Retirement and handicap improvement

[S17er]

A way off for me yet but interested to know if anyone has retired and thus had more time for golf and seen a significant HCP improvement even in the face of creaking bones/loss of distance etc.

I'm talking standard occupations retiring at 55+ not footballers etc retiring before 40

 

[Break90]

One of my PP's retired last year aged 55 and has dropped from 14 to 9 with more to come. Plays twice a week and practices twice a week for an hour.

 

[louise_a]

I started playing regularly when I retired (59), I had only played once in a blue moon previously but I knew how to play. My first handicap was 34 and came down massively in the first year then steadily for the next 3 years. Although I did go up last year.

 

[clubchamp98]

A way off for me yet but interested to know if anyone has retired and thus had more time for golf and seen a significant HCP improvement even in the face of creaking bones/loss of distance etc.

I'm talking standard occupations retiring at 55+ not footballers etc retiring before 40

I retired at 56 from my crane driving job been of six for 20 odd years ,lowest I got was 3.6 but although I play and practice a lot I have not reduced my handicap .
i think with age most people will do well to stay off what hcap they are.
after 18 holes and an hour on the practice ground I am knackered.
i think your job has a lot to do with this as your physical condition when you retire is dependant on the job you have been doing.

before anyone says it ! I was not in a cab all day as modern cranes now are remote control so you have to do your own slinging this is the physical part.

 

[chrisd]

I've played a lot more in the last 2 years but have taken part time work, my handicap is about the same but feel I'm starting to reach a new level of competence

 

[Tashyboy]

Retired year last August aged 52. Handicap has come down from 21.6 to 20.4 I have come close a few times to smashing it but ? For whatever reason I haven't. Not had an annual review reduction so deffo another chance to smash it.

 

[wonga]

Started golf when I was made redundant at 64. I an now a golf nut and my handicap has come down!

 

[El Diablo]

Semi retired 31st January last year at 53, achieved my lowest handicap ever and looking forward to senior events when I turn 55 at the end of July.

Key is I play more, and actually practice at the range less and that is I do less destructive smashing balls at the driving range which I was doing when stressed.

Short game has improved a lot due to playing more frequently.

See if I can build on it this year.

 

[stefanovic]

Has to be said. Golf, like everything else in space and time is subject to the law of entropy, which means things can only get worse. You might still have the occasional better than average round, though.
As you get older the hills get steeper, the fairways get longer, the putts get trickier.
I think the oldest guy to win a major was Nicklaus aged 46.
Happy is the golfer who has retired from the game!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Retirement seems an age away despite hitting 50 this year. Most of the seniors at my club who play 2-3 times a week are keeping their handicaps stable but few seem to be making huge downward strides. I would suggest they are happy just playing and no longer hanker after working on their game and trying to get better

 

[El Diablo]

I think the key here is have you ever hit your potential ? I started playing at 35 and had a couple of teaching pro's telling me I can get far lower and not progressed that far probably due to time etc.

Still being young enough (ok fairly old) and focussed on achieving some goals I now believe I can get there and have the time to work towards it.

No one should give up on any dream due to age, they may have to amend it slightly but if you have the drive you can still achieve things. I know someone who hits 70 this year, never been lower than 11 handicap pre retirement at 65 but has now been down to 8 - he goes to the gym regularly now and is fulfilling the golfing potential that was always there.

Go for it - plain and simple.

I also need to be able to give my teenager a run for his money occasionally and he has managed some positive comments through gritted teeth this past 6 months about the change in my golf though plenty more insults !