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GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
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Ladies and gentlemen in your 40s, 50s and 60s, now hear this! You must continue to get better at golf. Otherwise, say goodbye to the game you love. My favorite golf companion was Bob Wallin, my father-in-law. Bob got along on his short game, course management, guts, fearlessness and determination for years. He was never a long hitter because of his half-sized backswing. Bob played a steady game backed up by chipping, pitching and excellent putting. Trouble came when age and diabetes started to rob him of his health, well-being, hand-eye coordination and range of motion. As he lost distance, his misses started ending up farther from the green, and what had been a chip became a long pitch. What had been a pitch became a half wedge. Bob’s shot-making ability was unequipped to handle this. His scores rose. Once upon a time he could easily break 80, hitting maybe five greens in regulation. This success ended. His unacceptable scores led him to quit. He couldn’t bear to play bogie golf. So here’s the deal: Strengthen up. Get on a stretching program. Hire a fitness coach. Go to the Y. Run. Walk. Take golf lessons. Hit range balls. Practice your short game. And consider appropriate equipment. I am sick over losing my father-in-law as a playing companion. I should have been more insistent when it came to fitness and continual improvement. Golf course architects just want you to be challenged; they don’t want you to be ashamed of your game or to quit as you get older. I don’t want this to happen, either. Bob Madsen, PGA, is Director of Instruction at San Diego’s Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort. Send him an email at bmadsen@sycuanresort.com. |
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RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
Yes, of course golf takes practice or playing alot. I'd rather play into shape rather than the hitting at the range. As I get older, I've been more relaxed playing this %^#*/! game. It's just the &%*/ that tells me I should play better golf. Well just get out and play and forget how it used to be and enjoy the day for the serenity that awaits us on the next @#$%^&* tee.
| Comment at 1/9/2012 |
