Old age, loss of distance and handicaps!

[delc]

I am 68 years old. I reckon that I have lost 20 yards of driving distance since I was 65 and 50 yards since I was 50, so it's going down almost exponentially. I now stuggle to reach any par-4's that are more than about 360 yards long in regulation. I did get down to handicap 10.2 last year after a couple of exceptionally good/lucky rounds, but now generally struggle to score more than 30 points. My handicap has gone back up to 12.1 in increments of 0.1 per qualifying competition, but it really needs to be about 15. At the current rate of increase this will require another 30 Q comps! I play in about 12 comps per year, so 2.5 years maybe. The USGA Handicapping system would be much fairer on old gents like me, as I could start dropping good scores made a couple of years ago much sooner!

 

[patricks148]

I am 68 years old. I reckon that I have lost 20 yards of driving distance since I was 65 and 50 yards since I was 50, so it's going down almost exponentially. I now stuggle to reach any par-4's that are more than about 360 yards long in regulation. I did get down to handicap 10.2 last year after a couple of exceptionally good/lucky rounds, but now generally struggle to score more than 30 points. My handicap has gone back up to 12.1 in increments of 0.1 per qualifying competition, but it really needs to be about 15. At the current rate of increase this will require another 30 Q comps! I play in about 12 comps per year, so 2.5 years maybe. The USGA Handicapping system would be much fairer on old gents like me, as I could start dropping good scores made a couple of years ago much sooner!

I will say the same to you as was said to my NDN who's 75 and has the same problem.

if you played more comps and showed that your handicap was too low, you could then get it increased on Annual Review.
12 comps isn't enough i would guess.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

Or just not play any comps for a year, let your handicap go inactive and then do 3 cards?

(ps , I may have just made all of the above up)

 

[rosecott]

Or just not play any comps for a year, let your handicap go inactive and then do 3 cards?

(ps , I may have just made all of the above up)

Yes you did. He won't get a new handicap.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

Yes you did. He won't get a new handicap.

what's the score then? How long do you need to be inactive before your handicap is scrapped and you start again?

 

[rosecott]

what's the score then? How long do you need to be inactive before your handicap is scrapped and you start again?

As long as you remain a club member, you are stuck with your handicap whether it's active or inactive. The only way you are going to get a new handicap is by giving up club membership for more than a year, re-join a club, and start all over again.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Everyone is up for annual review. If you are that far away from the mark (consistently) then you would be recommended for an increase of 1 or 2 shots......that's why the system works like this and also the "declining ability of older players" is one of the key factors the committee should be considering. That of course is assuming a) they are doing their job properly and b) your scores are really as low as you say. If operating correctly the system will see your handicap increase by up to maybe three shots or so a year.

 

[Fyldewhite]

As long as you remain a club member, you are stuck with your handicap whether it's active or inactive. The only way you are going to get a new handicap is by giving up club membership for more than a year, re-join a club, and start all over again.

Of course, you would have to disclose your previous playing history which would be taken into account so unlikely to get a major increase this way either. Not suggesting anyone would so this btw!

 

[daymond]

Delc. At 72 I know exactly how you feel and have suffered the exponential lack of distance as you have.

There's still life in us old boys yet though.

 

[rosecott]

but now generally struggle to score more than 30 points.
I play in about 12 comps per year

Even if you play only 12 Qs a year and you don't buffer in any, you will be flagged for a recommendation for increase on Annual Review.

 

[IanG]

You can also put in (up to 10?) supplementary cards in a year to give a more accurate reflection of your current playing standard. Each one will win you 0.1 if you are really under handicapped and count towards your annual review.

 

[pendodave]

Sounds familiar.

My Dad was at 12 a few years ago, and now (at 75) is up to 16. He gets a good drive about 200, but averages a bit less. He still hits the fairway woods quite well, so in the summer he can get up to most par 4s because his is a downland course which allows shots to be run in. He would definitely be higher on a parkland setup where lofted approaches might be needed.

I don't suppose he'll ever get more that the odd buffer till he hangs up the clubs, and this year he's looking forward to his first annual review windfall !

I would imagine he'll play a lot less comps in future and just play fiddles with his mates where they adopt a more 'flexible and responsive' handicapping system...

Mind you, if he would only get a set of clubs commensurate with his swing speed and incorporating some of the technological advances of the last 15 years it might help. :blah:

 

[Foxholer]

Even if you play only 12 Qs a year and you don't buffer in any, you will be flagged for a recommendation for increase on Annual Review.

Not necessarily! And if scoring around 30 points on average, then actually unlikely to be flagged from the formula I've seen. Would need to be averaging around 27, or maybe less points to be flagged off 12.

 

[duncan mackie]

Not necessarily! And if scoring around 30 points on average, then actually unlikely to be flagged from the formula I've seen. Would need to be averaging around 27, or maybe less points to be flagged off 12.

I'm happy to bet on it if you are. ..(as in I agree with R)

 

[Deleted member 15344]

If you can't play to your HC then as already been said you will be flagged during annual review

 

[delc]

If you can't play to your HC then as already been said you will be flagged during annual review

Think I have made buffer once in a comp earlier this year, so probably no Annual review for me this year!

 

[ManinBlack]

I'm 67, but still 21in my head. I reckon, due to improvements in equipment over the years, I've only lost about 20 yards. We've got two 290 yard par 4s on our course & I used to be able to drive both of them occasionally. I can still do it, but not too often nowadays. I'm still highly competitive & this year got back to single figures for the first time since 1982. I think my short game & course management are better now than they've ever been and this is helping compensate for the loss of length. In the next few years I think there's going to be even more emphasis on the short game but I don't think I'll ever stop trying to improve.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Think I have made buffer once in a comp earlier this year, so probably no Annual review for me this year!

One buffet won't stop you being flagged in AR

 

[chrisd]

I'm 62 shortly and off 12. I can barely hit a driver 150 yards, my 7 iron only goes 95 yards and, if our secretary is reading this I really do need at least 5 shots back ........ If he isn't ...... Bugger I'll crack on as I am!

 

[rosecott]

One buffet won't stop you being flagged in AR

Depends. If it's an all-you-can-eat buffet, he might be flagging.