When did you start to experience your game starting to leave you?

Ballgofarboy · July 4, 2016

Turning 58 soon and over the last 4 months I have lost a club in distance. There are some days when all of a sudden I am back but that goes away quickly. It is very hard to accept that you do not hit a driver that far any more. When I hit it good now it gets out there around 240 to 250 which until a year ago was pretty much an average drive for me.

You would not think that you would loose that much in a year. It is a hard pill to swallow when you see consistently your game not being what it use to be.

tannyhoban · July 4, 2016

I've had long periods of not playing, so essentially what I thought of as my game left a long time ago. I just deal with the new normal and play accordingly. I'm 56 and play three 18's a month. I've begun focus on short game and virtually nothing else because it's easy to do in short time spurts. So far so good.

SixtySomePing · July 4, 2016

I lost a club at about your age, and now I'm 65 and have not lost any more. I was disappointed at your age, but now I'm playing better than I have for years, and enjoying it more as well. I simply fought back, and it really paid off. Don't get yourself down, you can play golf all of your life... I have two older friends who play, one is 81, and one is 72, they are in excellent shape, and they can both still beat me on occasion. They play 2 clubs down from me, but both hit it straight as an arrow, and since they are retired, they play 4 times a week, I can't do that because of work. Hang in there.. :)

bk52 · July 4, 2016

Turning 58 soon and over the last 4 months I have lost a club in distance.

That seems like a lot at an early age. It took me a close to a decade to lose a club distance (64) but perhaps it was because I started with somewhat less. Take it as a wake up call to pay attention to some areas of personal health and your golf game that may have been a bit neglected.

Fellaheen51 · July 4, 2016

"Game starting to leave you" or "loss of distance"? Two fundamentally different things IMO. As I've gotten older, the loss of distance is a very real situation. Don't like it, but the current reality. So work on those things that I have control over. Starting with trying to be a better striker of the ball. Concentrating on tempo and rhythm, to hit the ball as well and consistently as possible. Then focus on those areas of play that do not require distance but accuracy. Namely, short game (125 yards and in), chipping, putting. Parts of the game that have a significant impact upon one's score.

Equipment wise, hit more fairway metals than prior. Out are the long irons. In are a 7 metal, hybrids, even a 9 metal depending on the course. Gone are the stiff shafts, regular being the new normal. Try to arm myself with tools that accommodate by slowed swing speed. Tweaks and modifications that allow me to advance the ball in the best fashion possible. Moving up a tee box has also become standard practice, targeting a length that I'm comfortable with and find enjoyment from. I'm not out there to impress anyone, simple to enjoy myself, have fun with the usual suspects, and play as well as possible.

And as a result, playing the best golf of my life. I know my limitations and play to my strengths. Practice sound course management. No longer trying to hit the high risk shot over a hazard from 180 yards out. Laying up and letting my improved wedge play get me onto the green and in the proper position. FWIW, age is 65.

2putttom · July 4, 2016

It is a hard pill to swallow; but I've adapted to the lose of distance with my short game and on the green skills. My ego takes a blow playing with twenty somethings and watching them blast 300 yard drives and 190 yard 6 irons but most of em' can't chip or putt to save their lives. My ego returns after the round and taking a twenty dollar bill from them.

Rubbish Golfer · July 4, 2016

Turning 58 soon and over the last 4 months I have lost a club in distance. There are some days when all of a sudden I am back but that goes away quickly. It is very hard to accept that you do not hit a driver that far any more. When I hit it good now it gets out there around 240 to 250 which until a year ago was pretty much an average drive for me.

You would not think that you would loose that much in a year. It is a hard pill to swallow when you see consistently your game not being what it use to be.

I am 58 years old, but only started 10 months ago. Fortunately for me my golf is getting better, and my drives longer. For the record, my driving distance sounds similar to yours. What you have to remember is that golf is a game, and like any other game, everyone gets worse with age. Try comparing yourself with people of your own age and experience, rather than kids.