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Does age matter?
- Thread starter mooredisc
- Start date
Dire Wolfy
Still a puppy
No it doesn't.
I'm 73 and I didn't take up the game until I was around 68 or so. As far as advice, I started out by watching a ton of videos on youtube, and since I was retired and had the time, I tried to play everyday if I could. I only hope that you get as much enjoyment out of the sport as I do.:thmbup:
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2012
- Messages
- 4,000
It matters in that your muscles have lost some of the whip they had in your 20s-30s.
Pretty hard to bomb if you start after 50; however, that depends on your overall condition and build. If you are in good shape and 6'4" with a huge wingspan, you could still bomb.
But you probably do have the wisdom to spend the time working on the putt and approach game.
Pretty hard to bomb if you start after 50; however, that depends on your overall condition and build. If you are in good shape and 6'4" with a huge wingspan, you could still bomb.
But you probably do have the wisdom to spend the time working on the putt and approach game.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2014
- Messages
- 1,680
I started at 58 and I'm still improving with practice and play. You already did the best move by joining this forum. I would start here https://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119328 with Sidewinder22's videos (Reciprocating Dingle Arm, Power of Posture, and the Door Frame Drills). And I think the best advice for everyone learning to play is stretching exercises, especially if you haven't exercised in a while.
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2009
- Messages
- 15,724
53 yrs old, been playing about 14 yrs...been v-e-r-y slowly getting better every year, but the trend's been consistent.
On the whole, no, it doesn't matter... but you probs won't get the same distance the same form would have gotten you decades ago. Good form can still get you out to 300 or better, we old guys generally have pretty good short games.
The only time I notice my age is it's tougher to play 3-4 rounds a day on road trips, and if they're particularly hilly or long courses, I feel it the next day, whereas I never felt it a few years ago.
On the whole, no, it doesn't matter... but you probs won't get the same distance the same form would have gotten you decades ago. Good form can still get you out to 300 or better, we old guys generally have pretty good short games.
The only time I notice my age is it's tougher to play 3-4 rounds a day on road trips, and if they're particularly hilly or long courses, I feel it the next day, whereas I never felt it a few years ago.
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- Joined
- Dec 21, 2009
- Messages
- 3,947
Lots of older folks on here, and on the course. Including me.
As Monkeypaws said, good putting, approaching, scrambling, and accuracy compensates somewhat for the whippersnappers throwing farther. Especially in the woods.
As Monkeypaws said, good putting, approaching, scrambling, and accuracy compensates somewhat for the whippersnappers throwing farther. Especially in the woods.
I'll be 61 this year. This game helps keep you healthy and it's fun. Work on your accuracy and use lighter weight discs as drivers. I still like closer to max weight for my approach, mid range and putter discs.
I use a cart and carry a stool with me all the time so I can rest a few minutes here and there. Save the energy for your throws.
I use a cart and carry a stool with me all the time so I can rest a few minutes here and there. Save the energy for your throws.
Casey 1988
Shun the frumious Bandersnatch!
Yeah my Dad did not start until age 43 and he had when he played more the best Idea, he saw a guy at age 45 with a disc golf bag that was a fishing stool with saddle bags that were built into the bag while playing disc on vacation. My dad asked where the guy got the bag and he said Walmart, so when my dad got home he got the same bag and I would have gotten one too a few weeks later but they were sold out and those bags have never been seen again anywhere.
So my dad has a Disc golf bag with built in stool to it though a single strap bag. I did the same but with the Vertex Fishing Backpack 11 years later in 2017 and wow I can sit every time an not have to remember a stool. Dad is now 58 years old.
So my dad has a Disc golf bag with built in stool to it though a single strap bag. I did the same but with the Vertex Fishing Backpack 11 years later in 2017 and wow I can sit every time an not have to remember a stool. Dad is now 58 years old.
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VLaForce2002
Par Member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2017
- Messages
- 182
51. Playing in earnest for about one year. Using 155g axiom drivers I have moved my distance to 300. I practice with ions and anodes (175g) in the field each week for form and can put them between 180-200 from a stand still. I recommend ghostloop's videos on YouTube. I also recommend heavier mids (170+). One of the best things I discovered is a sort of natural "Advil" where I take digestive enzymes on an empty stomach before and after playing and my soreness and recovery time is greatly reduced.
Now 55, been playing for almost 6 years now. Age is irrelevant, but flexibility and training your twitch muscles is vital. My typical distance is 320 off the tee, but I think I'm going to be much closer to 350 avg by the end of 2018. I've had enough of those random much further drives to realize the potential is there, just need to reel it in. A 300ft drive combined with a solid short game will allow you to be competitive on the course in our age division. You'll lose more strokes in the pro divisions to the guys that can bomb, but typically it's a battle from 200ft in.
It does and it doesn't. I'm about to turn 35 and have been playing 14 years. I just don't have the recovery I used to and I have to space out how often I play. I typically only practice putting on the weekdays to give my arm and shoulder time to recover from throwing hard on the weekends.
biscoe
* Ace Member *
52 with a bad back and have been playing a long time- don't have the stamina for it I once did but other than that my enjoyment has not waned. I cannot recommend a cart highly enough- you can modify a traditional golf one for a fraction of the price of one made for dg.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2012
- Messages
- 2,813
Started at 50 & am 57 now. Improvement has been gradual, and I know I'll never throw big bomber drives, but I often get compliments on my approach game and hit 'long' putts often. Though it feels like I'm sore almost every day, the flight of a well-thrown shot is worth it every time.
...ps: all you folks over 50. Please grow the Senior Games/ Olympics in your state so we can get disc golf back in the National Senior Games!
...ps: all you folks over 50. Please grow the Senior Games/ Olympics in your state so we can get disc golf back in the National Senior Games!
59, started in my late 30s. Over the hill, and a bit surprised how low the hill turned out to be. Still love playing, though my affection for tournaments has diminished a bit.
Keller
* Ace Member *
Does age matter? All depends on how you look at it.
It's not a deterrent to enjoymet, but you're probably never going to be able to throw a 450ft spike hyzers.
57 now, started when I was 50 and got serious about the game 5 years ago.
I can putt, approach game is sound and my accuracy is spot on inside 250ft.
I lack distance. I average around 320-330ft with the occasional 350+.
Have to know your limitations and work to improve your short game. I play with guys who can bomb, but I often beat them (especially on a wooded course) because I get in very little trouble and have a lot of finesse.
Lots of videos out there to help get your form down. It's a work in progress.
As for discs,Take a read through this thread, it might help. Best thing I ever did for my game was to follow this advice for a few months. It totally changed my game and outlook. Quite the reality check.
https://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32790
As for drivers, try some lighter weights. I have found 160-163gr to be my sweet spot. Too light and there is a point of diminishing returns because of the havoc from wind, but on a calm evening, 150class discs can bomb.
And try not to chase distance by buying high speed discs. If you can't get a DX Teebird to 300ft, A Tern is going to cause you more trouble in the long run than the 1 in 10 drive that gets you to 310ft.
For me, there is nothing nicer than watching a disc fly the way it was intended to. And with that, buy an Elite-X Comet. When you can throw that the way it's intended, your disc golf life enjoyment level will soar!
Best of luck and welcome to the game
It's not a deterrent to enjoymet, but you're probably never going to be able to throw a 450ft spike hyzers.
57 now, started when I was 50 and got serious about the game 5 years ago.
I can putt, approach game is sound and my accuracy is spot on inside 250ft.
I lack distance. I average around 320-330ft with the occasional 350+.
Have to know your limitations and work to improve your short game. I play with guys who can bomb, but I often beat them (especially on a wooded course) because I get in very little trouble and have a lot of finesse.
Lots of videos out there to help get your form down. It's a work in progress.
As for discs,Take a read through this thread, it might help. Best thing I ever did for my game was to follow this advice for a few months. It totally changed my game and outlook. Quite the reality check.
https://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32790
As for drivers, try some lighter weights. I have found 160-163gr to be my sweet spot. Too light and there is a point of diminishing returns because of the havoc from wind, but on a calm evening, 150class discs can bomb.
And try not to chase distance by buying high speed discs. If you can't get a DX Teebird to 300ft, A Tern is going to cause you more trouble in the long run than the 1 in 10 drive that gets you to 310ft.
For me, there is nothing nicer than watching a disc fly the way it was intended to. And with that, buy an Elite-X Comet. When you can throw that the way it's intended, your disc golf life enjoyment level will soar!
Best of luck and welcome to the game
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2002P51
Newbie
I started playing at 65, now 71. I play as often as I can, usually 2 - 3 times per week. Sometimes less, all depending on the weather. I can throw 200 - 225 off the tee but I think not being able to reach 300 is more due to my form than my age. When I play one of the more hilly courses in my area I do "feel it" later that night. Not pain just more tired than when I haven't played.
I'm in general good health and attribute a lot of that to disc golf.
As others have said my scores have started to go down more because I've been working harder on approach and putting than trying to drive farther.
Enjoy the game as long as you can whatever your age, it's good for you, and it's fun.
I'm in general good health and attribute a lot of that to disc golf.
As others have said my scores have started to go down more because I've been working harder on approach and putting than trying to drive farther.
Enjoy the game as long as you can whatever your age, it's good for you, and it's fun.
VictorB
* Ace Member *
Yes and no.
It doesn't matter in the sense that disc golf is a lifetime sport. You can play as long as you can walk and throw.
It does matter in the sense that it does for any other sport - age will catch up to you. Eventually some athleticism/flexibility/arm speed/range of motion is lost, or injury gets you, or whatever else. I'm almost 37 now, and have been playing since I was 24. I definitely can't go out and play 54 holes in a day anymore (legs usually get to tired into the 3rd round, and a lot more stiff the next day than I used to get). I also try to throw discs where I can rely a little bit more on their glide to get where I want and I don't have to throw as hard. My head gets in the way sometimes because I don't play to the level I was at in my late 20s. That being said, disc golf is something that I look forward to playing all of the time and don't see that changing for a very, very long time. There are always things to work on and refine, and ways to squeak out more efficiency on the course, little by little. If you enjoy that process, you will have a lifetime of fun to look forward to.
It doesn't matter in the sense that disc golf is a lifetime sport. You can play as long as you can walk and throw.
It does matter in the sense that it does for any other sport - age will catch up to you. Eventually some athleticism/flexibility/arm speed/range of motion is lost, or injury gets you, or whatever else. I'm almost 37 now, and have been playing since I was 24. I definitely can't go out and play 54 holes in a day anymore (legs usually get to tired into the 3rd round, and a lot more stiff the next day than I used to get). I also try to throw discs where I can rely a little bit more on their glide to get where I want and I don't have to throw as hard. My head gets in the way sometimes because I don't play to the level I was at in my late 20s. That being said, disc golf is something that I look forward to playing all of the time and don't see that changing for a very, very long time. There are always things to work on and refine, and ways to squeak out more efficiency on the course, little by little. If you enjoy that process, you will have a lifetime of fun to look forward to.
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Cgkdisc
.:Hall of Fame Member:.
Here's some data on how skill level declines with age for veteran disc golf pros. Presumably this also happens with veteran amateur players. The good news is there's lots of potential still there among new older players to improve their skill level to get close to or exceed these "declining" pro skill levels at any age. Hanging On
