Question for the other senior citizens of the forum

[OnTheBag]

1 hour ago, WilliePPQ said:

72 and still walking as much as I can when playing. I have found that going to a "mixed bag" of almost anything that works is right for me. Playing X-forged Callaway irons 8-9-PW. And add in a few loft adjusted Tommy Armour 855 5-6-7. Toss in a couple hybrids from Wilson and Ping and you get the picture. I tend to pick and choose based upon the track we are playing, as we typically play multiple places in a week. Oh yes also try to keep to 12 club max! So maybe mixing in G425's a little bit at a time might work?

One of my regular groups still walks once a week during the summer on a shorter, old layout course.  Other than that, I try to stick to a cart.  Playing 4 or 5 times a week, my hip and knees just won't let me play that often while walking every round.  

 

A lot of my problem in switching to the GI irons is that I've become a "feel" golfer.  Meaning that I tend to massage the ball into the position I want with little regard to whether I'm hitting a 5i or 7i.  No ego involved at all.  What I noticed today while playing the G425 5i/6i was that the ball tends to jump off the face and I lose the feel.  It was more forgiving on mishits, but I rarely have those.  If nothing else, after 50+ years of steady play, I am consistent.  

 

This was a good discussion and I appreciate all the feedback.  Hit 'em straight boys and most of all enjoy each day in the sun.  

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

12 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

I'm late '70s and will be carried out on my shield.

I stretch and keep the length of swing good. On the range last week quite satisfactory, Wilson 1969 fluid feels + persimmon, no concessions.

And I still carry a 12 club bag.....

Gentlemen, and any non-specific others,

I say this not to be heroic or some sort of role model for the aged. I picked golf as my sport. I play it, not because it is easy, but because it is difficult. And in doing so, I may learn about myself and others. As I anticipated aging I never expected to have an 'opt-out' clause, an easier option with game improvement clubs. I expected to age and have declining powers. I still accept the challenge and I shall continue to play ('play' , because it's a game, and all that 'game' implies). The handicap system takes care of my aging process. My golf bag takes care of my declining physical powers....this year 12 clubs in the bag, on a good day 14. Next year I may be down to 8 or 9....or 3 or 4. It isn't given to me to know, it is given to me to sustain a direction, and with the help of true golfers I can grace the fairways for a few years yet.

God bless all true golfers and I wish you all health and power to enjoy however you play the game in the coming year.

[BIG STU]

For me right now it is the clubs in my signature due to my back injuries and the vibration caused by steel shafts. I was told those irons are not GI but players CBs. The guy that told me this is a former TM staffer and he still plays a set with S-400 steel shafts. He did say those irons were not really mainstram because for most they were hard to hit and not many sets were made. I told him they were not to hard for me to hit. He told me he could see it for me with me playing Macgregor blades most of my life. For me bluntly it was switch or quit at this stage. 

 

Yeah I really do miss playing my VIPs or FCs and loved being that guy who shows up with a worn lead taped set of blades and kicks butt. Also miss my vintage rounds with persimmon and blades even playing by myself. Right now all of that is on hold but I am not giving up hope. With the signature set I can play more and practice more without pain. I am hoping that maybe I can recover even more and build myself back up to playing my beloved Machogans again.

Yeah I had to put the man card away for now. Also did something else. My normal practice routine I would hit one of my persimmon drivers to help my ball striking some. I had to quit that for a while until I remembered in the Penna stash I had a Graphite shafted Penna Persimmon that Old School Rocker gave me some time back. It is more or less a R flex. I take it out in practice and hit it with no pain. Now I can not bomb it like I can my 57 Velocitized Mac but it does serve its purpose if I can reasonabably hit it in the face then the modern M-6 is a no brainer. I also practice putting with my Old Cleveland Designed by 8802 or one of my numerous Ironmasters or Bulls Eyes for the same reason. I also miss being able to walk 9 holes with my Moonlight bag with 5 vintage clubs or so. Hoping to maybe build back up to that some.

[elwhippy]

Once you pass 50 the game needs to be about consistency. A move to a more forgiving club is no big deal. I carry two hybrids and my longest iron is 5..and switched back to R flex shafts. Had best season in ages. 

[GrandStranded]

On 12/31/2021 at 1:28 PM, ShortGolfer said:

As your swing speed slows down you may want to consider carrying fewer clubs.  As well as changing to softer graphite shafts.  And moving up to closer tees.

But, as long as you play at a decent pace, I doubt anyone cares what clubs you carry.

 

I've gotten compliments on my Sunday bag from walkers passing by the course on the 9th hole, as I still have enough energy to briskly walk up to the elevated tee box!

 

 

 

Life is a circle, 😂 

Quite a few of us learned with a beginners setup of D, 3w, 3,5,7,9, PW and SW,. And a lot of seniors would be smart to go back to a modern version of that type bag.

 I talked a friend into moving up a box. He resisted for a while, but he now uses 12* driver, 5w, 22*,26*,30* hybs, 8,P,S and putter. His gapping is great now, and he’s playing clubs he can elevate easily.

He’s scoring better and enjoying the game again. It was sad watching him try to play a 3w off the deck, or hit a 4 iron over a waste area.

 

[crazygolfnut]

I am 68 turning 69 in a month.  One of the best things I did a few years ago was to order a new set of irons with graphite shafts and the longest iron is a 6. My wedges and putter have steel shafts but everything else is graphite. 

[Hickory4ever]

I am almost 68 and have no intention to play GI irons. I play historical clubs (hickory and classic steel) more than 70% of the time and play more than 170 times in a year. I have stayed relatively injury free because I have accepted that swinging slower puts less stress on my body, especially my bad right knee which requires a brace. 
 

Scoring clubs require feel and forged clubs work best for me. I carry a couple hybrids and a 4-PW (24-48 degrees) set of old Mizuno MP 52’s, a 12degree SIM2 Max driver and 16.5 SIM2 Max 4W when I want to play “modern” equipment. I usually putt with an old Otey Crisman mallet, it works. 
 

The only place I see a benefit in technology is in the long clubs. For irons, I just want consistency club to club and the last thing I want is a hot face. 
 

My handicap index has only gone just above 10 in the last five years because of losing length. My short game has improved compensating for part of the loss to father time. Playing over a hundred rounds per year with hickory clubs has turned into the best swing trainer, it has actually made me better which was an unexpected bonus.

 

With modern equipment, I can still compete from tees up to 6000-6200 yards. I score about the same with my hickories from 5300-5500. The moral of the story, play from the appropriate tees, play within yourself, have fun. 
 

Rather than getting GI shovels, I would consider making sure your shaft flex is right, for me it is still regular flex. 

[RSinSG]

In 1982-83 I got a set of Ping Eye 2’s (that I still have) and at 70 years old I’ve been playing CB type clubs ever since. I did transition to Steelefiber shafts several years ago and last year to Recoil graphite’s but even as a younger man I figured if a certain club design is easier to hit it made sense to use it. 

[OnTheBag]

4 hours ago, RSinSG said:

In 1982-83 I got a set of Ping Eye 2’s (that I still have) and at 70 years old I’ve been playing CB type clubs ever since. I did transition to Steelefiber shafts several years ago and last year to Recoil graphite’s but even as a younger man I figured if a certain club design is easier to hit it made sense to use it. 

I love my Eye2's.  Play mine at least once a month and more often if possible.  One of the best irons ever made in my opinion.  

[Gsea]

My gammers are Mizuno t-zoid trues for the last 20 yrs or so. Before this thread even came up was thinking about trying GI irons next year for fun. So I am planning on playing my Eye2 BECUs all season. Best GI iron out there 🙂

[Forged Hack]

17 hours ago, Gsea said:

My gammers are Mizuno t-zoid trues for the last 20 yrs or so. Before this thread even came up was thinking about trying GI irons next year for fun. So I am planning on playing my Eye2 BECUs all season. Best GI iron out there 🙂

Took my eye 2’s out yesterday and they just plain work. Wedges are super friendly around the green, mid length irons are plenty workable. Great clubs! 

[Gsea]

16 minutes ago, Forged Hack said:

Took my eye 2’s out yesterday and they just plain work. Wedges are super friendly around the green, mid length irons are plenty workable. Great clubs! 

What putter is that? Mine is a My Day

 

[Fellaheen51]

The steel shafted iron set.  Improved playability by installing lighter weight regulars instead of the Z-Z65's. They do play quite nice, for 25 year old irons.  (Remain suspicious of the hype.)  Have another modernist set with graphite that's played as well.  Switch them up based on whim and fancy, and the "feels" on any given day.  

 

When one is a bogey golfer of modest abilities, the implements wielded can be changed up without being overly concerned that they'll make much of a difference.  I ride, I walk.  And sure as hell don't carry.  That's what the 3-wheel trolly is for.  

 

Then again, I'm not a senior citizen quite yet.  Have a few more years to go until I might classify myself as one.  Only 70.5 years of age as I type.  

 

[Pete O'Tube]

Age 67 and happy with my 4 - W MP18 Hi Fli/ SC combo set with Recoil 95 graphites. I have never been happy with hybrids, so have either turned my 3 wood up to 16deg and my 5 wood to 20deg, or dropped the 3 wood and added a 7 wood to the standard 5 wood. 

Edited January 3, 2022 by Pete O'Tube

[BIG STU]

On 1/1/2022 at 10:35 PM, Hickory4ever said:

I am almost 68 and have no intention to play GI irons. I play historical clubs (hickory and classic steel) more than 70% of the time and play more than 170 times in a year. I have stayed relatively injury free because I have accepted that swinging slower puts less stress on my body, especially my bad right knee which requires a brace. 
 

Scoring clubs require feel and forged clubs work best for me. I carry a couple hybrids and a 4-PW (24-48 degrees) set of old Mizuno MP 52’s, a 12degree SIM2 Max driver and 16.5 SIM2 Max 4W when I want to play “modern” equipment. I usually putt with an old Otey Crisman mallet, it works. 
 

The only place I see a benefit in technology is in the long clubs. For irons, I just want consistency club to club and the last thing I want is a hot face. 
 

My handicap index has only gone just above 10 in the last five years because of losing length. My short game has improved compensating for part of the loss to father time. Playing over a hundred rounds per year with hickory clubs has turned into the best swing trainer, it has actually made me better which was an unexpected bonus.

 

With modern equipment, I can still compete from tees up to 6000-6200 yards. I score about the same with my hickories from 5300-5500. The moral of the story, play from the appropriate tees, play within yourself, have fun. 
 

Rather than getting GI shovels, I would consider making sure your shaft flex is right, for me it is still regular flex. 

You are one of the guys I would say that despite the distance loss knows how to golf his ball and has adjusted his game to fit his swing now

Edited January 3, 2022 by BIG STU

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, Forged Hack said:

Took my eye 2’s out yesterday and they just plain work. Wedges are super friendly around the green, mid length irons are plenty workable. Great clubs! 

You are going to love this---- Some time ago I found an orphan Ping Eye 2 PW with a broken shaft on the pile at work. Of course I saved it. In my stash I found a brand new marked Cleveland wedge shaft with a new grip. Think it may have came from some of the stuff Golfsmith dumped out when they were closing. Anyhow put it together some time ago. I had checked the loft at 51*. Any clubs like that I note on a strip of tape what they are for future reference. I hit it and it hit well but had no use at the time for it because I was still gaming my Machogans with a 49* PW. Got put in the wedge bag for something or other. Now recently when switching to the more modern TM irons I needed a gap wedge and plus I had lost distance. I had went through a few in my stash to find the right one. I had also during this modified the bounce on a Cally PM 56* and had fallen in love with that ugly thing. Messing around the shop Thursday I found the Eye2 PW. I had always liked the way it sat and hit. Threw it in the bag and practiced it Thursday and Friday. Fell in love with it for now. Put it into play Saturday in the Shootout glad I did. Hit 2 spectacular shots that spun and stopped inside the leather and I think helped us win. So for now it is in

[OnTheBag]

23 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

You are one of the guys I would say that despite the distance loss knows how to golf his ball and has adjusted his game to fit his swing now

Agreed.  I would be cautious putting too much on the line against @Hickory4ever.  He is too much like me and you Stu.  Hustlers understand their hustle.

[BIG STU]

12 minutes ago, OnTheBag said:

Agreed.  I would be cautious putting too much on the line against @Hickory4ever.  He is too much like me and you Stu.  Hustlers understand their hustle.

Exactly You read through my line exactly---- Yep it takes a hustler to know a hustler

[Forged Hack]

54 minutes ago, Gsea said:

What putter is that? Mine is a My Day

 

Anser 3.

With the original  double R grip which oddly goes for a lot of $$?

 The shafts chrome started to flake off so I sprayed clear poly on it, 

[Buzzkill]

Any switch from MP-18s will be a step down.

[Hickory4ever]

Thanks guys for the nice comments, would love to get a game in together some time. And Stu, I get immense pleasure taking a couple bucks off a young guy that hits it way by me.

 

I really don’t think chasing the latest iron technology is going to help any of us old guys turn back the clock. Loft for loft, I only find about a ten percent difference between my 1920’s irons and current players irons as long as shaft length is standard. Swing within yourself and make sure your shafts are not too stiff.

 

 

[Forged Hack]

1 hour ago, Fellaheen51 said:

The steel shafted iron set.  Improved playability by installing lighter weight regulars instead of the Z-Z65's. They do play quite nice, for 25 year old irons.  (Remain suspicious of the hype.)  Have another modernist set with graphite that's played as well.  Switch them up based on whim and fancy, and the "feels" on any given day.  

 

When one is a bogey golfer of modest abilities, the implements wielded can be changed up without being overly concerned that they'll make much of a difference.  I ride, I walk.  And sure as hell don't carry.  That's what the 3-wheel trolly is for.  

 

Then again, I'm not a senior citizen quite yet.  Have a few more years to go until I might classify myself as one.  Only 70.5 years of age as I type.  

 

Isi Nickel Green Dots, Ping Max Driver, a couple of Ping laminates for a nod to the eighties…you my sir have moved up a notch on my list!

[Forged Hack]

Stu, good call on marking that 51 degree eye 2 wedge with tape, saves yet another internet search.

To the OP, here’s what I mean on how the eye 2 wedges are green friendly. Compared to my only other two sets (Titleist Tm and Wilson Staffs) I would dare to say the Ping is game improvement for sure.

[raggal62]

27 minutes ago, Hickory4ever said:

Thanks guys for the nice comments, would love to get a game in together some time. And Stu, I get immense pleasure taking a couple bucks off a young guy that hits it way by me.

 

I really don’t think chasing the latest iron technology is going to help any of us old guys turn back the clock. Loft for loft, I only find about a ten percent difference between my 1920’s irons and current players irons as long as shaft length is standard. Swing within yourself and make sure your shafts are not too stiff.

 

 

Good advice and agree completely in regards to shaft flex. Some seniors need to accept the fact that too stiff a shaft is doing them a disfavor. Swallow your pride and drop down a flex, perhaps even two.

[Soloman1]

I’m almost 70 and still playing blades, but stepped down a flex. Everyone is different, play with what you play best with.

 

I played with a little old guy who had a puff of white hair on top and a bag of woods + putter. He hit it about 100 yards at the most but kept moving down the fairway and didn’t bother with practice swings.

 

After a few holes, I told him that I hoped I could still play like him when I was his age.

 

Turned out that he was younger than me…

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, Hickory4ever said:

Thanks guys for the nice comments, would love to get a game in together some time. And Stu, I get immense pleasure taking a couple bucks off a young guy that hits it way by me.

 

I really don’t think chasing the latest iron technology is going to help any of us old guys turn back the clock. Loft for loft, I only find about a ten percent difference between my 1920’s irons and current players irons as long as shaft length is standard. Swing within yourself and make sure your shafts are not too stiff.

 

 

Yeah I agree newer technology is not going to help us turn back the clock----- The only reason I am sorta semi modern ( well the irons after all are 8 years old) is because of the shafts. I need the graphite to cushion the nerve issues from a back injury. Now I will admit the lofts are somewhat stronger in relationship to my VIP blades but in all honesty the distances are about the same maybe 2 or 3 yards longer. Now due to the shafts and head design the mid and short irons fly higher. And yes In the past before my injury in April of 2020 I loved being the guy that kicked butt and took names with sorta rusty lead taped old "antique" blades. Yep I would love to tee it up sometime. Heck if my back was not messed up I would pull out some of my hickories. Yep I have dabbled with them some but not enough to honestly call myself a Hickory player. And yes I have to take it easy and swing within myself If I do not I pay for it hours later and sometimes for days afterward

[anser85029]

Do I sense a possible "us old guys shootout" at Stu's track someday in the future? What a hoot that would be...2 man better ball pot game with a separate skin game and greenies on the side from the senior tees?...no modern day clubheads allowed with an exception for "titanium trampoline" drivers only?

 

oh man, us "old hustlers" might show up in droves 

[OnTheBag]

5 minutes ago, anser85029 said:

Do I sense a possible "us old guys shootout" at Stu's track someday in the future? What a hoot that would be...2 man better ball pot game with a separate skin game and greenies on the side from the senior tees?...no modern day clubheads allowed with an exception for "titanium trampoline" drivers only?

 

oh man, us "old hustlers" might show up in droves 

That would be a blast.  Oh the stories that could be told and the lies that could be perpetuated.  I'm in.  

[BIG STU]

1 minute ago, OnTheBag said:

That would be a blast.  Oh the stories that could be told and the lies that could be perpetuated.  I'm in.  

Lets go for it

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, Forged Hack said:

Stu, good call on marking that 51 degree eye 2 wedge with tape, saves yet another internet search.

To the OP, here’s what I mean on how the eye 2 wedges are green friendly. Compared to my only other two sets (Titleist Tm and Wilson Staffs) I would dare to say the Ping is game improvement for sure.

I have my own loft and lie machine plus I have my old school flat plate and club protractor. I check and mark when I put them up for later use because I will forget except for any of my Macgregors which on those I have the specs burned into my brain and all of my Macs are set alike.