“Too Old For Golf?”

Seeing Phil Mickelson win a major tournament at 50, reconfirmed one very big reason my golfing partner and I took up the game of golf. We knew we would need to have some sort of sport or hobby we would enjoy together once we retired.  Since we often saw older players on the course we figured golf just seemed to fit that requirement – and when we would see older golfers the same question always comes up – “How old are they?”

Which eventually led me to ask this question – “Can I become Too Old for Golf?”

I have always believed Golf is a game for both young and old – because obviously, the ball doesn’t know how old you are – right? 

However, before I even attempt to answer the question of getting too old for golf, I guess I have to think about a few other questions, with the most fundamental question being….what is “old?”

I am confident very few people would disagree with the adage that old is a state of mind….or that age is just a number.  Because, in 2007 in Chico, California, Elsie McLean aced the 100-yard fourth hole at Bidwell Park.

By the way, Elsie was 107 – as in years old!

Ok – Ok, I am not 100…..but, I do know age has impacted my play.   As I am moving along in my age, my swing has slowed down and my distance off the tee has shortened.  And if I was going to be totally honest, after a round my body aches and stiffness settles in just a tad more than it used too!  

Another age related thing I have learned is older bodies are not intended to work in certain weather.  When I was younger, my golfing partner used to say he could play in two out of these three conditions: cold, wind, and rain. However, if all three occur, forget it.  Of course I have had to modify this as I age.  Cold trumps everything – if it is cold, I do not play, period.  I still can enjoy a round if it is windy, but when it is cold, my body refuses to move enough to enjoy playing.

A pleasing positive to my “maturing” is my mature nerves are an improvement over the old ones.  One very nice little positive thing that has happened to me is that controlling nervousness when playing is less of an issue.  Playing and especially competing can be nerve racking, but I seem to have a better perspective on this than I once did. 

Clearly my expectations are different and maybe that has something to do with it.  

My love of the game of golf has grown with my age.  I no longer rush through a round.  I am more relaxed now as I swing the club.  I have slowed down and really embraced the time while playing.  I look at the entire course layout and soak in the beauty each course offers.  I welcome the slow play of others, as it gives me a chance to breath in the outdoors and soak up the sunshine. 

I know as I continue to play golf, I must come to grips with the fact that inevitably

my skills will diminish.  

I guess this means I have decided Golf is a sport that I can play until I can no longer enjoy it.  I’ve played with people well into their 90’s and they were still enjoying their time on the course.  

What about “old age” off the course?  What is too old?  

Is there even such a thing as “Too Old?” 

I always hear people say – “You’re only as old as you feel!”  But, depending on whom you ask, the definition of what old is can differ depending on the opinion and the age of the person you ask.  And when I Google what is considered “old”, it just seems irrelevant when I receive a subjective answer.

I will admit that the one thing that does make me feel old is when my favorite songs are playing on the classic rock station.  Suddenly the music that defined my youth and experiences is no longer relevant to modern culture!  

If a 95-year-old Finnish woman can be one of the oldest persons to bungee jump, or an 80 year old can be the oldest person to reach the summit of Mount Everest even after four open-heart surgeries and suffering a shattered pelvis, (or a 50 year old can win a PGA championship) what really defines if you are too old to do something?

These days it seems age has become just a number, and it’s more about how you are feeling physically and mentally which determines whether you are old.

Right now, at 61 I don’t feel old.  In fact, I feel grateful for all the things that have happened in my life so far and all the things that will happen in my life. 

My Reads from the Reds – Golf is a game for life and it doesn’t matter how long that life has been lived – just play! 

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written by Kathy Festa