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Getting older, terrified of losing the ability to play golf.

As far as arthritis for me, ( which is in my basal joint arthritis, right thumb and Radiocarpal joint arthritis ( right forearm) going to graphite has been a blessing. I went to mid sized grips years ago when I was in steel so went with midsize in my new irons. .
 
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Parrot said:
I don't know. Getting a new knee has made a huge difference in life and golf for me.
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Sincerely glad for you! 👊

I’m being a little b*tch. Trying to get things in a better direction then a little bite the ass. Nothing major, just ego and hate feeling broken.
 
Bosco... said:
hate feeling broken.
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Preaching to the choir. I've been fighting a neck issue since last June. It's frustrating when the docs tell you they don't know what's causing it.
 
Parrot said:
Preaching to the choir. I've been fighting a neck issue since last June. It's frustrating when the docs tell you they don't know what's causing it.
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Have you checked out the TPI assessment thread? All of us at the Vokey Experience got a lesson in how to try to get fixed.


Doc says “do as much as the pain will allow” so of course I took the rest of the day off and hit balls. Took a little break and the guy next to me says “boy it’s different now”.

I asked “you mean finally getting out?”

“Nope….new knee 9 weeks ago”

You couldn’t make this stuff up.
 
Bosco... said:
Have you checked out the TPI assessment thread? All of us at the Vokey Experience got a lesson in how to try to get fixed.
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I had an eval with a TPI certified physical therapist. The exercises have given minimal short-term relief. I've gotten a tad more mobility in my neck but the pain is still there if I turn my head past 2 o'clock. It feels like there is a physical impediment when I get there and try to turn past it.
 
Parrot said:
I had an eval with a TPI certified physical therapist. The exercises have given minimal short-term relief. I've gotten a tad more mobility in my neck but the pain is still there if I turn my head past 2 o'clock. It feels like there is a physical impediment when I get there and try to turn past it.
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Dang.

I’m doing everything I can. Following Anthony Kim trying for “1% a day”
 
finsfan21 said:
Getting old sucks. I don't think many disagree. However, as I have progressed into my 50's and as things have started to break down, I have found myself thinking about how much golf I have left and what I would do without it. Golf isn't just a game. It is camaraderie, my therapy, and quite frankly what I look forward to all week.
I try to keep it positive and make sure I enjoy every round but lately I have been developing arthritis in my hands and my golf mortality seems to always be on my mind.
Anybody else feel this sense of dread about the upcoming last round ( hopefully years from now 🤣)
Also, anybody dealing with rheumatoid arthritis in their hands and therapeutics?
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If you think your old now what are you going to do when you are 70 . You need to enjoy every day because tomorrow may be your last one.
 
drb1956 said:
You just have to figure out how to execute with what you have now! Leave your ego at home, and just play! Don't worry what folks think of your club selection! Just because your buddy is playing a 9, and your playing a 7, who cares! When I play, sometimes I'm playing 3 clubs different than they are! Who cares!! I will use whatever I need to get the ball to the target!
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So very very true!! At our age there isn’t muscling a club trying to keep up. That ship has long sailed. Nobody knows your game better than yourself. So use that brain. Case in point. Yesterday, wet sloggy conditions. Par 3, wind off the left, 185 pin. The younger guys, 47-58, hitting 4/5 irons from the blues. I’m one box up. 4W can’t get there. Just hit driver 196 previous hole. Tell my buddies a high cut off the left bunker could get there. GIR. Good for a laugh and a beer afterwards. For some, age does nothing to decrease competitiveness.
Sorry. Didn’t mean to Jack the thread.
 
A lot of people in my immediate family have died young. It was a big factor in motivating me to retire very early.

When I retired I wasn’t a very good golfer. My game has improved substantially because I play and practice a lot more now.

Getting older does not automatically result in poorer performance.

My tee shots go further now than they did before retirement and a few years ago I moved back to the blue tees.

But probably the biggest areas that I’ve improved in are chipping and putting. Neither of which requires much physical strength or speed.

I’m of the belief that if or when my long game deteriorates due to loss of strength or other physical ailments I can always move up a set of tees or two to help offset that.

Certainly there is more to Golf than just the physical performance or final score.

I have a friend who is absolutely uninterested in practicing or trying to improve. He likes to walk and for him golf is his exercise and outlet for camaraderie and socializing.

Golf to me is a sport that can span a lifetime.
 
I wouldn’t necessarily classify as old and I know this might seem simple, but stretching has been key for me. I used to just do some quick stretches at the course, but now I do a whole routine at home before leaving to play. It has made a big difference! This change started when I hurt my back playing on a cold day in Massachusetts. My husband has always stretched but I was never as disciplined as he was to do it. I wish I would have started sooner, but now it has become interwoven into the fabric of game.
 
bill816 said:
If you think your old now what are you going to do when you are 70 . You need to enjoy every day because tomorrow may be your last one.
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That is kind of the point of the thread. The end comes for all of us at different points in our lives. Although I may only be in my mid 50's, I may be closer to the end than someone in their 70's or even 90's. Judging by the state of my hands, there is a very real possibility that end comes for me this year.
Hence the trepidation over my golf mortality. If I was promised to be able to play into my 70's I would not feel the dread I do now.
Oh, well. Dr Appointment Friday will hopefully either ease or clarify my mind.
 
bill816 said:
If you think your old now what are you going to do when you are 70 . You need to enjoy every day because tomorrow may be your last one.
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This ^^^^^

The club i belong to has the saying "Enjoy yourselves, for it's later than you think" inscribed over the entry to the bar
It was submitted by Gene Tunney (Professional Boxer, back in the day) who probably knew a thing or two about living in the moment.

While the first to admit that i'm guilty of not following the advice very well.... the older i get, the more i see the wisdom in it..
 
I am 79 and still manage to play 3-5 times a week. I have arthritis in my fingers to the extent that I cannot fully close the middle fingers on my left hand (play right handed). Also have had three knee replacements, one hip replacement and last year had melanoma taken off my nose. Golf is also my therapy.

I switched to jumbo grips about two years ago and that really helped with holding on to the club. Stretching (10 minutes) before tee off also makes it easier on my back & shoulder muscles.

The one thing I can still do to maintain a decent games is to practice shots from 50 yards in. If you improve your short games you can still shoot decent scores.
 
golfboyblues said:
I am 79 and still manage to play 3-5 times a week. I have arthritis in my fingers to the extent that I cannot fully close the middle fingers on my left hand (play right handed). Also have had three knee replacements, one hip replacement and last year had melanoma taken off my nose. Golf is also my therapy.

I switched to jumbo grips about two years ago and that really helped with holding on to the club. Stretching (10 minutes) before tee off also makes it easier on my back & shoulder muscles.

The one thing I can still do to maintain a decent games is to practice shots from 50 yards in. If you improve your short games you can still shoot decent scores.
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Definitely stretching!
 
Golfgirlguru said:
Definitely stretching!
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I'm with you! I am 60 now and going to be starting a program that involves lots of stretching and some light to moderate resistance training. I really believe that the greatest benefit, as we age, is gained by remaining flexible. I've seen too many family members become sedentary, lose flexibility in their later years, and that just brings on issues that snowball into other problems. I want to at least be able to be active a good portion of my retirement, whenever that happens, so might as well set the stage for that sooner than later.
 
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Yes and no. I play regularly with those in their 50's, 60's, and 70's, and half are still walking the course. It gives me hope that even if speed, strength and skill falter, the game is always there to have me. Happy to have a current course with 5 tee boxes.
 
Had the Epidurals yesterday, 3 for me. Gotta love that drug they put you out with. I think it's the same thing Michael Jackson lost to. Anyhow, had the S2, L4/5, L:3/4 shot up yesterday. Pretty black and blue for now but they said to give it 3/4 days. Feels pretty good already but we won't push it. I can always go back for another "hit". So I'm being optimistic that this will make things much better. I've got to get into the single digits this year. Never Give Up!!!!!
 
finsfan21 said:
That is kind of the point of the thread. The end comes for all of us at different points in our lives. Although I may only be in my mid 50's, I may be closer to the end than someone in their 70's or even 90's. Judging by the state of my hands, there is a very real possibility that end comes for me this year.
Hence the trepidation over my golf mortality. If I was promised to be able to play into my 70's I would not feel the dread I do now.
Oh, well. Dr Appointment Friday will hopefully either ease or clarify my mind.
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Look, if you keep thinking that way, you ARE going to let it control your life!! As long as you can hold a golf club, get out there! You get up in the morning to face the day, do it like you own it!! If you keep thinking and talking old, you WILL be old!! I will be 70 this year, and I have arthritis beating up my body, but I keep moving. I don't take anything for the pain. I want my body, and my mind to get used to the idea " this is the way its going to be"!! So far so good. Oh, sure, some days are worse than others, where my hands hurt like the dickens, but, I fill a sink with the hottest water I can stand, and put my hands in there. I can feel the relief! With some muscle aches, or joint pain, I use some Ben-Gay ointment..I am looking forward to getting to the range, then my first round of the year, once the goofy weather here in the Midwest makes up it's mind when spring is really here! Hopefully your Doctor will have some good news for you, and be careful taking those scripts! I don't want that stuff if I can help it..So, stop thinking your old! I wish I was in my 50's! My wife has to tell me when I do certain projects around the house that I'm not 25 anymore! Hey, my brain doesn't know the difference!! I want to keep it that way...
 
Hearing about increasing size of grips quite a bit. Might go down this path.
For those that have done this for arthritis reasons, is it easier to grip and play or is it that you have less pain after? Or both.
 
drb1956 said:
Look, if you keep thinking that way, you ARE going to let it control your life!! As long as you can hold a golf club, get out there! You get up in the morning to face the day, do it like you own it!! If you keep thinking and talking old, you WILL be old!! I will be 70 this year, and I have arthritis beating up my body, but I keep moving. I don't take anything for the pain. I want my body, and my mind to get used to the idea " this is the way its going to be"!! So far so good. Oh, sure, some days are worse than others, where my hands hurt like the dickens, but, I fill a sink with the hottest water I can stand, and put my hands in there. I can feel the relief! With some muscle aches, or joint pain, I use some Ben-Gay ointment..I am looking forward to getting to the range, then my first round of the year, once the goofy weather here in the Midwest makes up it's mind when spring is really here! Hopefully your Doctor will have some good news for you, and be careful taking those scripts! I don't want that stuff if I can help it..So, stop thinking your old! I wish I was in my 50's! My wife has to tell me when I do certain projects around the house that I'm not 25 anymore! Hey, my brain doesn't know the difference!! I want to keep it that way...
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Not really the point. I know what to feel grateful for and good for you that you can do all this in your 70's.
For me, I am going through some things that could lead to me not being able to play golf and that scares me because I really love golf.
It is new for me and hearing how some of my peers on here are dealing with,or have dealt with, it is helpful.
 
finsfan21 said:
Hearing about increasing size of grips quite a bit. Might go down this path.
For those that have done this for arthritis reasons, is it easier to grip and play or is it that you have less pain after? Or both.
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Careful. I went full blown Jumbomax mediums to stop the arthritis flare up. It worked, but brought on tennis elbow. Now im back to regular jumbo size grips and still are good. I’m testing mid size REVL Comfort grips next. i think soft comfort, or wrap style grips make the most difference, and don't need to go super big.
 
finsfan21 said:
Hearing about increasing size of grips quite a bit. Might go down this path.
For those that have done this for arthritis reasons, is it easier to grip and play or is it that you have less pain after? Or both.
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Ok. I have Lamkin Crossline midsize on my driver, 3-w, and hybrid. My irons and wedges have Lamkin Crossline oversize. No extra tape, just one layer. I got so bad with my hands before doing this, I could not play 9 holes without pain in my hands, and forearms!! Not a problem now! Yes, it is easier to grip, and no pain while playing, or after.. And sorry for the tirade, as I really don't know your situation. Its just that I hear a lot of younger folks than I, complain about their health when they get to 50, or so. And then they start to get all soft on themselves, and stop doing things they can still do! Try not to stop doing that! I hope that your doctor gives you good news this week...
 
I will be 79 this summer. I've been playing golf since I was a kid in grade school, and, being on the smaller side, I was barely decent to not very good at other sports where size matters, but I became relatively good at golf. So I take great pride in my game and refuse to let age get in the way. The only concessions I have made due to age are because I am more affected by the cold; I do not play when the "feels like" gets below 40°, and I also rarely go to the range. My "practice" is limited to a little chipping and putting before a round, seldom even hitting one full shot before we tee off.

I can still get the driver out there a little over 200 yards (Shot Scope says my P-AVG for the year so far is in the 220s), but I notice the loss of distance the most with the irons, which is a constant source of frustration. I have to remind myself that irons are surgical tools, and only the driver and maybe the 3W are clubs where it matters how long you hit them. With irons, you just move up a club, and as long as I can continue to convince myself of that and enjoy the challenge, the exercise, and the camaraderie, then I will probably still be playing the day before my funeral.
 
Phil75070 said:
I will be 79 this summer. I've been playing golf since I was a kid in grade school, and, being on the smaller side, I was barely decent to not very good at other sports where size matters, but I became relatively good at golf. So I take great pride in my game and refuse to let age get in the way. The only concessions I have made due to age are because I am more affected by the cold; I do not play when the "feels like" gets below 40°, and I also rarely go to the range. My "practice" is limited to a little chipping and putting before a round, seldom even hitting one full shot before we tee off.

I can still get the driver out there a little over 200 yards (Shot Scope says my P-AVG for the year so far is in the 220s), but I notice the loss of distance the most with the irons, which is a constant source of frustration. I have to remind myself that irons are surgical tools, and only the driver and maybe the 3W are clubs where it matters how long you hit them. With irons, you just move up a club, and as long as I can continue to convince myself of that and enjoy the challenge, the exercise, and the camaraderie, then I will probably still be playing the day before my funeral.
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Phil just keep enjoying getting out there. Cold gets us all, but where I live high humidity sucks the life out of me. And I agree, when you notice your distance is shorter with the irons, move up a club or for me I went to hybrids and a little longer shaft gives me my distance back, plus height.
 
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