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Steve Wilson

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OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« on: May 29, 2021, 12:03:43 PM »
On the thread about where Phil ranks all time, Jeff Warne mentions that Snead was shooting his age on the tour in the 1970s even if it was the senior tour.  That's a remarkable testament to his longevity, and it leads me to the question of what percentage of golfers ever shoot their age? 


Obviously you have to be pretty damned good to do it, and even though it would, theoretically, get easier with age you obviously have to preserve sufficient health and strength to overcome what remains the greatest obstacle in golf--distance.


First of all ability winnows a lot of the chaff and then age begins a second round of threshing.


Who on here has shot their age and what was your age when you did it?  For those of us who haven't, do you expect to and how long do you think you will have to live?   
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Andrew Harvie

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Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2021, 12:45:00 PM »
I need 6 more years before it's even possible on 9 holes, because I don't see myself shooting 23 (or anyone) anytime soon
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Tommy Williamsen

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Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2021, 12:51:23 PM »
I have shot my age only twice. My game isn't as good anymore but once in a while I can find it for a round. I really wanted to shoot my age before I turned 70. I shot 69 when I was 69 in a senior event where I live. I had a six foot left to right downhill putt on the last hole to do it. It went right in the middle. Now the tees I played were only about 6100 yards (par 71) and the course is very user friendly but I still had to get it in the hole.


The second time was when I was 73 and shot it on the button at Ballyhack from tees that were about 6100 yards. 6100 yards at Ballyhack is still a bunch. I made three putts that were over 20 feet and got up and down from everywhere. It was one of those days where everything worked.


I have been close a few other times but just not good enough. Last year I never got close enough to even think about it.


What I have to decide is if shooting my age will count if I ever move up to tees that are shorter than 6000 yards. I don't think so.
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Pete_Pittock

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Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2021, 12:56:41 PM »
Will be 76 next month and haven't come close, if it happens it will be from the red or "pink" tees. I play a couple of times a month with someone who shoots their age (85) more than half the time. He has an athletic swing, I don't. Played with an 'uncle' who was shooting his age when a centenarian.

Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2021, 01:17:40 PM »
Will be 76 next month and haven't come close, if it happens it will be from the red or "pink" tees. I play a couple of times a month with someone who shoots their age (85) more than half the time. He has an athletic swing, I don't. Played with an 'uncle' who was shooting his age when a centenarian.


Your uncle is my hero!
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Adam Lawrence

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Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2021, 01:51:04 PM »
I remember being at an ASGCA meeting once when there was a brief presentation about an architect who had been the presenter's mentor. One of the things mentioned was the large number of times he had shot his age. A voice from the back of the room piped up: "My dad's pissed if he doesn't shoot five under his age." It was Perry Dye.
Adam Lawrence

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Jonathan Cummings

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Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2021, 02:55:42 PM »
There is a guy at my FL club who is 92 and ridiculously fit.  He shoots his age every time he plays estimating that he has done so 1000+ times. 


It led me to post a question (don't remember if it was here, Maxes, or elsewhere), who holds the record for the most age shoots?  The response is that there is an 80+ year old guy who played on the senior tour (don't remember but he was a no-name) who claims he has shot his age 1500 times.


Doug Bolls

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2021, 02:56:17 PM »
I have shot my age (or under) 23 times - so far.  I first shot it the week I turned 73 at a good municipal course in Grapevine, TX.  I started birdie, birdie, birdie and for some reason the good shots just kept coming.  I remember needing a 5-hybrid into the last green and hoping I wouldn't top it into the stuff to the right.  Made the two-putt par.


JK had a contest on here about that time about describing a golfing experience using every letter in the alphabet as the beginning of each word.  I won that contest writing a poem about the above round.


Interesting thought:  Do you still count the rounds as accomplishments as you lose distance off the tee and move up?  I play the forward tees now (I'm 79) and use a strong 3-wood off the tee.  Most of my first shots are in the 165-185 yard range.  From the 2nd shot in, I'm usually playing with everyone else. So, I am still counting.


 



jeffwarne

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2021, 04:41:33 PM »
On the thread about where Phil ranks all time, Jeff Warne mentions that Snead was shooting his age on the tour in the 1970s even if it was the senior tour.  That's a remarkable testament to his longevity, and it leads me to the question of what percentage of golfers ever shoot their age? 




There was no Senior Tour in the 70's.
Sam did it twice in the same event on the(regular) PGA Tour, shooting a 67 at age 67 then a 66 two days later.
https://www.pga.com/archive/news/golf-buzz/youngest-player-shoot-age-or-better-pga-tour
At that time 40 was considered pretty old for athlete, even for a golfer.
67? just wow.
Snead also made the cut at the PGA that year....
 
« Last Edit: May 29, 2021, 04:49:19 PM by jeffwarne »
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

John Crowley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2021, 05:08:29 PM »
There is a guy at my FL club who is 92 and ridiculously fit.  He shoots his age every time he plays estimating that he has done so 1000+ times. 


It led me to post a question (don't remember if it was here, Maxes, or elsewhere), who holds the record for the most age shoots?  The response is that there is an 80+ year old guy who played on the senior tour (don't remember but he was a no-name) who claims he has shot his age 1500 times.


Probably Loyal “Bud” Chapman, long time member at Minneapolis Golf Club and somewhere in FL in winter. He was the artist that created the famous fantasy golf holes published in Golf Digest in the 60’ or 70’s. He kept count and last time I played with him it was 3,000+ times. He was scratch until probably age 75.


He passed away last year at age 97 and had a tee time for the day he died. I played with him on my 75th birthday at MGC. He was 94 and shot 79 that day from forward tees, but 79! That same year he had shot a 70 and a 71 on his course in FL.
I believe the first time he shot his age was at 65 or 66. About that time he briefly lead the U.S. Senior Open at Hazeltine.

John Crowley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2021, 05:15:18 PM »
On the thread about where Phil ranks all time, Jeff Warne mentions that Snead was shooting his age on the tour in the 1970s even if it was the senior tour.  That's a remarkable testament to his longevity, and it leads me to the question of what percentage of golfers ever shoot their age? 


Obviously you have to be pretty damned good to do it, and even though it would, theoretically, get easier with age you obviously have to preserve sufficient health and strength to overcome what remains the greatest obstacle in golf--distance.


First of all ability winnows a lot of the chaff and then age begins a second round of threshing.


Who on here has shot their age and what was your age when you did it?  For those of us who haven't, do you expect to and how long do you think you will have to live?


In a few years Phil could become the youngest age shooter. A couple years ago he set the course record,58 at the Plantation in Indio, CA.

jeffwarne

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2021, 05:53:38 PM »
Shooting one's age is FAR more common these days with the proliferation of "senior" tees, often on courses with 5 ,6 or even 7 sets. as well as with modern equipment(longer lighter drivers with appropriate loft and lofted fairway woods and hybrids).
Most courses until the late 80's had blue, white and red tees, with senior men loathe to play anything but the whites(the regular tee, second only to the blues), which were far longer than the senior tees of today, which ,while they now may be white(or green or gold) in color, are far closer to women's tee yardages of yesteryear(most of which have also gotten far, far shorter than they once were).


I remember as a kid playing a lot with a couple of seniors who were threatening their age in their late 70's just as I was starting out-we were both hitting woods into every par 4 and they taught me the importance of a deft short game-something you developed when you could barely reach any greens learning from the men's tees-they same as they were at 65-70 years older than I was.


That and many 65-85 year olds are in better health and shape than a generation ago.


But it's still one heck of an accomplishment!!
« Last Edit: May 29, 2021, 06:54:17 PM by jeffwarne »
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Tim Leahy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #12 on: May 29, 2021, 06:11:29 PM »
Will be 76 next month and haven't come close, if it happens it will be from the red or "pink" tees. I play a couple of times a month with someone who shoots their age (85) more than half the time. He has an athletic swing, I don't. Played with an 'uncle' who was shooting his age when a centenarian.
You just need to get back to Santa Maria CC and stay away from the railroad tracks.  ;D [size=78%]Was that a -1, 71 you shot there during the KP?[/size]
I love golf, the fightin irish, and beautiful women depending on the season and availability.

David Amarnek

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #13 on: May 29, 2021, 06:59:39 PM »
We have a member at my club in St. Louis who turns 107 in July.  Always an excellent golfer, he has shot his age from his late sixties until just two years ago when he consistently broke 50 for nine holes.  He's finally given up playing, although he remains sharp as a tack and gets around impressively.
I believe that he was runner-up in our club championship in 1938!

Pete_Pittock

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #14 on: May 29, 2021, 09:22:34 PM »
Will be 76 next month and haven't come close, if it happens it will be from the red or "pink" tees. I play a couple of times a month with someone who shoots their age (85) more than half the time. He has an athletic swing, I don't. Played with an 'uncle' who was shooting his age when a centenarian.
You just need to get back to Santa Maria CC and stay away from the railroad tracks.  ;D [size=78%]Was that a -1, 71 you shot there during the KP?[/size]
Thanks or the memory. Unless I find the magic bullet the fun effective of long golf trips is no longer cost effective
I was also witness to Pinot Pete's fine round at Santa Maria CC on Sun afternoon; a smooth 76 capped off by a clutch par at 18 after the fabulous "boxcar boingo shot" on 17! A big thank you to Bob MacGee for hosting us there. For those who grew up putting off Poa Annua these surfaces made for a "Heaven on Earth" experience; possibly the best Poa surfaces I've putted on. Just a wonderful Club with 9 holes dating from 1921 and 9 newer holes; which all doglegged nicely in the rather compact parcel over the railroad tracks.[/size][/color]

archie_struthers

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #15 on: May 29, 2021, 10:46:27 PM »
 8)


Doesn't Gary Player do it every day ?




Better start training harder

Mike_Trenham

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #16 on: May 29, 2021, 11:36:06 PM »
8)


Doesn't Gary Player do it every day ?




Better start training harder


Last summer he told a friend of mine that he was at 1200+ consecutive.
Proud member of a Doak 3.

Michael Goldstein

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #17 on: May 30, 2021, 12:26:43 AM »
Sir Bob Charles is 85, plays all the time and would have been beating his age almost every round for 10-15 years. I don't know specifics around number of rounds under his age but it would be many many hundreds / thousands. 
@Pure_Golf

Mike_Trenham

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #18 on: May 30, 2021, 10:08:39 AM »
Last year Frank Beard at age 81 shot 69 on playing from 6500s on a par 70 course (71.0/130) in Palm Springs.  That’s the best I’ve heard.
Proud member of a Doak 3.

Mark Smolens

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #19 on: May 30, 2021, 11:23:22 AM »
 ???  I don't get it. I shoot my age every time I play 18 holes (tho I usually have to play the last 4 or 5 holes after I do). . .

Chris Cupit

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #20 on: May 30, 2021, 11:45:57 AM »
My uncle, Buster Cupit, is 94 and still owns and operates Longview Golf Club in east Texas.  It is very short (5900-6000 yards?) and many may not consider it a "real" course but this is till pretty amazing:


Buster first shot his age at 58 (-13) with 13 birdies and 5 pars.  He shot his age every year since that time until he quit playing several years ago.


He was incredibly talented and may have been better than his brother, Jacky but he had a handicapped son that prevented him from traveling too much. 


He could also play close to scratch golf left handed.  just crazy some of the things he and his brothers did.


I did not play a lot with him but we did play at The Honors Course in 1993 or 1994.  He was 66 or 67 and shot 76 from the then tips of 7000+ the first and only time he saw the course.

Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #21 on: May 30, 2021, 01:07:49 PM »
My uncle, Buster Cupit, is 94 and still owns and operates Longview Golf Club in east Texas.  It is very short (5900-6000 yards?) and many may not consider it a "real" course but this is till pretty amazing:


Buster first shot his age at 58 (-13) with 13 birdies and 5 pars.  He shot his age every year since that time until he quit playing several years ago.


He was incredibly talented and may have been better than his brother, Jacky but he had a handicapped son that prevented him from traveling too much. 


He could also play close to scratch golf left handed.  just crazy some of the things he and his brothers did.


I did not play a lot with him but we did play at The Honors Course in 1993 or 1994.  He was 66 or 67 and shot 76 from the then tips of 7000+ the first and only time he saw the course.


Chris, I met Jacky at the 64 Open at Congressional. A friend of mine knew him and introduced us. He was a very good player and it seems a good all around guy.
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Kalen Braley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #22 on: May 30, 2021, 02:32:19 PM »
I did it once a few years back.  Decided i'd skip the back 9 after shooting 45 on the front!  ;)

Jonathan Cummings

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Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #23 on: May 30, 2021, 05:54:18 PM »
There is a guy at my FL club who is 92 and ridiculously fit.  He shoots his age every time he plays estimating that he has done so 1000+ times. 


It led me to post a question (don't remember if it was here, Maxes, or elsewhere), who holds the record for the most age shoots?  The response is that there is an 80+ year old guy who played on the senior tour (don't remember but he was a no-name) who claims he has shot his age 1500 times.

John - you're right, that was the guy!


Probably Loyal “Bud” Chapman, long time member at Minneapolis Golf Club and somewhere in FL in winter. He was the artist that created the famous fantasy golf holes published in Golf Digest in the 60’ or 70’s. He kept count and last time I played with him it was 3,000+ times. He was scratch until probably age 75.


He passed away last year at age 97 and had a tee time for the day he died. I played with him on my 75th birthday at MGC. He was 94 and shot 79 that day from forward tees, but 79! That same year he had shot a 70 and a 71 on his course in FL.
I believe the first time he shot his age was at 65 or 66. About that time he briefly lead the U.S. Senior Open at Hazeltine.

Bryan Izatt

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Re: OT Maybe--Shooting Your Age
« Reply #24 on: May 30, 2021, 06:21:31 PM »



Apparently not so hard for elite players or really old people.  Not so much for the rest of us with low double digit indexes. 


A few years ago I adjusted my goal to shooting half my age for 9 holes - keeping a good round going for 18 holes was too big an ask for me.  Finally reached the goal a few weeks ago - shooting a 36 at age 75.  Sadly the front nine was a 41, so missed shooting my age by 2.  It's been a long time since I shot a 75, so I doubt I'll meet the threshold this year or the near future.  Maybe by age 79 if the skills don't deteriorate too much and I'm not on the wrong side of the turf.