Father Time is undefeated.
You might be young and spry now, but give it five or ten years …
Those aches and pains your parents are always complaining about will soon be yours. And when that fateful day comes, know I’ll be ready to hit you over the head with the following …
“Told ya so.”
I say that as if I were a 65-year-old, early-bird-special disc golfer – I’m freshly 34. But I started playing disc golf at the age of 15 at Hunter Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fortunately, as expected, there’s a night-and-day difference between the way my game used to be and what it is today.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that my 34-year-old self would crush 15-year-old me on just about any course in the country. But even today, though (relatively) young and in fairly decent shape, my body talks to me far more now than it did when I was a teenager.
- I think twice before throwing a sidearm or overhand shot.
- Elbow and shoulder pain don’t just go away on their own.
- My frame feels the effects of a weekend-long tournament.
And much, much more …
You get the idea.
However, on the flip side of this coin is the fact that I’m still playing disc golf – and an unhealthy amount of it. In my thirties, that’s not impressive. But in my sixties and seventies, it will be.
Also in their thirties, my buddies who played tackle football in high school and college can’t say the same. That pigskin-covered ship has sailed. And though it’s technically possible to continue with the likes of soccer, hockey and baseball as an older person, each is different for adults.
- Rules are put in place to prevent injury.
- Competing by yourself is impossible.
- Everything’s slower, too.
And more lame, might I add.
Meanwhile, in disc golf, you have Juliana Korver winning the 2021 PDGA Rookie of the Year award at 52 years of age. And Scott Stokely looks better than ever – he’s an inspiration to me.
My point is this …
It’s great to grow old with disc golf.
No, you probably won’t throw as many dirty flicks in your fifties as you did in your twenties. And that stack of Star Destroyers you bag is likely to be replaced by Star Terns and Roadrunners.
But on the amateur scene, at least, I know a handful of guys who are old enough to be my kids’ grandparents who can whoop my butt with a golf disc any day of the mother-freaking week.
They play smart. They choose their gear wisely.
They play within themselves, too.
And you know what?
I want to BE them one day.
I’m well on my way.
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Great post. Hits home for me. I started playing disc golf in 1982, when I was in high school, played for ten years or so. Stopped playing for almost 25 years, and just started again a few years ago when my son returned from college where he began playing disc golf.
It was a shock not just to see how much the sport had grown in that time, but also how my body could simply no longer do what it used to do. I had to learn to play all over again, changing my game play – playing within my game, as you said.
Long drives are long gone. Now it’s about accuracy, playing smart, and maximizing my approach and putting game.
And despite the physical limitations, I’m playing the best disc golf of my life. Not that I was ever that great to begin with, but still. So much better plastic is out there, so many resources for improving your game, and so many more courses to play.
I’m 59yo, and hope to still be at it 20 years from now.
That’s a great story, Ken!
Thanks for sharing – and for sticking with the game.
Happy to have you back 🙂
I can’t even imagine disc golf back in 1982 …
TONS of growth between then and now.
Talk about a nigh-and-day difference.
I’m 63, started about 6 years ago. I’m better because I’m smarter. Yes indeed, well placed approach shots and putting is truly important. But, in the past year, I’ve been able to add 25-50′ on my drives from the tee box. The rest of the over 60 crowd are wondering if I’m on steroids…Not, just ridi g my bike 8-10 miles a day, my core strength has got to be the ticket to the longer drives.
Oh well, trees still get in the way though, haha.
Congrats, Boomer!
That’s great to hear.
How far are you stretching those distance drivers these days, if you don’t mind me asking?
Inching up to 300′ occasionally, consistent to 275-280′. Not too bad for an old guy…It’s been good to learn and grow with the game the last few years.
Hey, that’s awesome!
300 feet is farther than you think …
There are LOTS of younger guys who can’t throw that far.
And it sounds like you’re focused on the right stuff, anyway: Putting, approaching and playing smart.
In the division in which you compete, that’s what matters most 🙂
Onwards and upwards!