Staying Happy as We Get Older.....

[Jeff_Brauer]

I had a discussion the other day that reminded me that my grandfather used to tell me that the secret to staying happy as you got older was to keep a new challenge out in front of you.

So, presuming this is true, as a golfer, golf design enthusiast, or professional in the golf industry, what will be YOUR next challenge undertaken to keep you satisfied in this game/hobby/ or if applicable, profession?

I am thinking in terms of learning something new, acquiring a new skill set, or deeper understanding, and not "playing Pine Valley."

[Mac Plumart]

Breaking 80

[Dan Herrmann]

Mac,
Breaking 80 is great (I did my yearly 78 on Saturday), but it won't satisfy like shooting even par for 9 holes.  I'm not nearly good enough for even par for 18, but I can do even par for 9 if the planets are aligned and I take my time on the greens.  And I get lucky.

I turned 50 this year, and work  in IT.  Every challenge is there for me, because you need to reinvent yourself ever 3-5 years in this business, and it's tough.  But it's also exciting to bring technical skills to play along with 25 years experience. But it's obviously not as fun as golf.

I want to continue to learn about GCA, to learn how to control nerves on the course, and to travel to exciting new places to play (economy willing).  For example, I really enjoy GCA get-togethers like the one Anthony just set up at The Orchards, the Dixie Cup, or Patrick's sessions.  And I've been humbled to be able to play wonderful places with wonderful  GCA hosts.

What could be better for a kid that used to have to ball hawk out of nasty water hazards at night than to be able to see what I've seen - to play where I have -  as an adult.  (We were far from poor, but we weren't exactly frequenting private clubs either )  I'm truly thankful.

[Bradley Anderson]

If I get my golf course through this summer without loosing any grass that would sure make me happy.   Two more weeks.

[Mac Plumart]

Dan...

no doubt you are correct.  Jeff asked for our next challenge related to golf.  That is my next one.  After that it will be a new one, most likely not related to score at all. 

That is what I love about the game...the challenge is never ending...and the topics to study are never ending as well.  In fact, I think I have found my perfect hobby.  A game that can never be conquered and a subject that can continuosly be studied.

 

[DMoriarty]

For me it is all about playing Pine Valley.  Preferably Pine Valley and Augusta National on the same day.  But I don't want to set my goals too high.  First I have to figure out whose ass I gotta kiss, and how much I gotta kiss it?   Perhaps those of you who have accomplished this goal or are currently working on it could help me out and tell me how to do it, because frankly I don't think I'm all that great at it. 

[Jeff_Brauer]

David,

I would have pegged you as someone whose next big challenge was to finally develope a sense of humor.  But I freely admit I must be wrong!

I once pulled in a lot of favors for a client who wanted to play Pine Valley and they decided at the last minute not to show up, nor call anyone to say they wouldn't show up.  If you ever get the chance, I would suggest you use it.....

Mac,

You kind of hit on what could be a challenge for me.  I had dinner with Tom Watson one night and he went on a bit about how he approached every round of golf as a work of art.  (I may have to repost this one in the Lyle Lovett thread)  Anyway, every so often I think about that as I prep myself for a round and try to play at least one round all the way through, using all my concentration to shoot a good score.  I really can't do it.

[Dan Herrmann]

Jeff,
Neither can I.  I'm a poster child for Johnny Miller's "you chokin dog" school.  Woof, woof!  

You know what I find makes me very happy  --  Finding new architectural nuggets wherever I play.   For example, I played Wintonbury Hills in CT for the 2nd time last week..  Found some really cool features out there the first time I played about 4 years ago. 

I suggest everybody try to spot one new GCA feature, no matter how small or "boring" every time out. 

[DMoriarty]

David,I once pulled in a lot of favors for a client who wanted to play Pine Valley and they decided at the last minute not to show up, nor call anyone to say they wouldn't show up.  If you ever get the chance, I would suggest you use it.....

Perhaps your next goal should be to become a better judge of character.

[Peter Pallotta]

Mac, Jeff - yup, I wouldn't have thought of it unless you posted, but that's it for me too, i.e. I just want to be able to pay attention for 18 holes, for a whole round of golf. I want to be present for each shot, instead of thinking about my last lousy shot (or ten) or whether I'd forgotten to email that guy about that thing we talked about the other day....

Peter

[Jeff_Brauer]

David,I once pulled in a lot of favors for a client who wanted to play Pine Valley and they decided at the last minute not to show up, nor call anyone to say they wouldn't show up.  If you ever get the chance, I would suggest you use it.....

Perhaps your next goal should be to become a better judge of character.

David,

You know, I really did think that even as I was calling in the favors.  While these clients were noveau riche from South Texas, sometimes the old guard of the NE and their ways, don't jive with such people.

[jim_lewis]

Mine is an opinion that most young guys will not believe.

I think the secret to being happy with your golf game when you are older is to not play too much.

I have been retired for a decade (68 in November), and most of the guys I play golf with are retired. Many of them play golf 5 or 6 days a week, most every week. In my opinion most of those guys play nearly every day, not because they love to play that much, but because they have little or no life outside of golf. Hence they play golf many days for lack of anything else to do. This is particularly true of private club members who can play "free" every day. They almost feel committed to playing.

I think the secret to happiness is to limit your golf to 2 or 3 days each week and find other interests to occupy your time on the other days.
That way you can retain your desire to play because you love it, instead of lack of options.

Works for me.
Jim Lewis

[Anthony Gray]

For me it is all about playing Pine Valley.  Preferably Pine Valley and Augusta National on the same day.  But I don't want to set my goals too high.  First I have to figure out whose ass I gotta kiss, and how much I gotta kiss it?   Perhaps those of you who have accomplished this goal or are currently working on it could help me out and tell me how to do it, because frankly I don't think I'm all that great at it. 

 I with you David on this one.With matching Bucket hats.

  Anthony

[Jeff_Brauer]

Jim,

Interesting perspective. I recently spoke with a gent who is nearly 90 and couldn't play because of our 100 degree heat wave. 

But what really strikes me when I talk with older golfers is that they are very much at peace with hitting the driver about 2/3 of what they used to, while others just can't get over loss of distance and power.  I think this gent was happy because, in essence, golf was a new challenge to him - a challenge to develop his short game to over come the added shots elsewhere, which he took on quite willingly.

[jim_lewis]

Jeff:

My comment was intended to be a generalization. There are many exceptions. I even know a few.

I will add that one thing that I really enjoy as I get older and shorter (I've always been short), is to beat some younger guy who is much longer than me off the tee. Does not happen often enough. A few years ago a friend and I won the member-guest at his club. We were the oldest guys in the field. Now that was fun.

[Jeff_Brauer]

To have won the member-guest at his club as the oldest guys in the field would be fun.  And for most of us, perhaps the highlight of a amateur golf career.  Hey, there is another topic right there!

[Ron Csigo]

...taking my boys to the range for the first time and watching them whack balls beside their old man!

[Philippe Binette]

a full 18 hole renovation that will present great golf architecture for the golfing public in quebec

[mike_beene]

there will come a day when The Old Course ridiculous pitch and putt setup will actually be the correct length.But by then they may have decided to use the back tees...

[Don_Mahaffey]

For me on a professional level it’s all about working on ways to build and maintain golf good courses with fewer resources. I'm a firm believer that we've let the investment needed to develop a golf course and the expenditures required to maintain our golf courses get way out of line. Before I leave the golf management business I hope to help prove that you can have good golf on a well maintained course for 30-50% less than what we see as averages right now.

[Ben Sims]

For me on a professional level it’s all about working on ways to build and maintain golf good courses with fewer resources. I'm a firm believer that we've let the investment needed to develop a golf course and the expenditures required to maintain our golf courses get way out of line. Before I leave the golf management business I hope to help prove that you can have good golf on a well maintained course for 30-50% less than what we see as averages right now.

Using the resources of an education gained through people like Don and in formal arenas like Penn State to make this dream a reality.   Golf can be fun, challenging and yes, fiscally solvent with the right budget and smart people.  Just ask the folks that built CommonGround, Wolf Point, and Rustic Canyon.  

Until then I just want to keep the pointy end forward and the tires on the bottom.

[A.G._Crockett]

I had a discussion the other day that reminded me that my grandfather used to tell me that the secret to staying happy as you got older was to keep a new challenge out in front of you.

So, presuming this is true, as a golfer, golf design enthusiast, or professional in the golf industry, what will be YOUR next challenge undertaken to keep you satisfied in this game/hobby/ or if applicable, profession?

I am thinking in terms of learning something new, acquiring a new skill set, or deeper understanding, and not "playing Pine Valley."

Jeff,
A great question that I've thought about for a full day now before posting.

I'm 58, and as I think about golf in the years to come, I worry about having an affordable place to play with guys that I enjoy being with.  I am less interested every year in seeing new and different golf courses if it means high dollars to do so; I'm much happier being with my son or my brother or the guys that I taught and coached HS with for 30 years.  But the money aspect of the whole thing worries for the years to come.

So my challenge to keep myself satisfied will be to find that place, I suppose.

[Patrick_Mucci]

I had a discussion the other day that reminded me that my grandfather used to tell me that the secret to staying happy as you got older was to keep a new challenge out in front of you.

So, presuming this is true, as a golfer, golf design enthusiast, or professional in the golf industry, what will be YOUR next challenge undertaken to keep you satisfied in this game/hobby/ or if applicable, profession?

I am thinking in terms of learning something new, acquiring a new skill set, or deeper understanding, and not "playing Pine Valley."

Jeff,

I think the "challenge" presented by the game is the inherent lure.

The unique thing about the "Challenge" the game presents is that it differs, from day to day, week to week, month to month.

Your ball striking might be good but your putting lacking, so you work on your putting and it improves, but then your driving goes awry.

This cycle of challenge is unending.

Even the best golfers in the world experience it, albeit not as dramatically as the rest of us.
Although, Ian Baker Finch and David Duval may take exception to that statement.

Since October of 2002 I've been hitting my irons poorly, yet, my driving has been exceptional.

Just the other day I think I figured out why my irons have been off, but, I have a feeling that if I modify my swing to correct my iron game, it will adversely affect my driving game.

So the eternal quest continues.

I once said that golf is a game, a journey into the unknown on a playing field that's very familiar.

While we may have played a course 100 or 1,000 times and are very familiar with it, we never know what "game" we'll show up with on any given day.

In fact, it's more elusive than that.

One of the best rounds of my life came at TCC, after I had had the absolutely worst pre-game practice session of my life.
Conversely, I've had great pre-game practice sessions and then played horribly.
So, we never know what part of our game will be good or bad, hence the challenge is always there, and fun to meet.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Jeff, It is a 4 letter word. PORN!! lol I totally agree with you to keep your life in front of you. I feel living in the past with an inactive mind is a good speedy path away from a fulfilling life.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Jeff, your grandfather is right.  I am 63 and still am looking for new things.  I went skydiving for the first time on Tuesday.  What a rush to drop 7000 feet in less than a minute before pulling the cord.