Why Seniors Quit Golf
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Some people think seniors quit because they are getting old and the old legs wont carry them anymore.
Nope. They quit because they are forced to play 6400 yards with a handicap in the 30's and 40's and that is not enjoyable. Go overseas and you can play 4800 yards par 72 and enjoy your golf. Why can't we do that here?
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Until I played a team competition away from home course a few weeks ago I was seriously giving up on golf. When I arrived at the tee with my 83 year old opponent, he suggested we play from the forward tees. That took off 900 yards from the course that was full of dogleg holes. All of a sudden I was playing hybrids and irons from the tee and reaching or very near the greens in regulation. So instead of my usual +25 over par I went round in +13 (like the best handicap I had 17 years ago).
A friend at my home course already has on his federation card a recommendation to use the forward tees. From now on I'll be playing the forward tees with a reasonable chance of reaching many greens (not all) in regulation. I'm 78 years old and play in SW France. I agree wholeheartedly with your position and all the courses in this region now offer exactly what you described - a reasonable chance for super seniors to continue playing a rewarding round of golf.
That is it in a nutshell. You have the opportunity to play a course that suits your length. You have the opportunity to make pars, make a birdie and have a number in the 80's instead of never breaking 100. That is fun and probably good for your soul. Wonderful!
In Asia we have Black Tees, professional, Blue Tees, regular golfer, White Tees, Senior golfer or beginner, Red Tees, Ladies and Yellow Tees, Junior.
@@michaelblack2334 Are the various tees assessed for overlapping classifications? For example, my home course in SW France has a slope rating for every tee so that anyone can play from any tee and have their course handicap for that round adjusted accordingly. Regilar stroke play competitions are played from the yellow tees for which my handicap for the round would be 22. But I can also play a declared round from our blue tees, for which my handicap for the round would be 16 and register this round for handicap purposes.
It's not perfect, but it eliminates a lot of extremely unjust situations when players had a single handicap figure and were always obliged to play from the single tee placements for that handicap level.
@@michaelblack2334 I'll take the yellows and see if I can drop my handicap a bit. I'll be landing in Asia in 80 days, last trip before retirment.
@@ianburton9223 We have course rating and Slope rating for every Tee except the junior yellow Tee.
They're not "ladies" tees. They are "forward tees" and perfect for us seniors
Hello Tim, most of the courses near me did not get assessed for men. In fact in some cases the Ladies didn't want men on them. They are still called the Ladies tees. If I can't submit a card from them and there is no mens competition from them how can I play them except for fun? And even then I would be laughed at.
@@thehairygolfer Perhaps your club needs to be pulled into the 21st century. We can play from the forward tees, and the handicap system allows different handicaps dependent on which tee you use. The thing which knackers me is walking the 7 miles or so round the course. I get round that by taking a shooting stick with me to sit on while my playing partners play their shots. I'm 72 with a heart attack a few months ago. I'm definitely not giving up golf!
@@user-do2rv4db9k It's obvious from the comments that we do need dragging into the 21st. Much of England and Wales for sure! I think 90% have not changed since the WHS came in. Sad really. The very best of luck with your health and return to fitness. Do you use an electric trolley? I gave up carrying 24 years ago. My shoulder told me to. cheers
The scorecards say Ladies Tees.
@@keithpanco I checked. 78% of English golf courses the reds are female only.
As an 80 year old golfer, I would say it's a pity that the English golf union doesn't do more to encourage clubs to follow this excellent thinking from this man
Golf should be enjoyed by all
Eric, you are spot on. Who wants a 40 handicap? People want shorter tees.
Hear, hear!
Greetings from Tucson, AZ, Simon, and welcome to my (golfing) world. I'm 76 years old now. My average tee shots are @ 182 yds. i rarely get more than two greens in regulation per side. When I turned 70, I just quit the Mens' Club at Fred Enke G.C. because i could no longer compete from the white tees that everyone had to use in competition. I stopped carrying a handicap about the same time. I play from the forward tees now, and usually can shoot in the mid to high 80s. (My wife and I will often go out and play nine, and in a couple's scramble, we can often shoot in the high 30s for the nine.) I guess what I'm saying is that you reach an age where you play a game different than the one you played in your youth. You don't chase a handicap. You're not trying to beat other golfers. You're probably playing courses you've played hundreds of rounds on over dozens of years--old friends. You work on a short game to make up for your lack of GIRs. You know that, as bad as it's gotten, it's only going to get worse, so you savor every round, even the bad ones. I miss competing, and I try not to be that old guy who is constantly telling his younger companions how far he used to hit it. But I still look forward to my rounds, even if they're more often 9 than 18 holes.
Hello Sean, hope you are well. We have very active seniors where I live. Lots of competitions, twice a week. But talking to them they certainly express that they would like a shorter course to get more enjoyment out of the game. Playing forward as you do gives you the opportunity to keep breaking 100. I want that same opportunity but wont get it on these shores. Keep enjoying it and keep breaking 90. Simon
I’m 65 and I play with 3 other men 82-83. We all play from the “forward” tees and have a blast. We don’t worry about where we play. It’s our money and we will play where the game is still fun.
There has to be some acceptance that your physical decline may be worse than others of a same age, the handicap system should reflect that as your scores go out as it an average of your best 8 in the last 20.
I’m 64 coming back to the game and still hit it a reasonable distance, in a club comp recently that on the morning they changed to off the blues ( our back tees) which meant it became a 7000 yard course. There was one hole par 5 into the wind and I stood there knowing I could not make the fairway (24 handicap) so I do know the feeling of thinking I’m stuffed when stood in the tee.
I play regularly with 3 guys two are 82, one is 73. The two 82 yr olds are different one struggles more physically I have said to him play of the reds, you will be on the fairways getting more roll, the other can still hit a decent ball and is ok off the yellows. The 73 yr old hits it 220-240 off the tee so is not struggling yet.
Looking at our course off the red tee’s par is one shot more, SSS is 3 more than yellows, and the rating and slope are both higher as well. I see no reason why we could not offer 70+ the option of playing off the reds, or saying any senior 18 H’cap or higher can go off them.
I agree that more courses should have a handicap guide for the tees or general play ie men 28+ of the reds, ultimately in comps the aim is a common starting point. Eg yellows or whites.
Ultimately par is just a number, use the hole index and adjust accordingly so par can be 6 or 7 play with that as your target and enjoy the walk.
@@guyr7351 Thanks for the details. I like the idea of moving forward so you can still (more or less) shoot the same scores. As opposed to getting ever bigger handicaps and never breaking 100. Thankyou for your thoughts.
@@thehairygolfer I do know what you mean trying to get our regular partner who is struggling with arthritis to move forward. Think he sees it as some sort of submission, I just think it would help him enjoy it a bit more, now if we could get him to avoid bunkers we’d be onto a winner 😀
The single biggest factor on why seniors are quitting is cost of membership. The average UK pensioner simply can't afford it.
Same here in the States. Green’s fees are just too expensive when you’re on a fixed income.
Wow! Yes. I have noticed a lot of clubs drop the senior pricing and now everyone pays the same. Not even 5 day is cheap anymore. Cheers
@@kbrown4ou Cost of greenkeeping materials have shot up the last 4 years. Golf is getting expensive again even at ordinary everyday courses.
@@thewatchman6074 I’m in the north east UK, many local courses still have staged membership fees from youths, students, young adults, full and then reduced for seniors. One course near me £570 yr for seniors but there is a 2 year waiting list minimum to get in.
We then have two 9 hole courses nearby membership £270-350 yr which is bargain golf
I live in Indiana golf has always been quite affordable around here but many courses we used to play are now too expensive ,I'm afraid thenextt 5 years will be the end of it for me. Even from the senior tees some courses are too long and way to difficult not to mention too expensive it seems like they have forgot about the senior golfer.
One of the best golf videos I've seen ! I'm sick of playing long courses against my younger brother is 59 & I'm 72
Hello Mike, if par is impossible it is no longer fun. Driver on par 3's is just a chore. I'm not there yet but I'm not far off. I would take a shot off him for every year of difference. Seems fair!
Completely agree. I play in western New England n New York.
63 y/o n moved up from white to yellows n sometimes the reds.
Shot 43 over 9 recently n had a good time.
Larry, that makes a difference. You enjoy the game better and want to come back tomorrow. America is so far ahead of us in terms of having the choice to do as you please.
I'll tell you a story. I flew over in 2003 to stay with a friend on Long Island for a week. He was going to take me to Bethpage. It was April and it snowed all week! Ate a lot of good steak and did sightseeing instead. Got to laugh!
I found this a very interesting argument. I'm 82 and living in Germany. I'm still playing from the yellow tees. Next week, I want to try to play from the blue tees in my golfclub! Thanks for the encouragement!
Hello Jan, what I like is not having to hit driver every hole and the par 3's are not a dot in the distance. I will be going o nmy last trip to Thailand this winter and I will be playing forward and enjoying it. Not playing back and being miserable. Cheers
OMP, OMP!!
Golfmates, OMP, y'all know him. Short and stright, AND consi.
And a great putter.
If my eyes hold up, I hope to be playing when I'm eighty, like the two out of three I play with now.
I will be seventy this Dec., living in NE Ohio, and hope to be swinging a club in ten years somewhat like I am now.
Billy, I wish you well in your goals. At least in the states many courses have forward tees to help you. We just get 3 over here. Keep swinging until you drop.
@@billbyrnes9505 same here, play with 73 yr old and two 82 yr olds 3x a week, 9 holes. Occasionally myself and the 73 yr old will do 18 to stop the 18 on Sundays comp seeing such a hike. The aim is to keep moving keep swinging as long as I can
Thanks for the eye opening video. At may club where the green keeper plays off scratch, us old duffers over 70 are derided. so I cannot see any time soon that your suggestions would be accepted. However, please make representations to the golfing authorities, your suggestions are just what we seniors need.
Hello John, so I'll bet he doesn't mow the fairway back far enough and the Ladies can't reach? I've seen a bit of that in my time. Played a lot of mixed golf and the Ladies get forgotton about too. I sometimes get the feeling golf courses are set up for the 3 people in the club who drive it 300 yards. Someone in the comments below is chasing but it will probably fall on deaf ears. As usual. Thanks for the comment.
G’Day Simon
Move to Australia as my course we have 5 tee’s
Blue medal day
White regular comp day’s
Yellow guest’s
Red Ladies tee
Purple for players who struggle with above tees
Both men women can play competition from any of the tees mentioned and have there handicap revised accordingly
Robert 👍🏻🇦🇺
Rob, that is ideal. Being able to play the right tees and being handicapped from those tees. Keep enjoying the game instead of yet another round where breaking 100 is impossible.
Agreed. Most high-end publicly-accessible courses in Canada have at least four sets of tees, often five.
This is good, because most players will choose the longer tees when an ones with an appropriate yardage are not available.
I have often seen hybrid tees as well which blend two partial sets of tees where players will play some holes from one set of longer tees and the other holes from the shorter tees.
@@kyle381000 Hello Kyle, I wish we had that option here.
I put together a simulator golf practice area in my garage. I am in my 70's and can't walk the big course anymore. The cost to play a round of golf with my younger buddies is nearly $50.00. On the golf simulator l use yardage around 5500-6000 yards. The game is more fun now and you can play a lot of golf in a short time.
What a wonderful thing to do. I wish I had space and the height for a sim, I wouldn't have to play in the winter! Green fees are getting quite high now, golf is getting expensive.
My home course have employed several ways to get rid of elderly golfers. Bunkers in front of greens, gutters across fairways and ponds 150 yds from tees. The latest innovation is starting the fairways 150 yds from the tees!
Gordon, I've been hearing that from the Ladies for 35 years. I've played a lot of mixed golf and you do see the other side of the coin. We did manage to get the greenkeepers to mow back towards the tee a few more yards. Then you get a new greenkeeper and you have to start the process all over.
Too many clubs think that they have to make things tougher for the elite golfers to be regarded as a “good” course
@@alexpatrick8869 Hi Alex, I've been a member of 2 courses now that fiddled the tees about to turn a short par 5 into a brute of a long par 4. Why? Because 3 or 4 plus handicap golfers can get birdies and eagles. Why do it for less than 1% of the membership? Beats me.
EXCELLENT , COMMON SENSE VIDEO.
WHEN I TAUGHT IN PRIMARY THE FOOTBALL PITCHES & GOALPOSTS WERE REDUCED TO SUIT YOUNG CHILDREN.
I AM 81 YEARS OLD & WANT TO ENJOY PLAYING GOLF FROM TEES SUITABLE FOR GOLFERS WHO NO LONGER HIT THE BALL LONG DISTANCES.
I WANT TO ENJOY GOLF FROM TEES THAT GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY WELL.
IT IS DISHEARTENING TO KNOW BEFORE YOU STRIKE YOUR FIRST DRIVE THAT YOU HAVE NO CHANCE TO SCORE WELL.
We do the same here. No point playing full sized goals if you need 3 keepers to cover the space. I remember playing reduced goals and reduced pitches at school. Not that I was any good. Golf is the only sport I can play. I feel the same way about courses and being able to score. Who wants 2 shots a hole and making 7's? Give me a short hole when I catch you up. Thanks for the comment.
I'm 58 y/o and quite enjoy playing from the "senior" tees with the actual senior members (over 60) at my home course. I can shoot around par from these tees. If I move back a set of tees I can still shoot in the mid 70's. Which is ok. But last weekend I played from the back tees and i struggled. It's just too long. I for one can't wait to turn 60 and play from those tees all the time. It's FUN!
Tim, that's it in a nutshell. Making pars and a birdie is fun. Who gives a damn if it's from 4900 yards par 72? My next holiday I'm hoping to play some back tees and try to break 90 from them. As a one off experience that can be fun but who would want to be forced to play long tees every time you play? It would make me quit.
The thing is with British golf courses they make the course harder. I think they think we’re all professional golfers and we got the equipment to do the job. My clubs are probably 20 years old. Interesting video. Perhaps I might suggest where I play golf they should add some blue tees.
They do get harder. Some clubs are obsessed with getting a higher slope rating. I have no idea why. Cheers
So much good common sense.😎
Thankyou William and thanks for watching.
I fully understand your point of view. I'm fortunate enough to play golf in Sweden. Most golf courses have left the mens and women's tee behind them and now all tees are based of course length and I can choose the one that is the best fit. I can now play from a tee where I with good shots can reach most holes on par. You are absolutely right , this is more enjoyable.
I've just edited a video playing the reds. Quite simply we don't have enough staff here to get round all the courses in a timely manner. We are behind everyone else at the moment. Should get better over the next 2 years. Cheers
Great video as always my friend. Good to see you still posting.
That was a little practice session and a bit of fun. Those are less pressure than a normal round under camera conditions. Still annoying to carry round the camera! I'm considering a lightweight tripod even though they break pretty quickly. I've had 2 weeks off from the camera and will probably have a little more.
A terrific video and I feel through time a lot of your comments will come to fruition,it can be very frustrating for me now playing my home course all because of losing distance,nobody wants to be playing off a 40 handicap just to remain competitive,keep up the great work
Harry, thankyou for that. That is perfect, guys don't want to take 5 or 6 shots to reach a par 5. Ladies too for that matter. People want to have a chance to make pars. It's that simple.
I have been teaching my daughter and one thing we did was to not care about tees, more about holes so I let he play whatever tee box she’s comfortable at. Some holes front, some middle white, other next one back then move up again in order to allow her to use the full bag of clubs. She now plays 6000 yards, drives it about 220 occasionally 240+. I think you should play based on your distances, not your handicap. I can play 7200 yards without issue since I’m a long baller but I play front to back for the same reasons to become a better overall player. Then when I’m out with the boys, we usually play 6500 yards.
We had a wonderful young Lady at the club. She was hitting it 260 at age 16. Wonderful to watch play. Very tall which helps. Lost contact now as she went off to play with the County and England team for her age group. She would step back a set of tees and it never bothered her score.
I probably could play 7200 at my best but I'm far from that. Not sure I could break 80 from them. 82 would be good.
@@thehairygolfer doesn’t matter the score, more important to me would be to see you have some good friends to play with and enjoy the great shots while laughing off the bad ones. Game is a social sport and I think you need that to satisfy the full experience. And 82 from anywhere is a good score. Identify your weaknesses and fix them.
@@Seektruth-59 My friends and I split and went to other courses. Because I film I don't get many chances to play with other people. I will when I retire and it will be all change again. I play with my sons when we get the chance. I have a plan in place for 5 lessons and plenty of practice to fix my problems. It needs to be done, I can't keep leaning on my short game for a score. Thanks
First time I have seen your video and it's been fun. I'm almost 76 and play of 21 nowadays. Our course is 6300 white, 6100 yellow and 5678 red. Our little group play of the yellow and I very rarely get on in regulation. Occasionally I play on my own and so use the reds and it's far enjoyable. On October the first everyone plays on the blue course for the winter and then I am really looking forward to it. As a single figure golfer who's skill set is much better than mine length is a bigger issue than it is for me. But as I now don't play any competition golf, I have come to peace with my lot and enjoy and will continue to play till the end. In the last 4 years I have lost my two dearest friends and I am much better of than them
Hello Dave and thanks for dropping by. The reds will be more enjoyable. Still make a decent score rather than trying to break 100 off the back.
Sorry to hear of your friends, it's very sad to find your 4 ball is now a 2 ball and you miss them terribly. I do know that feeling. Well keep going and keep getting the fresh air and being in nature. Cheers
Great video, my club allows players 75 and older to play from the forward tees, a new ruling just implemented last year. It has thoroughly improved the attitude of us older fellows and even gives us some chance in the club events. We do play men’s par. I suggest all clubs do the same.
That's great Bill. It's what keeps people playing and ultimately not dying from bordom. I don't want to quit in 15 years but I also don't want a 36 handicap. Good club. I wish all clubs would get modernised, they might not be struggling for money if they could keep the older players. Cheers
Great video, thanks for your input❤
@@anthonygittens1479 Thankyou. Much appreciated.
You're right on. I moved up last year at 80, and it has become fun again. I did so well that I wasn't allowed to play in the games with the men's group , so I just played with them . But this year, several more seniors are moving up because of the scores I was getting . Maybe this year, I'll be allowed to join in the games .
Hello John, wonderful! Still going at 80. Why not move up, get more enjoyment out of the game, have your own super senior division and play against your peers. Brilliant.
The “slope” of the individual golf course includes a slope for each tee. Your handicap will be adjusted for each colour. The easy tee will drop your handicap, the hard tee raises your handicap. This assumes you got your handicap from the competition tee.
My advice, get your handicap from the “men’s” tee, then play from the “ladies” tee.
If your club doesn’t allow it, then your handicap will cover the short fall… I would just hit the ball better.
I’m 65 and I still drive the ball 300m plus. But you gotta get the swing right.
Good grief that's a good tee shot. I've never done that even as a young man. Very impressive. Most of what I said was opinions of other people collected over years. I'm not bothered about playing forward just yet, maybe in years to come. Cheers
300m drives is better than all professionals......
@@chrismorris294 I was thinking that. Could of made a fortune on tour.
@@chrismorris294 🤣🤣🤣 in 2005 I was driving the ball 360m and I was about 4th longest at Queanbeyan Golf Club at the time. The only reason I’m only at 300m now is I’m not a member because it’s closed right now.
In 1977 I was driving it 280m…
Check your distance stations 🚉…
Yes, yes, yes, you are exactly correct. We have the same problem with golfers and golf courses in the states. We need more tee boxes, shorter options and less stigmatizing about distance.
I don't quite understand the ego about distance and not going forward. Water is still wet, bunkers still have sand and the hole doesn't get any bigger playing 800 yards shorter. It's like the guys who say it's fun to hit driver as hard as they can but lose 4 balls a round. I guess we are all different. Cheers
Very interesting video Simon, I’m 75 and playing off 12 at the moment. I hit my driver about 190. I’ve been saying for years that we need to adopt the same approach as other countries. Forward tees for super seniors, both men and ladies makes sense it makes the game more enjoyable and also helps to speed up play which in these days of five hour rounds can only be a good thing.
75 and 12 handicap is wonderful Ernest. I hope I can emulate you in years to come. I see no problem with super seniors of both sexes playing a set of tees that gives them enjoyment. Plus it will save time not hitting 5 or 6 shots to reach a par 5. We really need to adopt it over here.
mornin Simon , this brilliant video may have saved me some money ! Was looking at local clubs , Cookridge hall , Headingley not to name Sandmoor and Moortown but they are all over 6000 yards with no 'senior' consideration ! So i have found a local course 5000 yards with only 1 hole 400+ and no par 3 over 175 .... and its not council run public course . Think you have hit the nail on the head , most of us play to have fun !
I looked at my own county. 78% of reds not assessed for men. That's a big number. EGU say they simply don't have the staff to get round our 1888 courses in a year. Now there are some names I recognise. My parents were both Yorkshire. I was meant to go play Dewsbury this year but time ran out. Maybe next year.
I know some people don't care about the score but I find the score makes up a fair amount of the fun. You want green in reg and that birdie putt. Doesn't matter if it doesn't go in but we want the chance. Cheers
I am 65, and I have been playing actively for forty years. My best friend is also 65, but he has only started to take the game semi-seriously in the last three years.
Just this morning, I made the observation to him that the most important area on a golf hole is from 100 yards out to the centre of the green. Almost anyone of any age can hit a ball 100 yards or less, which means that power (and youth and strength and flexibility) are not nearly as important to the short game compared to the long game. Having a decent short game can compensate for a serious lack of distance, and it can allow a good putter to make a lot of one-putt pars.
I have tried to tell my friend to lose his obsession with getting on a green 'in regulation' and taking risks with longer shots to do so because they tend to bring greenside bunkers into play. On everything except short par-4 holes I advise him to put the ball in play off the tee, lay the ball up short of any greenside hazards, and then chip the ball safely to allow for nothing more than a 2-putt bogey which often becomes a par. No risk, and no heroics. Of course, my friend has not always taken my advice, but he will learn soon enough.
I agree. You don't need to be 6 foot tall and as strong as an ox to have a short game. You make your score or save your score. I played wednesday and my score was due to the wedge and the putter. But where do people practice? Driving range beating balls like a machine gun.
The biggest saving is not losing balls. Just as you say. 200 in play beats 260 out of bounds. I learnt that the first time I played proper resort courses with 90 bunkers and water everywhere. I was hopeless. Thanks for a great comment.
I'm 72. Started playing golf in my late forties. I have never been a long hitter. I have never had a handicap. Play about once a week. I generally try to play par fours as a par five, and par fives as sixes. And if I can play bogey golf, or there abouts, I am happy. Being good inside 100 yards is essential to playing bogey golf. Try to eliminate three putts. Become a good chipper. Most of all, have fun. Its a game. Don't take it too seriously.
Recently, my ball striking has been unsatisfactory, so I've been working on using a shorter back swing, trying to be less tense in my arms, and gripping down on the shaft a bit. All have helped me make better contact and get better results.
Hello Gary, Bogey golf is good golf. Especially once a week golf, that is a score to be proud of. Plus yo uare right about the wedge being the equaliser to make those scores. Down the shaft does give us more control and a better result. Glad you're enjoying the game.
That sounds like my life even though I stated at 30 and am 61.
@@thehairygolfer To be clear, I don't usually play bogey golf. I aspire to do that. My point is that giving yourself an extra shot on par 4s and 5s lessens the pressure on you and helps you relax more. We have to know our limitations. Giving myself an extra shot helps me live within my limitations.
@@garybryson1900 I agree with that. Adding a stroke to par and changing the way your mind thinks about a hole. That in itself gives more enjoyment. If you don't have to reach that 450 yard par 4 in 2 you will change the way you play the hole and will do better than busting a gut trying.
Totally agree, it should be on physical ability as well. We all slow down the older we get. Golf should be fun not a slog.
You're right John. I'm slowing down uphill! It's a shame golf carts here are so expensive even at member rates. People I speak to want a shorter course and not a high handicap.
I found on the internet where the length of the course for an individual is based on how far you hit your 5 iron. I'm 74 and was able to calculate at my course that I should play the "forward" tees. But that was a little too short for me, so I move back one set of tees on the par 3s and the total distance is perfect for the length of a course for me. It makes it fair an enjoyable!
Hello Dave, I've seen those charts and they are useful. I should play 6000 yards but in the summer when the ground is firm I can happily play 6500 yards and play to 5 or 6. That's my traget, I still want to be stretched a little bit. But on the other hand I like to play a course where 3 wood is plenty off the tee too. I guess it depends what I feel like on the day. Valid point. Cheers
@@thehairygolfer Also, I'd like to point out that in playing the forward tees, I tee off with a 17 degree hybrid, not a driver!
@@dave8059 Nice. That would be my 18 degree 5 wood. Different flight but more or less the same. I enjoy that too. You get a par 4 of 330 yards and how far do you really need to hit a tee shot to make 4? Takes all the pressure off if you leave driver alone. Love it.
Thanks Simon, enjoyed that.
The stark reality of most of our games.
Tee sites should reflect ability 😁😁👍👍👍
I can't see why we can't have some forward tees with the same par like they do at resort courses. We can get more enjoyment whatever our age or ability.
I realised this when I started playing SIM golf where you can choose from multiple tee options. Unfortunately, golf is run by people with an entrenched mentality, reluctant to change anything. Every golf course should have multiple tee options, that are properly distanced apart.
It would certainly seem many courses are far more enlightened than the ones I visit. The comments have been fantastic. I've played a bit of SIM in the teaching studio. I normally try to pick out a par 3 and use it for practice. It's good fun, dry and warm. Jusy what you need in winter. Cheers
Great video Simon as a shortish hitter with less carry (slow swing speed) at 60 years old, when i hit 70 if i am still playing it is going to be very challenging from the yellows, especially if you take the proposed stupid golf ball roll back into consideration
Bernard, how will they police it? Got to be millions of balls in circulation, search the bushes and start hoarding. I will buy 100 lake balls when the time comes or even 500 and split them with my sons.
Exactly why I don’t keep score anymore! I go out and play to have fun! Who gives a $hit what the score is. I’m having more fun 9:35 than ever. Just play quickly and don’t keep score. That’s my game.
There is that too. I appreciate not everyone keeps a scorecard. Being outside, enjoying nature, enjoying the walk and who cares if the putt is for a 6 or 7? I get that completely. Thanks for the comment.
You are so right, as a 78 year old hitting my driver 175 yards I want tees where I can reach all greens in regulation unless I really screw up a chit for instance.
It's not much to ask is it to have some tees that give you enjoyment. If I'm still around at 78 I hope I'm still playing like yourself. Cheers
my home course has black, blue, white, green & red tees! The greens are for those 70 years old or greater! The par remains the same for all tees! So I could commiserate (being 75), but I usually tee from the white tees. I occasionally break 90 - usually due to bad shots and even worse course management 😉
Good to have a great choice. We just get the three sadly.
This is true. I'm living it at 61. I've lost a lot in just 5 short years. I hadn't been playing as much in recent years, but found a friend who likes to play, and I've quickly learned how difficult the game has become for me, and it's quite depressing. The course is long from the white tees (men's regular in America), and I used to play the blue tees (championship in America). There's water in strategic places in front of the greens. Most of the par 4's I have to play as par 5's. It's basically changed my standard game to bogey golf. I've considered quitting. It's not fun if it's not possible.
It was comments like this from people I know that inspired the video. It does change your game and your enjoyment. As many said, they don't want a high handicap they want to still make pars. Not possible over here with only 3 tees to choose from. Keep going as best you can. I think I'm too stubborn to quit when I get older.
Yes, my body hurts, and that keeps me from playing. But when I do play, I enjoy playing some sort of team round like best ball. It's more fun and I can rely on others to hit it further, and then my short game compensates. Much more fun that way.
Team games like scrambles can be a lot of fun and take the pressure off. You don't have to have a perfect round to enjoy it. I'm with you there. Get a few shots in, a few putts, contribute to the score a bit and you've had a good day with mates. I love a scramble although I always get the card to do the score! LOL
The handicap system deals with some of this. I have been to clubs with a variety of tees available, and I think this is the way forward. At some courses, it is obvious low handicappers on the committee have too much say in course design / "improvement". I use my five wood/ seven wood / hybrid far too often these days. I have a female friend and sometimes play off her tees, par and stroke indexes. It is, indoubtedly, more enjoyable and less of a struggle. I am able to use my irons more, etc.
Your's is a good point, well made.
I've played with older guys all my life and the one thing they do not want is a bigger handicap. They want to still have the chance of a regulation par.
I have served on committee and you do sometimes get a dictator but not too often. Not sure about design influence but yes they do sometimes try to make their course harder to the detriment to everyone else. Shame.
I play in a men's league, with a 61, 68 and 78 year olds and I am 65. I was a 2 handicap in me teens. They will not play the front tees but I think it would be so much more fun. They give use the option to use the front tees.
2? great golf. The lowest I got was 5 and that required almost constant practice. Golf has to be fun. I can play 6500 okay but 6000 means I get to hit 3 woods and 5 woods and make a better score than blasting driver 14 times a round. Make some pars, have a few birdie putts maybe 1 or 2 will drop. Beats walking off the course like you have been fighting Tyson. Thanks for the comment.
you raise very good questions! Good video!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
Good point well made Simon. That looked like my round of golf. I still enjoyed being out in the fresh air, and usually played against my own previous score, but I would have been happier being in reach of a decent score. Keep swinging. Ron
Life is much better when you enjoy what you are doing. Cheers Ron
A brilliant video I am 76 and struggling to get over some hazards I then loose a shot trying to get out.
I'm finding the same thing now Peter. I can still get it out there a reasonable distance but now I have to worry about things I never had to before. 17 years and I will have your problems. No. I'm not very tall so it will come sooner. Cheers
Your putting there reminds me of mine when I go to a different course after being conditioned to our slow greens.
It certainly makes sense to have a set of tees further forward.
Your video does show why the old boys have a dangerous short game, you always want one or two in your scramble team.
Gary, I played the star centre and the greens were slower than putting on the fairway! Screwed me up for 2 rounds. The other great thing is they don't hit it far enough to lose it. Plus they know every chip in the book with every club in the bag.
@@thehairygolfer Just played Minchinhampton Cherrington course with B team. The grass was so long there, with the semi so narrow, I lost so many balls, there was so little room for error. Have you ever played there?
@@streamleazefishhouse I love Cherrington. Played back tees many times. You do need to be straight and it helps if you know the course well. Strangely when I was a member there I played the other course most of the time. My last round at Cherrington was an A team game. My partner and I won on 16 at level par against a 5 handicap and a +4. We wiped their clocks for them and the +4 was mad that we managed level par against them. So funny as he lost his shit all the way back to the clubhouse.
In the US they are no longer called ladies tees but referred as FORWARD tees. BUT there is still a stigma attached to those who play from there👍
I played a course this week, red tees were Ladies only. I would not be able to submit a card from there and the ear bashing for using them wouldn't be worth me stepping on them. Some places have changed but not all. The WHS has not been implemented correctly. Thanks for the comment.
At our club in Western Australia, members over 70 can elect to play off the red or yellow tees and their handicap is adjusted accordingly. Those members are part of the day’s comp even though most members are playing off the white or blue tees. The course has been properly rated for men and women off all tees so handicaps are correct. Our goal is to make sure all members continue to enjoy both competition and non competition golf for as long as possible. Our oldest comp member has just turned 91 (although he does play off the whites!)j.
David, wouldn't it be wonderful if that attitude was held at all clubs? I love it. I don't need toi play forward just yet but it will be my future. I hope things can change over before then. Cheers
Great point made. Another benefit to having forward tees would be speed of play. The times we have all spent watching an elderly four ball take forever to finish a hole in front of us because they just don’t hit the ball very far! It would probably make golf enjoyable for everybody! Brilliant Simon, cheers👍🍺🏌️
Got to agree with that Jeff. I can only imagine what it must be like taking 5 or 6 shots to reach a par 5. I would not enjoy that, plus the time it takes. It's a long walk when you have to stop every 140 or 150 yards. Plus over here golf carts are expensive even at members rate. I love I can go to Thailand and play with a couple of Japanese guys in their 80's, I play my tees and they play theirs and we both have a reasonable handicap rather than something in the 30's
Where would you suggest we older women play from?
@@Mo-qe3yv same tees you always play from, obviously!
@@Mo-qe3yv I think I got that on your other comment Mo. We need to make clubs change.
Hi Simon, I’m a fan of the Big Oggie channel so a friend to your channel too👍🏻🏌🏻♂️⛳️. Great video on a very interesting subject👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻
John is brilliant and his mates down in Cornwall. We try to get together but we are simply too far apart and then time passes and it's autumn again.
Its similar to paying high daily fees to exclusive courses that have hosted opens and now its £200+ to play . My golf at 77, would not warrant throwing this kind of money away for playing a course that i probably would not enjoy because its too difficult for most 70+ seniors , so I appreciate your valid argument and hope someone takes this up with the English Golf Union.
I wouldn't spend that kind of money either David. It's silly money. I try and seek out affordable golf courses. Apparently the EGU is short of staff and it's simply taking time. Some courses are still old fashioned but the rest are in the queue. They might of caught up by the time I need to move forward, you never know! Cheers
My club in Southern Africa has White, Blue and Red tees. Each set of tees is effectively treated as a separate course, all with a par of 72. All the courses are rated for use by men, whilst the blue and red courses are also rated for women and juniors. In most competitions we can choose which course we wish to play and consequently what our handicap will be for the day. For example, I play off 24 on the White course, 22 on the Blue course and 16 on the Red course. We also enter all our rounds, including social, in the system. This ensures our handicaps match our current standard of play, plus it gives an incentive to play well each time we go out (apart from not wanting to pick up the bar tab!). I am 77 years old and have every intention of playing for a few more years. For us golf is about getting out, having some exercise and a good time with our mates instead of sitting at home getting old. I think the UK clubs need to adopt the same system as applied in many other parts of the world. It works pretty well.
Great comment. I think we seem to be stuck in the past. I can't play reds or Ladies as they aren't assessed for men. I would say 9 out of 10 clubs they aren't assessed for men.
I can't see me quitting either for all the reasons you state. I am not going to die in a chair in front of the tv. When I retire I will probably play more if I can afford the fuel on my pension. Thanks
I've not heard the red tees referred to as ladies tees for a long time. They are either red tees or forward tees. Or sometimes ladies/seniors tees even. When I'm too short to play off the whites and yellows I'll happily move forward to the red whatever they are called.
I'd agree with this if you'd made it before the handicap system change to the slope system.
The new system though allows you to play off any tee and your handicap adjusts per tee.
Your inability to continue to hit the ball further as you get older is relfected in your handicap going up, if no other part of your game improves to compensate. Handicaps are there to keep all abilities competitive against each other.
Sadly here most clubs did not get the Ladies tees assessed for men. Quite simply they saved money and kept the sexes apart. (the assessment had to be paid for) You cannot move forward except for social golf. There is no option for men to play a competition from the red tees or submit cards from the red tees. it just didn't fall into place as intended. Shame really.
I sent an email to England golf highlighting this issue which included a link to the video and i did actually get a reply
"Hi Bernie Price,
Thank you for contacting us.
We are encouraging all our golf clubs to have their shorter tee sets (usually the Red) rated for both Men and Women to help those golfers like yourself to continue to enjoy your golf.
The process of getting all these shorter tee gender free will take time as the county rating teams re-visit and re-rate courses but please be assured England Golf fully supports this process.
Kind regards,
Carol
That is wonderful. I looked into it and in my county it's only 22%. Looking at other counties around it's about the same figure. I guess clubs just opted to keep us seperate. Glad they are looking into it. I just visited a course today that I'm on the waiting list for and the reds are still Ladies only.
At my course in France, at the age of 80, I can play off blue tees. It makes a huge difference, very enjoyable
It really does Dennis. I find the same with the older guys I meet in Thailand. They love playing shorter and still making a few pars. Thanks.
In Vancouver 🇨🇦, we have pitch and putt courses owned by the city. Short courses with holes ranging from 50 to 125 yards. You only need 3 or 4 clubs , cost $14 , 2 hours to play. Best thing is that I can shoot around par. I won't be going back to full size courses, too expensive, too long to play.
Hello, we don't have that here. We do have 3 9 hole beginner courses but they are in very porr condition. I played one 2 days before this video and the greens hadn't seen a mower in over a week. Hence my wonderful putting! It was so funny on the day and I could not adjust.
It would be good to have facilities like that, if teh greens are a decent size and well prepared I would be more than happy to play them.
@thehairygolfer We are very lucky to have the Pitch and Putt courses. The green keepers take pride in their work, and the maintenance is very good. If in Vancouver area look up Central Park pitch and putt and Kensington pitch and putt. Both are a good challenge of your short game. Fore 🙃
@@MrJdebest It's great they have the budget to keep a 9 holer in good shape. I would use it in a heartbeat. Our local ones sadly are pretty poor. I'm not sure I will ever get to Canada, I'm nearly retired and I'm going to be poor. The company pension has been watered down over the years. Not quite as good as when promised 40 years ago. Cheers
Great video!! I remember when I first started I played in the summer with two older retired gentlemen they always joked and said when i start hitting it longer than them I can no longer come along. But we didn’t have much options for tees other on our public courses. They picked up golf later in life and even one of them came with me to practice or even drove since I didn’t have a car. I think he enjoyed it I am not sure if he had grandchildren but I spent quite a bit of time with him. Eventually I got out of school and had to work wasn‘t able to play golf as much then i joined the Army I lost contact with him but I won‘t forget those summer early morning golf rounds!!🏌️⛳️😀
I learnt a lot from seniors. Playing with my Dad and his mates. Best chipper I saw was over 70 years old. I used to watch him like a hawk. Never asked him any questions - just watched what he was doing.
My regular playing partners are in their 70's and 80's and they all have strokes on every hole, sometimes 2. They beat me almost every time because their short game and putting is honed by years of practice, that is what you have to look forward to.
Steve, boy you are right. I feel it now with the short game. The days of thrashing 2 shots to a par 5 of 510 are long gone for me. I just don't want to take 5 good shots to get there.
I regularly play with a chap in his 70's who hits it 180 off the tee and still plays off a single figure handicap.
He's incredibly accurate and has a fantastic short game!
There are some very talented seniors. Straight as a die and can chip and putt the eyes out of the cup. I hope I can do the same in 10 years.
Watching your video opened my eyes and ears to your comments, I am 76 and realise that I do not strike a ball the Distances I used to do making the game more difficult,tees set up for us oldies would make the game more enjoyable with handicap system to suit.
I don't either Peter and i'm not 60 until next year. Golf is becoming harder. I can't see why courses over here can't have some 5000 yard tees instead of us having huge handicaps? I still want to make pars as I get older. Thanks for the comment.
A very interesting video. I've never played overseas, but I'm going to play golf in Mauritius in a month's time and we apparently get the option of six different tee positions. I suspect I'm going to enjoy my golf there. We have a long course at 6,600 yards, and I struggle to break 100, if I tried to use the red tees I would be ridiculed. I totally agree with you, and I've sent a link to your video to our Seniors Captain. Thanks
Hello Shrimper, enjoy your holiday. Play a set of tees that suits you, nobody will care. As you say, here you would get your ear bent for months if you play forward. You will play courses with a lot of bunkers and quite likely water. You want that to be the challenge and not the length. Play a set of tees that allows you to hit less than driver on some holes. Save the driver for just the widest of holes. Keep out of the sun and drink plenty. Have a great time.
Great to see this video having so much success. UA-cam algorithm 🔓unlocked
James the Pro at The Herefordshire couldn't believe it.
@@thehairygolfer it could be the keyword ‘ senior golfer ‘ it’s worth making another and adding that word in the opening sentence and adding it into the title and description and see how that does.
@@CarlBroadbent That's what we will try.
There are a number tee placements on the course, pick the one that suites you. If you are new or old and do not have the swing speed, use the forward tees. He is making the game harder then it needs to be,. Put your pride aside and hit from the reds.
What if the reds are not assessed for men? What do you do then? I can't play the whites outside of a competition as they are reserved for competition only. This is golf in most of England I'm afraid. Thanks
I live in Mississippi and my club has championship tees, regular, senior and super senior tees. Makes it fun for all. I just turned 70 and I enjoy golf as much as ever from the sr tees.
That is brilliant. That is how you retain your members. Just give them a chance to make some pars from the right distance. Who wants a 36 or 46 handicap?
couldn't agree more, as a 75 year old golfer i tend to play 9 holes on a regular basis, i don't bother with my handicap, and if i walk off with a couple of pars Happy days, it would be great if the golf gods (R&A) were to look into something that allows seniors to participate in competitions!
Hello Tony, where i live the senior section is usually the biggest section of the club. They run 2 competitions and roll up every week. Yellow tees. They play more golf than a working man for sure. The older ones just need some help with the tee selection.
Follow-up: The golf course I play at created 8 new tee boxes over the winter and put them in play this Spring. They are hard as a rock. I am told that it takes about a year for the new greens to settle in. When playing from the new tee boxes, I don't use a tee. You can't get them in the turf. The new tee boxes do shorten the length on the holes where created. They do allow for lower scores if your game doesn't suffer any hiccups along the way. What also is considered is the cost to create the tee boxes. It isn't cheap and there is also the matter of getting the right people involved in the process. I am 100% in line with Simon's thinking. The obstacle is going to be cost and having the golf course recalibrated for slope rating, another piece to the rest of it. In the meantime, good course management often will have to do.
Tees are not cheap if you build them right. If the tee is rock hard they probably didn't build them on sand and just used some soil and stripped some turf from a part of the course. But it's better than nothing I suppose. It does show they are trying.
74 yo and starting playing 11 years ago . Here in the States we generally have 5 tee boxes. I play the senior tees . Most courses are in the 5200 yard range for me . I can’t imagine playing 6600 yards. I love the game and play at least twice a week . I break 90 almost every time which is a lot more fun than not breaking 100.
That is perfect Gary. I've since found out that England Golf is behind on assessing courses - not enough staff. Hopefully in the future all clubs will be done properly. I'd love your choices as I get older. Cheers
That brought it home to me.l don't enjoy golf now as l don't hit it far now.lm 68 and due to age and cancer medication l hit it 170 with a driver .ln my hey day I was an average 5 and have driven 5 par 4's on my course.Most of my buddies l used to out drive,lm now 20-30 yards behind as they have kept their health pretty well.l no longer play in tournaments off 16 because as you say,it's not enjoyable 😞
Hello Iain, this is what I fear. I know I will get shorter (I am now) and the handicap will rise. I don't mind that so much but when you get that illness you can't really come back. When it's gone it's not coming back past 60. All we want to do is move forward to compensate for that loss of distance. I'll bet if you could play 4800 par 72 you could enjoy it again. I certainly don't want 2 shots a hole!
I love golf, but thinking about hanging up the clubs. It’s very expensive, always busy around the courses where I live, and just not enjoyable for me anymore.
It is expensive now, I'm not sure how I will do when I retire. May have to seek out a cheaper club but if it's further away then it costs fuel. Can't win.
We moved to the senior tees a few years ago, it possible to get on a par 4 easier but still a challenge. Seniors quit golf because of health and when their buddies die and its not as fun anymore.
Hi Chuck, I agree with the last bit. Health and loss of friends is a big factor. Senior tees at least give you hope, opportunity and enjoyment. It cannot be fun hitting driver on par 3's and not reaching.
Another great vlog, personally find a lot of the seniors with higher handicaps , can’t wait to tell you they had 2 shots on the hole.
There is that too!
Well put sir, my own golf club has a green tee-off box which in-between the red and yellow tees with the white tees further back. I'm not sure if other clubs do this but your handicap is rated on the tees that have been used. Like yourself I m also rated as a senior (73 yrs) and these extra tees puts me on a closer score to those who use the yellow tees.
That's wonderful Lee. When I finally retire I will be able to play with the seniors who play most of their comps from the yellows. But of course they are assessed for a scratch golfer and not someone who doesn't hit it beyond 200 yards.
I'll turn 74 in a month, from age 70 to now I have lost at least 30 yards off my drive. Unless the course is playing fast my drive is now 190 yards, and there are some par 4 holes that I just can't reach unless I hit a great 3 wood into the green. What you are saying is absolutely correct, most of us just can't reach the green in regulation any more.
Robert, thanks for sharing. I have lost 30 yards from age 40 to 59. I need ground help and wind help on my drives now. I can still get it out there when the swing is good but I'm feeling it already at 59.
In my experience many of us septugenarians have a pretty good short game to compensate for the loss of distance as we get older. Also as most of us have handicaps in the higher teens we have pretty much a shot every hole so play to our handicaps, a Par 3 is a 4, Par 4 a 5 etc. Mentally that gives a positive with a bogey being seen as a net par rather than a dropped shot.
All depends on the golfer. Over the last 36 years I've had so many conversations and so many have said they want a shorter tee. I guess we are all different.
Excellent and thought provoking for golf clubs to consider. Another consideration to your video is course set up.
Hello Stuart, I really do wish clubs would consider older members in the UK. We just get those 3 tees and that's it. Course set up like cutting the fairways back so older Men and Ladies can actually reach them into the wind would help.
I work on a 17 hole, par 3 course 53-190 and everything in-between. We have quite a few older players who've given up their memberships at full size courses.
The full sized courses need to do something to retain players. Or they just die for lack of funds. Cheers
Use a tee that suits you ability to keep play moving, you will feel better if you make a few pars now & then of course you like to par them al, but then remember that birdie you made from nowhere & you'll be back on the course again, hitting more than 1 good shot in row helps also, short game & be a good putter
Hello John, not always possible here. I did some research and the vast majority of courses are yet to have all tees assessed for everybody. The EGU are on the case though with more courses next year due to be assessed. About time we embraced the WHS correctly.
I'm happy to play upto 6500 yards but I think those days are numbered. Cheers
Your comments match my play. I play the tee that my arms are up to playing and on really long hole if there is no short tee I will tee off down the fairway. I stared playing after a 53 year break with a broken body. My good drives are 155 yards and long irons are 120 yards. I do not play long courses if I can help it. I also do not maintain a handicap or play matches.
53 year break and came back. Wow! Good to hear you get out and play from wherever you want. I think that's a good idea, just walk forward and tee up at the distance for yourself. Keep enjoying it.
It is not just age. I am in my 50s, but can't swing over 75ish without hurting myself. I do play the senior tees, but still hit only 2 greens in reg on average..would not be fun to play from the back tees, so I moved up. May play red tees soon, but I don't play competitions, so I can do whatever I want!
It would not be fun from the back tees Bradley. I don't see the point of getting beaten up everytime you play. I wish we had some forward tees over here, still hit greens and still hole a putt that isn't for yet anotgher double bogey. I can do what I want on holiday but over here I would be laughed at for playing the reds.
Stumbled by this very well presented debate and wish to interject.
I understand exactly where you’re coming from but I’m sixty eight and my club head speed is dropping everyday but I still want to be on an even playing ground with those younger than me so what I’m working on is accuracy and short game prowess. My theory and pure logic tells me that from a 140yds out I possess the physical capacity to be as good as my juniors. So I can’t drive as far or hit longs that well anymore but there’s no physical reason why on earth I can’t pitch, chip and putt as well as anyone. Just practice and practice I guess. And the beauty of it is, that now I’m retired, I’ve plenty of time for that.
Hello Paul and thanks for the comment. I agree totally about the short game. You can equalise the playing field a bit by being sharp. I have come across many a senior who can get up and down out of their back pocket. I learnt a lot from a guy more than twice my age years ago. It was my greatest pleasure to be paired with him. He once beat his age at a 4800 yard par 67 while he was 75. I hope to emulate if I can.
Im 77 and I moaned about this to our club captain.. He said that is what your handicap is all about and I should be happy with 26 or more HCP.. No I am not happy and dont play any competitions any more from the white or yellow tees. On the verge of giving up ......
There gets a point where it's just too long and yet another double bogey without hitting a poor shot just finishes you. That's what happened to my Dad's friend. He had had enough of not reaching. Hope you keep going.
FL has multiple teeing grounds but some golfers are still reluctant to move to a tee making par 4's reachable in 2 shots. I'm in my 70's. I shoot in the 90's and occasionally 80's from senior tees (5000-5800 yards). I have all but given up on the handicap systems as unrealistic. Just play with family and friends for fun. Soon my grandkids and I will play the same tee ground.
That is great having the option to play from wherever you want. We have 3 tees and that's it. Some clubs will not let you play full length unless it's a competition and then you have to. You can't play the Ladies at most courses so you get stuck with 1 tee for almost all your golf. My hope is I can still play to a reasonable standard in 11 years and not lose my interest in golf. Thanks for the comments.
I’m in my 70’s and my group hit from the whites. There are only 2 holes that I can get GIR. I just adjust par for my length so the 72 par becomes a 83 par for me.
Hello Mike, you can always change the par of a hole in your head as you do. It makes for a more relaxed round if you know 3 shots on is your par for the hole. I try and teach my sons that way to think of a higher par. Try to encourage them to use a club off the tee that gets in play rather than the bushes. Cheers
Everyone has an angle from which they can complain. For example, have you considered that the older/retired golfer can (and often does), play golf every day? Whereas the member who works can only usually play at evenings/weekends. Not to mention if they have children their free time is even more limited. This situation is even more apparent in the winter when it gets dark before 4pm and it literally becomes only weekend golf for the working member. Older members all use trolleys which are tough on the course, especially if they get used most days of the week. With regards to your specific point, more tee options mean larger/longer courses. This is rarely possible in countries with high populations, as space is at a premium. It might be easier to just accept that your handicap will increase with age?
Hello, many seniors I know play 5 times a week when it isn't raining. They certainly get their monies worth out of the yearly fees. Surely forward tees don't make a longer course?
Love this Simon. Never given this any thoughts because, like most sports, when you get older you still ‘believe’ you can play like you did when you were much younger? You are spot on here though. I still talk about that one time when I hit a 328 yard drive and scratch my non-hairy head each time it now only goes 210?
Hello Barry, I still think I can thrash a driver and 3 wood onto a 510 yard par 5. Alas I seem to keep needing a wedge at the end of a hole these days. I guess being 5 foot 5 is going to catch up at some point. Of course we remember how far it went that dry summer on a clay course that played like a car park. Like the time at Cirencester on the 3rd from the yellow tees, downwind and the course burned out and the second shot was a short iron. I guess now I need that short iron for my third shot. But we keep trying.
Noticed this with my old man and urged him to move down tees for a couple of years and he finally did it. I think it's more enjoyable for him now. Such a difference when you can play for par a lot of the time and even the occasional birdie.
Note that even the fronts are really, really long for senior ladies, especially on par 5s which are basically insurmountable when your swing speed is that slow.
Clubs could make this transition easier by "age-coding" tees imo. Something like 70+ males are recommended front tees, 70+ ladies tee it up at the start of the fairway or even further up. Of course, it would be optional and there are always people who can still hit it long, but it's pure silliness to have the same default tees for a 30 yo and a 70 yo.
It makes a huge difference. Keeps you relevent in the game if you can still make a par from the right set of tees. I know there is an ego thing about moving forward and having to admit to yourself that the length is gone. It wont bother me if the result is still scoring reasonable. Or just have the opportunity to do so.
Tees for 70 year olds would be ideal.
@@thehairygolfer
I'm much more impressed with a good iron player or a great chipper than smashing it. A poor golfer will never score really well just because he moves forward. If you can use tees where there is a proper chance at getting GIR on at least some holes (even if that is only par3s!), it's the obvious thing to do.
@@niandralades2 I'm not a good iron player! Far from it. But then I am my worst critic. I can usually get it in the right direction and the right distance often enough to make a score. I had 5 months off over winter and it's proving very difficult to get it back to where I want it. But that's golf. I will enjoy the good when it happens.
When I'm on holiday I will play around 6000 yards after a thunderstorm and 6500 if it's dry. I move about to match the conditions. The course plays the same length, when your drive goes splat it's like playing a much longer course. The main thing is to enjoy our golf. I don't think I would enjoy having a 36 handicap.
@@thehairygolfer You are definitely a great chipper, though. Congrats on the hit video!
@@niandralades2 I wish I knew how that happened. UA-cam is a complete mystery to me. I guess I got a lucky dip from the system. Cheers
My group plays a 9 hole par 3 coarse walking 3 times a week, you could play the whole course with a wedge and putter. I'll be 73 this year and I have 3 hole in ones on this course. It fills the bill for golf! And the course just announced an 18 hole putting course! Great for all us seniors! Plus very reasonable prices to play! No need to play a full 18 hole regulation course.
That is good news with golf getting so expensive now. Before this video I played a 9 holer par 3 courses. The greens had not seen a mower in a while which caused my bad putting here. I laughed at how bad it was, I was driving more than I was putting!
Totally agree. I am 58 and joined my seniors section 2 years ago. 9 handicap. Suddenly I appreciate my own game so much more. There are 3 tees on my course with 170 yard carries over OOB or horrible rough, these areas have never featured in my mind. But for some of my new mates they feature in their minds BEFORE they get to those tees, especially wind against. It is unfair to them. Many single figure handicappers I know moan about giving guys 20 shots a round. I don't moan about that. I am grateful that I have a game where I don't have to worry about 170 yard carries over OOB or water or whatever. I support letting people play off a forward tee in competitions as their second shot if they so wish, even though I personally would have less chance of winning if that rule came in. I'd sooner keep those old guys in the game, than quitting because they are losing balls every week trying impossible carries.
There is nothing worse than dreading a hole before you get there. I have that feeling on some holes even now. Hard to play the 4th well if you are already thinking of the 7th.
Fortunately the EGU is slowly getting round to reassessing courses. They have only so amny staff and it's taking time. Hopefully they get them done before I'm too old! Cheers
Senior tees between 5000 to 5300 is optimal. Par 5s should be around 430 to 450 yards. I’m 69 and driver around 180, it would be much more enjoyable. Alas, my home course’s yellow tee is 5500 yards.
There must come a point where a course becomes too long. Not sure I could manage 6500 yards anymore without a jump in handicap. People I speak to want a shorter course and not more shots. Best of luck.
Not sure the about the reason for quitting golf. I gave up club golf in the UK due to the new handicap system. At 76 with a single figure handicap the new system means the lower your handicap the less likely you are of doing well in a club competition. I do agree with you that distance is an issue as you get older. However I would argue the advancement in golf club technology has rendered golf much easier. Don't worry about distance just chip and putt better.
I've heard a lot of opinions this week. Cost is one. WHS is another. Not so much fun giving 27 shots in a match. I will keep going but have decided to play less competitions. We don't stand a chance. Good golf into your 70's, I will be very happy to copy you. Cheers
Your money - your play. Go out to enjoy not worry about handicaps etc.
I personally want to keep playing decent golf for as long as I can. I know it will come to an end. I don't know how I will feel when it does. Cheers
So I do agree that the forward tees should be about 5000 yards. I did not know that the ratings from all tees are based off of "scratch" yardages.....that makes zero sense to me.
Par should be the same from the tips or the forward tees. I also think in addition to distance that skill level should be involved in choosing the correct tees to play from. Playing too long a distance even if you drive it 300 yards into the woods makes for a long round for everyone behind you.
Hi Joey, if the red tees are assessed for men the yuse the same book as the whites. Walk out 260 yards to the middle of the fairway and check the hazards. Then assess the second shot to the green. As the hole is shorter it is assessed as easier. If the whites have a stroke rating of 72 against a par of 72 the yellows would be 70.5 perhaps and reds could be as low as 68 for men. Whereas for a woman the reds could be 73. I agree the pars should be equalised just as they do in Thailand.
Certainly if the course is too long for you it will be a slow round and not the players fault. If the palyer doesn't have a choice they must simply do the best they can and if it's slow he can't help that. Cheers
You're not wrong. There's 4 holes on my home course where I can't now reach the fairway from the men's tees. Hitting second shot from the rough short of the fairway after a "decent" drive is massively demoralising.
On our course, the red tees are exclusively for the women.
I've done some research. 78% of English courses are not assessed for men off the reds. Why? Stuffy old clubs I guess. Have a go at getting the green keepers to mow further back towards the tees. We managed to get it done for the Ladies for a while but then they went back to normal.
So true! Even worse for we senior ladies. I'm 76 and the furthest I can hit my driver is about 145 yards. To really enjoy the game, those of my ilk with a handicap of 24, have the most fun playing courses of around 4600 to 5000 yards. Things are better here in Canada as there arw nant hybrid tees as well. But often we ladies are forced to waste a shot and lay up to hazards the men can carry. Or play par 3's with too long a water carry. I dare say most men wouldn't bother to play the game if the had to play like us which is on in 3 and hope to 1 putt for par or for a par 5, on in 4 and 1 putt for par The reality is taking a lot of 6's and 7's. I still like to shoot in the low to mid 90's and have the occasional 89. Sometimes Im tempted to just play from the very front of the teeing area regardless of where the blocks are. I dont think many men can relate to the average woman's game let alone to a senior lady's game.
Hello and thankyou for a great comment. I've played a lot of mixed golf and love it. I understand your frustrations totally and how difficult it is for you. Taking driver on every par 3 and still not being able to reach. A green in regulation is a myth that never happens. I did see a great hole in 1. 100 yard par 3 and my partner took a 4 iron, landed short, bounced on and rolled out into the hole. I stood her round of drinks, least I could do for a partner.
We all need some shorter tees, we can get some more enjoyment out of the game. I wish golf clubs would talk to the Ladies more and see what they need and want. It's obvious to me walking any golf course that Ladies tees are in the wrong place but I can see that because I play the mixed competitions and can see the difficulties. Not sure what it's like where you are but I would guess here the average Ladies age is 60-65. Thanks again
All courses should have at least 4 sets of tees and preferably 5. This would make it much easier for everybody to play the correct yardage for them. I'd like to see them colored like this: Tips: Red, 2nd: Orange, Middle: Yellow, 4th: Blue, Forward: Green. I'm 73 and never was a long hitter, but I put more balls on the fairway than not. I played to accuracy not length.
Agreed totally. Some countrys seem to better at doing it than others for sure. It would make life a lot more enjoyable as people get older. I'm not there yet, I can still play 6500 quite happily but like you I've never been a long hitter - not at my height! Accuracy and a good wedge and putter do me fine. thanks for the comment.
I recently played a par 5 and hit the best drive of the year followed by the best 3wood of the year followed by a decent 5wood and was still 40yds short of the green. Yes, it's frustrating.
Good grief! That's a long hole Andrew. I just played one of 570 yards and took a 7. But I did hit it like a chump. You can laugh at that in a couple of weeks.
In Sweden you can play which tee you want. In competitions you have to be 75+ to play the forward tee. The forward tee is not called ladies tee.
Hello Carl, different countries do different things. I think Sweden is more enlightened about golf. Encouraging people to play and they know how to retain people in the game. We still have 'Ladies' tees and when our courses were assessed for the WHS the vast majority of clubs kept it that way.
complicated as at 73 Im struggling with distance but I have friends same age or older who hit it further than I go on holiday. Further complicated with stroke index on different courses re strokes given especially as my course has I high index. A non connected issue is the noted increase in months courses are closed in autumn and winter due to wet weather. Hate playing in the rain so wonder if a winter break is fast coming! Thanks again for a thought provoking video
Hello Kevin, there seems to be people who defy age. I doubt I will, not very tall and short arms so i have never hit it far. Far enough to play decent golf but have never kept up with the bombers. Stroke rating, course rating can make a huge difference to how you play. Some places give me 4 shots and some as many as 8. I really don't understand it.
Winter is becoming a pain again. I had 5 months off and am still struggling to get it back. We can only keep trying.
Think about it. The Champions Tour starts at 50. That means you go from the back tees to the mens tees for “professionals”. They used to have a Super Seniors division for guys that reached their 60’s. They moved the tees forward again for those guys. I had rotator cuff/bicep re-attachment surgery about 7 months ago and am just getting the itch to start the process of swinging again. I turn 70 in March 2025. I have never played from anywhere in front of the men’s tees . . . until I come back. I am headed to the furthest forward tees I can find. We’ve earned that right guys!!! Now comes the interesting part of the equation. Before my injury/surgery, I could still hit my driver 270-275 pretty regularly. Even if I can get 90% of that distance back, I am headed to the forward tees. I don’t give a rip what anyone says about it!!!
Club Seniors here start at 55. As I'm still working I've never played with them. I lost 7 months to rotator cuff and it took me 12 months to be as good as I was before the injury. Not sure I could do it now. I wish you all the best and a full recovery and get your game back asap. 270-275 is pretty impressive. I can only get it that far with help from the wind and a firm fairway.
I don't give a stuff what people think in Thailand. Everyone plays the tees they want and nobody cares. If I played the reds here I would never hear the end of it. In fact in Thailand you are encouraged to play forward and enjoy a good score. All the best, I was scared to hit the ball after injury. Afraid of fouling it up again!