When is it time to quit?

[Bob_Huntley]

An old friend wrote this many years ago.

“No golfer finds true peace until he places his clubs in the attic for the very last time!”

When will you know it's time to put the clubs away?


This is an interesting article on Henry Longhurst.

http://www.pyecombegolfclub.com/HenryLonghurst.htm


Bob

[Chris Ord]

...out of my cold, dead hands!

[PCCraig]

When I have to get rid of my 2-iron for a hybrid.

When I can't break 90.

When I need a pull cart.  

[Anthony Gray]

  Finding peace.........I guess golf is not ment to bring peace....even the greats leave strokes out on the course.

  The most peaceful place to be is alone walking a course. Bandon Dunes 16 at sunset. Pebble Beach 7 tee box at night. TOC sunday evening.

  Anthony

[Bill_McBride]

When I have to get rid of my 2-iron for a hybrid.

When I can't break 90.

When I need a pull cart.  

Stick around, Pat!  I can still usually break 90, still carry most of the time, but haven't hit a 2-iron in 20 years.  Turned 67 today.  Age comes to everybody, you just have to wait!

Bob, I bought a compilation of Henry Longhurst's biographical essays ("The Best of Henry Longhurst") in North Berwick a few years ago and chuckled at his stories the rest of the trip.  He seemed none too pleased when he gave up the game.  I know I'll be the same way.  These days are challenging but still enjoyable, particularly in the right company on the right courses!

[Mike Nuzzo]

Some people should have quit long ago.
Not you Bob.
I hope you never quit.

[Eric Smith]

Stick around, Pat!  I can still usually break 90, still carry most of the time, but haven't hit a 2-iron in 20 years.  Turned 67 today.  Age comes to everybody, you just have to wait!

Happy Birthday Ace!

[JSlonis]

...out of my cold, dead hands!

I'll 2nd this nomination.

Pat,

Many of the best players on the world now carry hybrids, what's the aversion?

If you look at the top and middle club in the picture below you'll notice that the hybrid look was around well before the modern version.  many of those old clubs look a lot like today's models and are shaped quite the same.

[Peter Pallotta]

Bob -

I don't know what it will take for me to quit, or when that will happen. I'm guessing it's a much harder decision for those who once played the game very well.  They'd feel/experience the decline more acutely than most, but would likely have had many more years of pleasant associations tied to the game.

John Barrymore once said "A man is old only when regrets take the place of his dreams." 

Thanks for the article on Mr. Longhurst. Do you remember the 75 Masters: Weiskopf makes the putt on 15 and Ben Wright says "Ah, evil music to the ears of Mr. Nicklaus".  But then Jack drills in his 40 footer on 16, and Henry Longhurst says "And now, young Mr. Weiskopf will have to take it, just as he dished it out".  Great stuff.  Maybe more announcers should take up drinking to excess...

Peter

[Anthony Gray]

Bob -

I don't know what it will take for me to quit, or when that will happen. I'm guessing it's a much harder decision for those who once played the game very well.  They'd feel/experience the decline more acutely than most, but would likely have had many more years of pleasant associations tied to the game.

John Barrymore once said "A man is old only when regrets take the place of his dreams." 

Thanks for the article on Mr. Longhurst. Do you remember the 75 Masters: Weiskopf makes the putt on 15 and Ben Wright says "Ah, evil music to the ears of Mr. Nicklaus".  But then Jack drills in his 40 footer on 16, and Henry Longhurst says "And now, young Mr. Weiskopf will have to take it, just as he dished it out".  Great stuff.  Maybe more announcers should take up drinking to excess...

Peter

  Peter,

  This is one of the best posts ever. I hope I never stop dreaming.

  Two weeks ago a member won a 3000 dollar hole in one pot. It was on the 7th hole. He had one bogey to show on the previous holes. By the way he is 78..........NEVER QUIT!!!

  Anthony

[Anthony Gray]

My dad quit when he realized he couldn't break 80 anymore.

History repeats itself.  I find myself thinking the same way.  I've always said "it's more fun to suck."  But veritas generally trumps hyperbole. 

  High handicapers have more fun.

  Anthony

[Pete_Pittock]

When you start taking long walks with a ball retriever?
It is not time to quit after taking delivery of several new golf clubs which
will again prove the fallacy of being able to buy a game.

Coincidentally I just got Longhurst's non-golf book Spice of Life this weekend

[Bob_Huntley]

When I have to get rid of my 2-iron for a hybrid.

When I can't break 90.

When I need a pull cart.  

Pat,

Damn it, you have made up my mind for me. I qualify on all three counts.

Bob

[TEPaul]

"When will you know it's time to put the clubs away?"

Bob:

You will know it's the time when it no longer occurs to you that you shouldn't put the clubs away for good.

[Adam Clayman]

It's a pity anyone would consider giving up the sport because they can not score as well as they once did. One of the negative repercussions of becoming a good player, I suppose?

Thanks for confirming my apathy about ever getting better.

[Steve Salmen]

I've thought of this often.  I will quit when I accept that I will never improve.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

I agree with Steve, when I belive no part of my game can improve
ie
never see the day!

[Anthony Gray]

It's a pity anyone would consider giving up the sport because they can not score as well as they once did. One of the negative repercussions of becoming a good player, I suppose?

Thanks for confirming my apathy about ever getting better.

  Adam,

  Nice post. I pity the ones that only find pleasure from golf based on thier performance. Where is the romance?

   Anthony

[Dave_Miller]

An old friend wrote this many years ago.

“No golfer finds true peace until he places his clubs in the attic for the very last time!”

When will you know it's time to put the clubs away?


This is an interesting article on Henry Longhurst.

http://www.pyecombegolfclub.com/HenryLonghurst.htm


Bob

Bob:
Hopefully Never. Golf wasn't ever meant to give one peace.  Regardless of skill level the game frustrates all.  Putting the Clubs away will not change this so don't ever give up.
Fairways and Greens forever
Dave

[JESII]

Are there actually any adults that "only find pleasure from golf based on their performance"?

[Bob_Huntley]

Jim,

I know several professional golfers who derive little pleasure from the game.

Bob

[Anthony Gray]

 

[Carl Johnson]

When I can no longer find someone who I enjoy playing with and who is willing to play with me.

[Ian Andrew]

I played much worse now than I did when I was a junior - but I enjoy playing much more now than I ever did before.

The answer is Never - if your having fun.

I feel very sorry for anyone if their enjoyment is dictated by what they shoot.

[Anthony Gray]

When I can no longer find someone who I enjoy playing with and who is willing to play with me.

   

  Looks like I'll be golfing for a very long time.

  Anthony