50 years old- In the deadzone of golf.

[Scooterboy59]

Turned 50 a few weeks ago and for the past couple of years rededicated myself to playing. Played in a few local individual events and played well. I get to practice and play a few times a week and would like to play some state level events. I know I am competitive, and love tournament play. I just wished the state and usga would have Senior events that start at 50 not 55. I not scared of these college kids but it would be nice to compete in a few tournaments with guys closer to my age.

[deetsal]

Agreed.

[HatsForBats]

Maybe you can talk your local golf association into putting together such a tournament? Talk to others around your age and see if there is any interest.

[cardoustie]

Agreed. I turn 50 in a few months

 

Senior should be 50

 

Last provincial Am I played in I was only 1 of 3 guys over 40.

 

The Mid-Am thing is also a disaster. It was 40 when I was 25 ... then worked it's way backwards to 35, then 30 then 25 to match the USGA. Kept me out of mid-am's when I was at my best level after college golf

[finleysg]

In Minnesota, 50 is the age for the Sr Open and the Sr Publinks. That is also the age at my local club for the Sr Club Championship. My understanding is that the USGA and their state level associations are committed to 55.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

AZ has a Masters division which I believe is 40 or 45

[cardoustie]

Our mid-am has a mid-masters division for top finishers over 40 . .an event within the event

 

I'd be all for a 40-54 comp division in golf

[buckeyefl]

Turned 50 a few weeks ago and for the past couple of years rededicated myself to playing. Played in a few local individual events and played well. I get to practice and play a few times a week and would like to play some state level events. I know I am competitive, and love tournament play. I just wished the state and usga would have Senior events that start at 50 not 55. I not scared of these college kids but it would be nice to compete in a few tournaments with guys closer to my age.

 

Well that news ruins my plans, lol. I thought they did start at 50. Damn

[MountainGoat]

Senior should start at 67. All you young guys piss me off.

[deadsolid...shank]

Maybe had my best year ever at 50. Next year I'll be the qualified age of 55. Unfortunately, that game I had at 50 is a long gone!?

[elwhippy]

European Senior Tour. 50. All our local seniors events 55. Some even say retirees only. And a lot of individual events have been turned it 4bbb or scrambles...

[Ferguson]

Golf is a game of scores, not birthdays. Play the young guys and try to beat them. It's only 5 years.

 

 

TIP: If you want to socialize in that environment, just stand next to one of them, say nothing and stare at your phone.

They will accept you as an equal.

[BrianL99]

If you can't out drive them, out putt them.

[Man_O_War]

is age like Pavin vs Norman at Shinnecock? So Norman is the 25 year old who hits it a ton... and super senior Pavin just has a magical short game and putting...and course management with no ego. I think you can hang with the younglings...just need a different game

[bulls9999]

Oklahoma Golf Association has 3 senior events for 50-yrs old:

1. Senior Spring 4-ball Championship
   
2. Senior State Amateur Championship
   
3. Senior Stroke Play Championship
   

[exgolfpro]

Turned 50 a few weeks ago and for the past couple of years rededicated myself to playing. Played in a few local individual events and played well. I get to practice and play a few times a week and would like to play some state level events. I know I am competitive, and love tournament play. I just wished the state and usga would have Senior events that start at 50 not 55. I not scared of these college kids but it would be nice to compete in a few tournaments with guys closer to my age.

 

I'm 51 and play in a small handful of local and state events each year. Our state has a state Mid-Am tournament. Must be 25 or older to play. It weeds out the college kids. Also, if you have any interest in playing in USGA qualifiers, the US Senior Open qualifying starts at age 50.

[farmer]

Senior should start at 67. All you young guys piss me off.

Totally on board.

[mark m]

I am in the same state as Finley - MN - and most of our senior events are 55. He mentioned a couple that are 50. I agree with your sentiment about 50 but would encourage you to keep playing in the other am events just to keep your game sharp until you hit 55. I believe just about all of our current top senior ams in my state kept playing in those years. Due to two changes in career/jobs and family commitments, I dropped out of playing in most state tournaments from age 51 to 55. My game suffered a little bit. Now 55 and just a weekend player but back to a plus index. I was hoping to play in more state events this year but work commitments got in the way. I did play one senior four-ball in Sept, but that was it. Hope to do more next year although I am not too excited by some of the courses which are hosting those tournaments next season. So we'll see what happens.

 

But anyway - keep playing if you are able.

Best,

Mark

[andrue]

Meh. Born February 1967. I'm not scared of the whipper snappers - my handicap equals the field nicely :)

 

I still feel young but I was a bit put-out at the weekend. I was visiting my ageing Dad and we went to his community centre. While I was waiting I scanned the notice board and saw a leaflet entitled something like:

 

"Ageing well - a group for the over 50s"

 

It was surrounded by other leaflets for macular degeneration, arthritis and meals on wheels. :fie:

[MtlJeff]

I play at one of the top golf clubs in Quebec, our match play club champion this year is 56yrs old and probably carries his driver about 260yds. Our stroke play club champion is 60yrs old and doesn't hit it a ton but is obviously a great player still. Our course is 6700yds from the CC tees.

 

The lowest score ever shot in our CC was by a guy that ended up playing pro golf, second lowest score ever was by a guy who was 56-57 at the time.

 

You can play great golf in your 50's I think

[dpb5031]

I'll be 50 in a few months and agree that it's easy to feel like you're in a bit of a competitive no man's land, but also agree with others that you just have to keep playing/competing.

 

I've been a member of my club for 23 years and won our club championship for the first time this year at age 49. Crazy to think that I'll also be able to compete for the "Senior" club championship next season! (50 is senior for our club events)

 

I can still get it out there long enough to be competitive, but it's sobering to play with some of the college kids with 115+ chs. What I've noticed though is most of these young guys can't keep their competitive games real sharp once they enter the workforce, marry, kids, etc., so things level off.

[stormbringer]

I turn 53 in a couple of weeks. I live in Utah and all senior events here are 50. Played in my first senior event earlier this year and won by 7 shots (not a top field event). I have played in a couple more and a few 2 man events. Have cashed in most with some wins some 2-4. I still play quite a few other events with mixed age guys. It is fun to be one of the longer guys again instead of watching high school and college guys smoke a drive 50 yards past my 280-300 (Utah lots of elevation).

[EKELLY]

is age like Pavin vs Norman at Shinnecock? So Norman is the 25 year old who hits it a ton... and super senior Pavin just has a magical short game and putting...and course management with no ego. I think you can hang with the younglings...just need a different game

How much does age contribute to choking?........

 

I'll be 50 in a few months and agree that it's easy to feel like you're in a bit of a competitive no man's land, but also agree with others that you just have to keep playing/competing.

 

I've been a member of my club for 23 years and won our club championship for the first time this year at age 49. Crazy to think that I'll also be able to compete for the "Senior" club championship next season! (50 is senior for our club events)

 

I can still get it out there long enough to be competitive, but it's sobering to play with some of the college kids with 115+ chs. What I've noticed though is most of these young guys can't keep their competitive games real sharp once they enter the workforce, marry, kids, etc., so things level off.

Working for a living sure has its complications.....lol

[Mr. Grumpy]

Im 52 and feel that I am at a bit of a disadvantage. I can still get the ball out there relative to my normal playing groups, all my age or just older. My club has diff flights for the championship and other tournaments so it helps a bit. But If I play well enough to make it into the A flight I am screwed. They are younger, hit it farther etc.. Im also a part timer and many of the best players in their 40's probably miss a mini tour by one stroke.

 

Same in cycling, If I move into the masters category and out of cat 3,4 or 5 I toast as well. I can sort of hang with the young ones, but the masters my age have figured out long ago how to manage training and family. Again, I am more of a part timer since family, so it is what it is.

 

Both of my favorite sports, golf and cycling take more time than I am able to give without all the other responsibilities, and I am not willing to give up one. I practice, play and compete in both with this understanding.

 

I get to move up a tee in tournaments in 2.4 years..... : D

[oldpalchamp]

It's just a number. The good news, years fly by as you get older. You'll be 55 before you know it and hitting it past the 60 year olds playing in the same events.

[hybrid25]

50 is the prime of your life! You want to be included in the senior division? ?

[Mr. Grumpy]

50 is the prime of your life! You want to be included in the senior division?

 

Yes,,, I need to justify my grumpy demeanor and ibuprofen intake...

[hybrid25]

50 is the prime of your life! You want to be included in the senior division? ��

 

Yes,,, I need to justify my grumpy demeanor and ibuprofen intake...

Aren't the meds great, we'd be lost wo them. Im early 60's and three surgeries to my name. Although, at 45-50 I felt like a stud (I really wasn't one though)

[dpb5031]

50 is the prime of your life! You want to be included in the senior division? ��

 

Yes,,, I need to justify my grumpy demeanor and ibuprofen intake...

Aren't the meds great, we'd be lost wo them. Im early 60's and three surgeries to my name. Although, at 45-50 I felt like a stud (I really wasn't one though)

 

Regarding the meds. Frustrated ex-athlete and gym rat here with surgeries to knee, hip, and shoulder. Been on NSAIDS for years.

 

Recently went through a comprehensive cardio/pulmonary work-Up and everything was great, but the cardiologist recommended dropping the NSAIDS as I'd been on them for 20+ years, from aspirin and ibuprofen to Naproxen, last one being Celebrex.

 

I've been off of them and on fish oils for 5 months and don't feel any worse. I have a script for Tramadol 5mg that I take only occasionally prior to playing if I'm sore. So far, so good..

[andrue]

50 is the prime of your life! You want to be included in the senior division? ��

 

Yes,,, I need to justify my grumpy demeanor and ibuprofen intake...

You mean you've not moved on to Diclofenac yet? Everyone I know over 40 is a a Volterol addict :)