  I think I will still need that short, flat muni with the flat circular greens, no rough and bunkers that are barely 6 inches deep.

Either way, you taught me more on that one post than I've ever seen before on GCA.

[Dan Herrmann]

Chip - thanks for that post - Somehow I missed TD's post #68.  You're absolutely right - this was golden stuff.

[Jimbo]

I haven't read any but the first 3 posts so forgive if I repeat...

I love golf.
I am no good at the stroke play game, but I understand it.

The most fun I've had EVER has been at match play with my equally inept brother in law just a couple of months ago.  Lying 7 , 30 yds from the green, and being alive for the hole is exciting!

Maybe we need to market golf in this way....

[Rich Goodale]

From a recent Golf Digest is this letter "from the gallery", penned by a person named Sarah, that I think somewhat relates to your thread Tom!  It is from a woman on her 50th wedding anniversary golf trip and she is responding to an earlier article by Dean Reinmuth entitled "How to play a really hard course".  The last few sentences are as follows:

On the last day, at Gleneagles, I checked my ego at the starter's gate, as the article advised.  The first hole rises high above the tee with a giant bunker in front of the green.  Allowing myself to throw the ball out after one try in the bunkers, I surrendered to the joy of the scenery along the North Sea and to taking pictures of pheasants, wild flowers, bunkers and my dear husband.  Who cared what the score was?

Joe

In placing Gleneagles "along the North Sea," Sarah epitomizes one of the greatest joys about being a wrinkly, i.e.  that you can enjoy (and even recount) those increasing number of "Senior Moments" with impunity.

Doug

The "Jump the Shark" anaolgy is very apropos for this discussion.  Over the past 2-3 years, my handicap had been creeping up from a solid 5-6 to a wobbly 8.  I got dropped by the scratch team at my club, and wondered if I was ever going to be able to come back.  I resolved this year to try to improve, not by practising (as I have never been keen on that mindless activity), but by playing and trying to think about how and why I was playing.  Well....this didn't work either, as my first 2-3 competitive rounds of the year were disasters, and I had visions of playing in double digits soon and probably for the rest of my life.  Then, for whatever reason, in probably one of the most difficult conditions of the year (3-club wind), I began to strike the ball like I did when I was a young pup of 55, and got my handicap cut close to 6.  Then there was yet another stretch of medicority until all came reasonably well together again in a one-day 36-hole scratch Open and I'm now just one slightly better than average round away from playing off 5 again.

I can see this roller coaster continuing throughout my dotage, and I play regularly with enough very good senior players to know that ride is not necessarily always downhill.  Just last week in Dornoch a 70-year old shot his age in the Carnegie Shield and finsihed second low scratch in the qualifying rounds.  Hope springs eternal.

TEP

Watching you hit golf shots at Gulph Mills a few weeks ago, I know that you can play now and into the future better than I will ever be able to.  I also thank you, BTW, for giving me the courage to put my 64 degree wedge in my bag.  It is one of those weapons that can be invaluable for us geezers.

paul c.

GCA Seniors event by all means!  Organise it and we will hobble to it, en masse.  If you wear your kilt, I'll try to find my thaub (look to the left of this post) in the attic, and we can play together in the Ladies section.

Rich

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