Why is it?

Dave3498

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I think we all agree that physical strength only plays a small part in this wonderful game of ours, and that it's timing and technique that count mostly. Why is it then that top golfers go off their game when they get older? Why are we so astonished when Jack Nicklaus wins the open at 46 years, and Arnie shoots his age? Is it their short game? Their putting? Their nerves? Or don't they care anymore? I'd really like to know.
 

MVP

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fatigue of the bdy and mind, Muscles dont move like they did, Uncle arthur itus, Brain gets a bit slower, Grand kids, Plus they need time to spent the money they been earning. some of them dont see it as a challenge anymore so they go fishing!
 

theeaglehunter

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flexibility is most probably the main factor. As they get older and their joints become less supple, it will be harder for them to rotate fully meaning that considerable distance is lost to when they were at their prime. And also I should think it would become more painful to play, so many people either struggle their way round or simply don't play. Also I doubt they would ever loose their short game ability though.

But this is only a young mans guess, so could be way off the mark.
 

RGuk

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Good q? dave.

I think it is fair to say that as we age our muscles don't work as efficiently as before and the links to the brain deteriorate, and that improvements in brain power/understanding/experience can't override the gradual loss of control that all "accuracy" disciplines demand. Look at musicians/dancers/acrobats/snooker/et al. and you'll see that the downward trend is inevitable.

Many an old golfer "knows" how to play the shot and has the necessary strength to pull it off, but the body won't respond as well as when young. Sometimes it can only be a few percentage drop, but this will show over time, sadly.
Also, success demands practice and practice takes longer as the body takes longer to learn.

That's my theory.
 

RGuk

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Pitch Nick Faldo in with Tiger Woods, both Champions in their own right.

Who do you think would win?

Very true....but I'm not sure Faldo would have beaten TW more often than the other way round. Faldo was a par monster, TW a birdie machine!!!
 

Basher

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I agree Dave.

Put it this way. How does the Nick Faldo of today compare to when he was up there winning them.

I wonder how long before Tigers game peaks, he's still a young man so imagine we can still expect several more years from him
 

GB72

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It is strange how age affects sports that you would not necessarily think it would. Take snooker for example. Little benefit from being physically fitter but even the greatest of plays (Davis, Hendry etc) fade away with time. I think that when you are the best you are mentally and physically tuned to perfection and thus even the slightest decrease in capacity, be it mental or physical, sends you back into the ranks of the ordinary.
 

RGuk

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I think Tiger is close to golf nirvana. Recently I have watched him and just cannot believe he's still eeking out small improvements. His days are numbered though.....


to at least 10 years if he wants!!!
 

HTL

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Interesting fact time folks, our body's all peak between the age of 6-8 for sight, hearing + taste.

With regard to Sport and exercise, its a very difficult thing to explain without me bumbling on for a few hours. But to summarise its to do with an athletes joints, tendons, ligament, muscle fibres, vision + nearly all the things vital to be a successful sportsman deteriorating over time.
 

mikest

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Well obviously the likes of tiger and co are competing at the highest level week in week out and the old guys arent, it would be interesting to see faldo's game and stats if he had a season on the PGA tour (I know it will never happen) as he would be used to the extra length in todays game. Its interesting to see all those older "feel" players struggle on todays modern championship courses, with technology enabling athletes to rip courses to bits, they have to bite back and show their teeth, extra bunkers but mostly length have been added. Playing at the highest level consistantly faldo could compete around the greens but probably not from the tee but he could probably adapt his game if he were in his prime unlike now.

my opinion on tiger is he is unbelievably brilliant, he is uncomparable to anyone in my lifetime and is probably going to be the most complete succesful golfer of all time, but i suppose records are there to be beaten.

I played Wynyard golf club a couple of years ago 2 days after the seve trophy was there and couldnt believe how far back the white tee's where! the greens were lightening but fair but I really think the likes of Faldo and co struggle with the distances. At the open in 2006 where he played with tiger he was hitting 5 iron into greens where tiger was hitting wedge, thats unreal.
 

toonarmy

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It's just the same as an elastic band. You can have a really good strong one, but after years of use it stops being as tight and good as a band anymore.

Same thing with people. The golf swing is all about creating torsion. As the 'band' gets weaker, the torsion reduces, hence the lack of distance. Then throw in the degradation of hand-eye co-ordination over time and reducing fitness levels and it's no wonder they go gentle into that golfing night. Look at the most obvious exception Gary Player - utterly obsessed with physical fitness and has maintained a high standard for a long time. Also, Greg Norman continues to perform well thanks largely to his excellent physical conditioning.

So people, you want to play well into old age? Lay off the pie, the booze and do stacks of exercise. Or enjoy life and sacrifice a couple of shots a round!
 

Boabski

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natural body fatigue with body getting older, the body slowing down, muscles getting tighter, mother nature doing here job in my opinion
 

Leftie

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Interesting fact time folks, our body's all peak between the age of 6-8 for sight, hearing .

Look forward to peaking in the next few years then.

What dear? Speak up. 6-8? I thought it said 60-80....

Horlicks tonight please nursey.
 

viscount17

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I'm heading for the big 6 0 next birthday (and that's the one and only time I will admit that). I've only just started playing - so for ....... .. don't write me off yet!
 

Dave3498

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Interesting replies. Glad to have stirred-up a discussion about this, but I don't think it's all down to musclular deterioration. The point about practise, made by RGUK, is I believe the key to this. Older people who have already enjoyed much success, are not prepared to put in the hours of practise necessary to compete at the contemporary level, and they also have other demands on their time.
 
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