How Do You Combat Advancing Years?

Hi Folks.
Recently i was watching a tournament from the champions tour and was amazed at the scoring prowess of some of our elder golfing statesmen.
But what really caught my eye was the youthful, athletic swing of tom watson. Tom is 57 years old now but his swing still looks as lythe and youthful as it did way back in the 70's .
I would like to know how advancing years have limited your swing and what alterations, if any, you have made to combat this.
I,m still only 41 and am still quite supple , so i am very lucky.

looking forward to reading your views

cheers Andy

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the dog wags the tail....the tail dosn't wag the dog

I shot my present age 33 years ago, LOL. Two things about getting older and playing golf. First one is to stay as flexible as you can, and play as often as you can while walking the courses you play.

All the PGA senior players are in great "golf" shape.

As for my age, and how it has effected my game, I would have to say loss of distance is the biggest issue. I play a course with a 600 yard par 5, I can't reach it in two anymore. Longer par 3s are now 3, or 5 woods. Other issues with old age would be health related. You become more of "thinker" on the golf course to compensate for the years. A 200 yard carry over water to a tight pin placement is now an adventure, instead of an ego trip.

I would recommend as you get older to pay more attention to your legs with regard to health, and strength. With out leg strength, the swing becomes much more difficult, since the years have also robbed you of upper body strength. Stay active, eat well, and exercise. GJS

"The Older You Get, The Better You Were"..........unknown

Hi GJS . wow.
This has to be without doubt one of the best and sincere replies to a thread that i have read since joining this forum.
bless you sir

take care of yourself now, exercise and eating habits, so you age more gracefully and hold off some of the effects.

Great thread,

I think I have aleady started preparing for my older years ahead at a similar age to Terry, I suspect he is feeling the twinges after two days golf just like me, I am convinced there is a pain put into your body at the age of 35 it just appears in a different place every morning.

Seriously I think working on a good solid short swing will take you through thoses older years, keeping you legs strong is also a must, a good walk everyday should help.

Most golfers all through their game and younger years never actually realise that golf is about hitting a ball that weighs about as much as a small bird with a stick over 3ft long, if your intention was to Kill the bird would you swing out of your shoes with the stick, I don't think so. This is the answer to the start of this thread, the older tour players still swing smoothly because there is no significant strength used in the golf swing, it's just a combination of a light grip, no muscle tensing or flexing and just a swift turning of the whole body through the ball.


Ian.

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Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

I get a lot of ribbing from my playing partners because i spend a good 20-30 mins stretching and warming up before a round.
But i always have the last laugh because i am in my groove from the first tee, where as it can take them 3 - 4 holes before they get into their swing.

Always take time to warm up and stretch ,pre-round, regardless of age

cheers Andy

Hi Andy,

Me too, I always get to the course 1 hour before my tee time.


As you know I love the phscological side of the game, and you have just given me the idea for a new thread.


I will add to this there.


Thanks

Ian.

andy, good thread. this is an area that I have studied some and stretching is definetly good. Are you aware that the most important time to stretch, to maintain flexibility, is after strenous activity?

One stretch to avoid is standing toe touches, that actually can harm the lower back, and to do bouncing standing toe touches

Cheers shootin
To anybody reading this thread, i cannot emphasise strongly enough that you stetch gently or you will run the risk of muscle damage .This applies to young and older.
i like to stretch in intervals throughout my warm-up routine.

Cheers Andy

As you get older you need a stiffer shaft, thank goodness for Viagra.


Seriously, don't forget about the technological advances in equipment. Senior shafts in the clubs have added distance to most that try them. Use the "distance" balls, like Pinnacle and Top Flite. As we age our best asset becomes our mind. Course management should be your top priority. Know where you want to hit lay up shots to. You don't always need to reach long par 4's in regulation. A good chipper and putter can stay up with the young, flat-bellys. Lastly, I think we should concentrate on enjoying the game. The older we get, the fewer rounds we have left.

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Imagine how boring golf would be if every shot resulted in a hole in one. Perfection is over rated.

Great thread folks. We need to practice healthy lifestyles from our youth - proper nutrition, regular exercise including strength training together with recreation.That combination keeps the body & mind sharp and active. The result - strong muscles and clear thinking minds as we enter our 40s. The swing does not require any major adjustment under those circumstances.

A note of caution, even in a healthy state, overextending yourself still results in injuries. My wife and doctor keep reminding me - "you are no longer a 25 year old competitive athlete."

And i keep reminding everybody else that you are only young once ........but you can be immature for ever

cheers pal. great reply

Seriously - that's my slogan from now on

hi all
watched Garry Player on the golf channel the other week, he was lifting weights and running very fast on a tread mill, boy is that guy fit and supple too and he is in his 70. i was amazed just how fit that guy is. he put it down to his diet and not eating anything man-made, no milk or meats other than fish. hope this helps ??? i also think Tom Watson looks good still and he has such a sweet swing still.
bill

This is a great thread...I am 60 years young and still take the club past parallel if need be. I have found that when I put on a few pounds, it shortens my swing and takes me longer to get ready..watch your diet and exercise...