Greg:

With due respect, I disagree.

I started golf at 28. I never thought I would get better than an average weekend hacker. But then I started surprising myself. To a legit 12 handicap within a year and then a 7 handicap within 2 years.

I used to play with a couple of +3 handicap players who were patient and taught be the rules and the game the right way. Before I could hit my long irons I learnt to get the ball in the hole. Before I could hit my driver I learnt to hit my 3 wood in the fairway about 250.

A brief history first to give you some perspective.

It helped that I had played tennis for my school competitively. I was pretty good. I gave tennis up 3 times to focus on my high school first then my undergrad and then my PhD, and finally for good (that means I am a recreational player now). At every stage I thought I was too old.

Not only that but I grew up in India, where the emphasis is squarely on academics.

Ok, back to Golf.

I started hitting the ball pretty good to go along with my scoring. A friend and I were sitting/drinking in a pub and I confessed that my dream in life was really to play professionally (any sport) and how empty I felt even though I had acheived a lot financially and professionally. I started talking about golf and wanting to get atleast "amateur competitive" in golf. He, not unlike you (no disrespect meant), was less than flattering and said something like " There are only about 25,000 scratch golfers in the US, may even be less if you only take competitive rounds into consideration. You will never make it." He put down $25,000 for me to break par in a USGA or PGA sanctioned event in the following 3 years. I accepted the bet. I won. I shot 70 (on a par 72 course) in a US Pub links qualifier last year. I missed qualifying by one stroke over two rounds. The results are online.

I am now a +3 handicap. I just turned 35.

I am lucky that I have the wherewithal (financial) and the flexible schedule to practice every day. I intend to play in some mini tours this year in NC. Fortunately, I dont have to make it in golf to live a good life.

I practice regularly with some guys who are trying to make it on the developmental tours. I beat them regularly as do they. I am much older than they are. They dont necessarily hit it farther but I am much more mature and patient than they are (FACT). I end up taking their money more times than I have to cough up dough.

Last year I made a commitment to physical fitness and decided to be fitter than most 20 year olds out there. If I can get there then age is just in my head and I can tell you "that I am very strong mentally". I always walk at my country club and carry my bag. (I no longer qualify for the publinks as I joined a club last year). We play a hilly course here in NC. I exercise every morning and practice for 5 hours a day, rain or shine, freezing or hot. I get to my work at 5 am, exercise (I have a gym at work, I own a sports mdeicine/therapy practice), get to work at 7 am. Work till 11 am. Then go and practice golf till 5 pm. Get back and work for a couple more hours and then back home to read to my daughter and spend two hours with her. I get up at 4:30 am every morning. I am excited about golf and excited about life in general.

I dont know how far I will go, but one thing is sure, I am not placing any limits on what I can achieve, nor should anyone else. I repent thinking that I was too old for tennis at 18 when Boris Becker won Wimbledon at 17. Now I look back and just cringe. I dont want to do the same when I am 50.

If you are ever in the Charlotte NC area, drop me a note, we should go out and play.

I enjoy reading your posts and acknowledge that you are one of the better golfing minds here.

Regards,

Adi
adi@karepartners.com