[rony]

I now try to be on the Green in 3 on every hole and 2 Putt which is a 90. Throw in a few 1 Putts, Par or Birdie a couple of Par 3's, and I come out of it with a decent round in the Mid 80's. I removed the GIR pressure and found that I play much better. Ego makes me hate to admit it, but this is what I do now. Works for me. Anybody else try this?

[azgolfer2]

After rotator cuff surgery at age 67 I was off for while. When I came back it seemed to me that being on the course with sunshine, green grass and the company of friends was what made golf enjoyable. Score moved way down the list of important things to accomplish each round and while I remember the days when I was a 5, now 11 and moving up, at age 71 ego is satisfied when I get vertical each day head for the course. From time to time I look wistfully back but in the main am enjoying the game more and coming home happier. Relax, enjoy and let your wisdom replace you ego.

Best

[Sean2]

i do the same thing. it takes the big number out of the equation.

[AAL]

I definitely do that on par 5s, but still try for GIR on other holes. I have finally convinced my ego that by using one more club, I can swing easier and more relaxed while enjoying the results more. However, my short game, especially putting, is what is needed to keep the scores acceptable. Still got a lot of work to do there.

[teespoon]

Thanks for the sage advice!
A great strategy, .....and I even returned to my old flat swing, and assembled my trusty H&B Powerbilt Citation irons, with graphite. More relaxed with my game, as well.

teespoon

[photobob]

Good game plan. Playing to bogey takes removes a lot of stress, and actually does lead to better scores, as you described. I think the biggest blow to my ego is having to use one and sometimes two more clubs than I used to. But y'know, even though I have put the ego in the back pocket, it gets a lot more stroking now as I see more and more balls on the putting surface, rather than laying short of the greens.

I also don't fret over who on the course should be walking instead of riding, or who should be carrying their clubs instead of pushing a cart. I don't compete anymore, other than one charity scramble every year, and I never bet on the course, so I don't care who takes a mulligan, uses a "foot wedge", or even improves their lie. And I do my best to simply tune out other rant-inspiring people out there. Instead, I focus on the fun and challenge of my own game and enjoy to company of old friends and the cast of characters we sometimes get paired with on busy days.

I relish the fact that I am retired and can now play midday, mid-week. I enjoy mingling with the friendly deer that like to share their pastures with us. I look forward to seeing the hawk that stalks the #8 fairway looking for squirrel-snacks. But mostly I just bask in the time I spend on a pretty golf course, in good company, playing a game I love but know I'll never master. A chance to relax and still be challenged, what could be better?

I guess my point is, even though I've lost some of the power I used to have, by reducing the stress and pressure, increasing my patience, and using some of the wisdom the years have provided, I'm scoring as well as I ever have and having a LOT more fun. Even after my worst rounds, I still walk to my car with a smile on my face.

[aslan]

I am 45 and trying to use the same plan. I also have thoughts of 3rd shot on. There are
tons of course strategies out there. I am also thinking about playing the percentage shot,
use a 5 iron instead of a 3, when I am just trying to advance the ball. I know it will work and as others have proven here, stress goes down and fun goes up. Good thread, like the wisdom by the senior players here!

[honketyhank]

I am 63. I have two strategies that are related to what you outline:

1) when faced with a risky shot for par, go for the easy bogey. Takes the double bogey out of play most of the time and yields a happy par fairly often. More importantly, it allows me to walk off the green with a smile on my face after the bogey, which sets me up for a good shot on the next tee.

2) When putting for par (or even birdie), drill it. A miss long feels a LOT better than a miss short. Again, it sets you up for a better shot on the next tee whether you make it or miss it.

[aslan]

honketyhank, on Aug 7 2009, 09:44 PM, said:

I am 63. I have two strategies that are related to what you outline:

1) when faced with a risky shot for par, go for the easy bogey. Takes the double bogey out of play most of the time and yields a happy par fairly often. More importantly, it allows me to walk off the green with a smile on my face after the bogey, which sets me up for a good shot on the next tee.

2) When putting for par (or even birdie), drill it. A miss long feels a LOT better than a miss short. Again, it sets you up for a better shot on the next tee whether you make it or miss it.

Good point on drilling it, nothing feels worse then a birdie or par putt, that is short right. I think I can actually slice a putt. But, I am pretty sure it is just a decel.

[rony]

think the biggest blow to my ego is having to use one and sometimes two more clubs than I used to.



There you go....., me too. It bothered me at first, but when using 1 or 2 more clubs started to result in hitting the greens like I used to, I got over that real quick.

[smith5606]

Been AWOL for a while. Good to be back.

Great topic. I've been working on restructuring lately. I've gone to graphite shafts on my irons which has helped my hands if nothing else. I've added a new FW wood (a strong 3) that keeps me in the fairway without much loss in distance. I've forgotten about trying to hit every club as far as some of the flatbellies I play with. I've gone back to my old distances (you know, the ones that I used to use when I was a good iron player). Funny, I'm hitting more greens and am a great deal less frustrated. I've stopped trying to make my short game complicated by going back to my PW as my primary tool with my 9 iron and SW in reserve for very special situations. I' ve started working on my putting again.

Lo and behold, I've dropped a .5 off my index and I think I know how to cut at least another point off as well. I've started trying to play like an LPGA member instead of a PGA. I have also started to play a few rounds with people my own age instead of only playing with the kids. Golf is much more fun. Goodness, its great to find out that there is golf after 55.