Havn't played in the 14 or 15 years since I moved to Brisvegas.
Used to play Russellvale (near Wollongong) regularly on a Wednesday afternoon with the FIL and one of his mates. Start around 12:30 and finish 12 holes in time to pick the kids up from school. Wasn't ever really good at it and never played competition but enjoyed the light exercise out in the sunshine.
Still got the clubs in the shed and keep meaning to dig them out and have a hit but life keeps getting in the way.
Went to TopGolf for a work function a few years ago and found I was driving the ball better than when I was actually playing
That is what handicaps are for.
At our respective ages we will not improve.
I have resigned myself to the fact a low figure will never again appear on my scorecard handicap section.
Yesterday I played with the local vets for the first time.
They tee off in the frost, today is the same as yesterday high 11 low 3.
It was freezing, I couldn't hit the thing, I usually tee off at noon on Saturday's in the open comp.
I think I will restrict my vets mornings to maybe fortnightly until the weather gets warmer.
Won't say anything to them but pondered why they don't tee off at 10 or 11 in winter?
Surely 80 year old's don't have a full day of work and chores to do after golf?
Had to adjust my game and abbreviate my swing, then played a bit better.
The short game was OK but like you yesterday, the long game was the issue.
No feeling in the hands.
Had extreme trouble even trying to write my score on the card!!!
I think you are doing brilliantly at 85 to be still playing golf, my mum played tennis up to age 90
and I recently played over 60's cricket in one of the interstate tournaments.
Keep at it, keeps you "young".
Good luck with the golf, maybe the odd adjustment or two required to keep those winter scores down ha ha.
That is what handicaps are for. At our respective ages we will not improve.
Senior golf:
Arthur is 75 years old. He's played golf every day since his retirement 15 years ago. One day he arrives home looking downcast. That's it, he tells his wife. I'm giving up golf. My eyesight has become so bad that once I hit the ball I couldn't see where it went.
His wife sympathises and makes him a cup of tea. As they sit down she says, Why don't you take my brother with you and give it one more try.
That's no good, sighs Arthur, your brother is 90. He can't help.
He may be 90, says the wife, but his eyesight is perfect.
So the next day Arthur heads off to the golf course with his brother-in-law. He tees up, takes a mighty swing and squints down the fairway.
He turns to the brother-in-law and says, Did you see the ball?
Of course I did! Answers the brother-in-law. I have perfect eyesight.
Where did it go? Arthur asks. I don't remember.
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It is a course in the bush and is not crowded.
Only on Saturday's.
I intend to travel with my little van in the future and play in a few 4 day vets tournaments, hopefully in better weather at a later hour.
Think they play locally at that hour by choice, but if I am not keen to tee off in the fog and frost, I suppose there are others the same.
Will play a few games occasionally until the weather warms up.
Will be a good hour to tee off when the day temp is 40+ at the height of summer.
Once the vets of our generation(s) drop off I think there will be a void in playing numbers everywhere.
The current generations appear to want everything laid on for them and are more obsessed with small screens than outdoor activities?
It is a course in the bush and is not crowded. Only on Saturday's.
I intend to travel with my little van in the future and play in a few 4 day vets tournaments, hopefully in better weather at a later hour. Think they play locally at that hour by choice, but if I am not keen to tee off in the fog and frost, I suppose there are others the same. Will play a few games occasionally until the weather warms up. Will be a good hour to tee off when the day temp is 40+ at the height of summer.
Once the vets of our generation(s) drop off I think there will be a void in playing numbers everywhere. The current generations appear to want everything laid on for them and are more obsessed with small screens than outdoor activities?
Ron have you had the pleasure of playing in the MACKAY WINTER IN THE SUN vets competition? I think it is held around July / August each year.
I play regularly at Studley Park (Camden). Touching 70 with handicap of 15. Yes those bad days when you cant hit the ball no matter how hard you try are very frustrating.
I love the walk, chatting with friends, good golf, bad gold it doesnt matter. A bad day on the golf course is still better than a good day at work (I shudder just saying the word).
And at end of game some educated discussions about anything and everything, and more importantly a few cold beers.