A course for your old age

[Tommy Williamsen]

I am at Hidden Creek for four days this week. At 72 I don't hit it very long or very high. I like being able to bounce it in from 185-200 yards. I don't need it difficult to get on the greens but I don't mind greens that can make you look silly. This is a course for my old age. It is perfect for older guys. I had an 80 year old friend here in July and he thought it was perfect for him as well. You have to think your way around the course but if you are good strategically you can score well even if you don't hit it high or long.
Got any other favorites for your old age?

[jeffwarne]

I can't imagine it won't be the same ones I enjoy now.
Palmetto, Augusta CC, Southampton GC
Most older links and heathland courses overseas
Nearly any course designed before irrigation became more important than fun, creativity and strategy

[Peter Pallotta]

As per Jeff’s post:
Played last weekend at a friend’s club (course built in the early ‘20s) with him and two members who were in their late 70s. With open fronts to contoured greens, they did just fine — indeed, fine enough to beat both of us ‘youngsters’ by more than a few shots! Why? Because they both hit the ball solidly every time, and straight, and could chip and putt like the wily veterans (and very good golfers) they were/are.

[Ira Fishman]

Hard to imagine anything better than walking across the street on alternate days from Pine Needles to Mid Pines and back. Unless it is alternating between Brora and Golspie.


Ira

[Tim Martin]

Hard to imagine anything better than walking across the street on alternate days from Pine Needles to Mid Pines and back. Unless it is alternating between Brora and Golspie.


Ira

Ira-Good call on Mid Pines and Pine Needles.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I can't imagine it won't be the same ones I enjoy now.
Palmetto, Augusta CC, Southampton GC
Most older links and heathland courses overseas
Nearly any course designed before irrigation became more important than fun, creativity and strategy

Agree on Palmetto and ACC but they are pretty hilly for walking. Hidden Creek is flatish. Easy walking course. Forgot to mention that.

[jeffwarne]

I can't imagine it won't be the same ones I enjoy now.
Palmetto, Augusta CC, Southampton GC
Most older links and heathland courses overseas
Nearly any course designed before irrigation became more important than fun, creativity and strategy

Agree on Palmetto and ACC but they are pretty hilly for walking. Hidden Creek is flatish. Easy walking course. Forgot to mention that.

very good point
Southampton-not flat(3,4,5) but less severe than the other two

[Philip Hensley]

Hard to imagine anything better than walking across the street on alternate days from Pine Needles to Mid Pines and back. Unless it is alternating between Brora and Golspie.


Ira

That's called "Sunday" down here!

[Carl Rogers]

Dormie requires only 2 forced carries from the forward tees, hole 9 & hole 13. 
However, very hard walk, particularly in hot weather.


Riverfront, for the 180 yard carry golfer, is very playable for the thoughtful.

[archie_struthers]

 


Tommy, welcome to the neighborhood. Enjoy your time at Hidden Creek, its quite fun. Roger Hansen made a good choice 30 years ago when he wanted Crenshaw and Coore to build him a golf course!


Sorry we are having some bad weather while you are here> 

[Tom_Doak]

Riverfront, for the 180 yard carry golfer, is very playable for the thoughtful.

Pretty much every course I have built falls into this category; even Sebonack, according to the older members I know.


I think I would take The Loop in my old age. Shots roll out farther, and the reversibility would keep my mind sharp.

[Dave McCollum]

As others have pointed out, the ability to hit the 185-200+ yard approach shot is the dividing line for geezers and what courses work for them.  If you don't have this shot, move up to the front tees, or accept it will be hard to compete with players who do.  For the last 10-15 years I've watched my golf pals lose this shot and have to change their games significantly to accommodate.  Now I'm getting there too.  I can still hit it, but I screw it up as often as I pull it off.       

[Duncan Cheslett]

I’ve never really had the 200 yard approach shot!


I’m dynamite however, from 30 yards in. I’d much rather be 30 yards short of the green than 30 yards wide of it!


I’m not even 60 yet but I play old mans golf!

[Sean_A]

I think my choice would be Woking, maybe Pulborough. There is some elevation change, but its gentle and interesting.  The Sacred 9 may be an option...

Happy Hockey

[Steve Lapper]

I feel this thread deserves a larger font!
With one knee replacement, the other not too far away, and a surgically repaired achilles & heel..... this is a subject that resonates quite strongly for me.

In the NY-NJ-CT Met Section places like Hollywood G.C., Winged Foot East, Rockaway Hunt Club, Seawane,and CC of Fairfield immediately come to mind.
Hidden Creek is indeed a prime example, as is Atlantic City CC.

All of them are exceptionally good examples of strategy-rich architecture providing both ample fun and test.

Of course, one might cite plenty of courses in various Sunbelt locales that will satisfy the older golfer, yet only a small percentage really have the proper blends of strategic interest and high fun quotients. Most are simply venues that supply the older golfing demographic with some kind of basic nearby product.

Golf is a game most of us can enjoy well through senility....a condition several of us are already subject to....yet don't admit it!!!

[Tim Martin]

Cape Arundel GC
Seaview Bay
Bass Rocks GC

[corey miller]

In agreement with Lapper on Rockaway Hunting Club.  6400 yards from the back tees, can be played with no forced carries, fast and firm, little to no rough, non-treacherous bunkers (to get in and out of), run-up shots galore,  and a very nice walk in the park.


And what is the total elevation change on the property?  Also think it has the best use of tee angles of any course in the Met Area.  Renovation has done wonders, hope the club is "hand off" for another 90 years. 


Still trying to get my arms around why this 6400 yard course (member tees) plays so much better than a 6900 yard course with member tees of 6400. 


Usually windy...is that a negative for an older person walking?

[Tim Martin]

In agreement with Lapper on Rockaway Hunting Club.  6400 yards from the back tees, can be played with no forced carries, fast and firm, little to no rough, non-treacherous bunkers (to get in and out of), run-up shots galore,  and a very nice walk in the park.


And what is the total elevation change on the property?  Also think it has the best use of tee angles of any course in the Met Area.  Renovation has done wonders, hope the club is "hand off" for another 90 years. 


Still trying to get my arms around why this 6400 yard course (member tees) plays so much better than a 6900 yard course with member tees of 6400. 


Usually windy...is that a negative for an older person walking?

I think RHC is a great choice and is a blast to play. That said the airport(s) traffic takes a little getting used to. Inwood as well as a few other courses in the Five Towns area have the same issue.

[Lynn_Shackelford]

Hidden Creek is a good choice.  If I could find a problem it might be some walks from green to next tee.  Otherwise a delightful place for senior golf.
I can't think of a flatter course I have played recently than Rockaway Hunting.  And Jim Wagner's work makes it more playable and enjoyable for a senior(lack of rough).  Normally I don't think outstanding courses are completely flat, but it is not a bothersome thing at RHC.  What a lovely setting to enjoy one's senior years of golf.  Normally there is a very short walk to the next tee, a feature that is becoming more important the older one gets.  Due to the firmness a course that could be equally enjoyable with just 9 clubs in the bag.  Another important feature for the "golden years."

[BCrosby]

I like Sean's choices of Woking and Pulborough. I might add Liphook.


Bob

[Ira Fishman]

Woking is a terrific choice.  It has the added advantage if you feel as if 18 may not be in cards, you can just take the five steps off the back of 14 and have a beer.


Ira

[Ian Galbraith]

Cape Arundel GC
Seaview Bay
Bass Rocks GC

Being a member of the Bass Rock Golf Club in East Lothian I'm always intrigued by the Bass RockS Golf Club when the name pops up.
Are there Bass RockS near the club?


Ian

[Tim Martin]

Cape Arundel GC
Seaview Bay
Bass Rocks GC

Being a member of the Bass Rock Golf Club in East Lothian I'm always intrigued by the Bass RockS Golf Club when the name pops up.
Are there Bass RockS near the club?


Ian

Ian-Bass Rocks was a section of Gloucester on the Cape Ann coastline and the name was used for both the golf course and hotel. Although rocky I don’t think it is nearly as dramatic as what’s in Scotland.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I feel this thread deserves a larger font!

Golf is a game most of us can enjoy well through senility....a condition several of us are already subject to....yet don't admit it!!!

I've told my wife when I lose it mentally just drive me to the first tee and pick me up three hours later. I'll always know what to do on a golf course.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

As a senior resident of the Sunbelt, living in Arizona, I tend to agree with Steve Lapper that most of the courses in West Valley "active adult" age restricted communities are fairly basic with out or very few forced carries , flat as a pancake and  are "senior friendly" with most greens lacking in character. Of course, there are exceptions- Copper Canyon at Sun City Festival, Grandview at SC West, Cimaron at SC Grand, Tuscany Falls West at Pebble Creek, Wigwam Gold at the Wigwam Resort and Victory at Verrado. Walking the course in residential communities is very rare here even in the cooler seasons-some long distances between greens and tees. Forget about walking here in the summer. 


I might add that Desert Forest and Phoenix CC have " national memberships" that are available for those interested in walking.


I agree that Hidden Creek is an excellent choice for senior golfers seeking walking and  "strategy-rich architecture providing both ample fun and a test."
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