How old is too old?

TheMilkyPirate

I only started playing golf regularly (1-2 times a week april to september) last year, I'm 21 and was just wondering would i be too old to work my way down to a low handicap say 5 or under, Or do you have to start in your early teens. If your not very good when you start off is it possible to get a lot better at my age?

I'll probably get laughed at now by older folks telling me i'm still only a pup but i honestly don't know and it's a genuine question!

soundsham

Why settle for 5
Didn't pick up a club till 26 joined club two years later got down to 6 without too much work,played a lot some years and inter club too
then played little others due to work, injury etc

So if your sporty it may help and if you apply yourself to a good coach and play regularly anything is possible

Should note all this took 7 years with probably only 2 with little golf

Nonoperational

If you have a bit of natural ability then not at all. At 21 you have 30 years + of (almost) golfing prime ahead of you!

k.p.h

This guy is worth a look definatly possible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-yFbwXvHA&feature=player_embedded

TheMilkyPirate

What that guy did is amazing, But tbh i wouldn't have the time for something like that i have a child and a fiancee that need a lot of time too! :pac:

I'd like to think i have a small bit of natural ability, I've only played about 20-30 rounds of golf in my life (i dont play 1-2 times every week!) and i've shot 70 on a par 57 course which isn't great but it's ok.

Some nice and inspiring comments here, Good to know that i could be playing off a low handicap if i keep at it and put my mind to it. Looking to join a club maybe this year but more than likely next year too which should help, May look into getting some lessons too.

the lawman

I started playing golf last year and I'm just over 30. I'll get my first GUI this summer and I aim to start at 16/17. I know if I keep it up regular I'll get to 10 and hopefully much lower.

My one regret is not starting at your age as I would have an even better chance of getting down into single digits!

You have buckets of time so enjoy and good luck with your game and pursuit of 5!

Webbs

Not sure if this is exactly the same but played a fair bit as a teenager but only got h'cap down to mid teens. then only took it up again 20 years later (in my late 30s). Started with h'cap of 17 now down to 7. So nope I dont think your too old at all!

Martin567

baraca wrote: »

I only started playing golf regularly (1-2 times a week april to september) last year, I'm 21 and was just wondering would i be too old to work my way down to a low handicap say 5 or under, Or do you have to start in your early teens. If your not very good when you start off is it possible to get a lot better at my age?

I'll probably get laughed at now by older folks telling me i'm still only a pup but i honestly don't know and it's a genuine question!

Larry Nelson played golf for the first time at the age of 21. By 27 he was on the PGA Tour and he won the first of his three Majors at 33. In total he won 10 times on the PGA Tour and also played on 3 Ryder Cup teams with one of the best ever winning records.

You probably won't be the next Larry Nelson but 21 is certainly not too old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Nelson

BoardsMember

I'm a bit similar to Webbs comment, played a little when in teens - I was a reluctant golfer, parents were a bit keener than I was. Much to the chagrin of my wife, I started to get into it in mid twenties, went from 17 to 12 fairly quickly, now off 9. Go for it!

derra

Bit like BoardsMember and Webbs above, played some in my teens and stopped till May last year and joined a club playing off 22, down to 12 now and am 34.
The old man is 72 playing off 22.
Never too young or old to start !
21 you are, you would think your at heavens gate

Some ways i wish i had of stuck at it but am enjoying the golf now and the challenge in getting down and playing different courses.

stockdam

Calvin Peete didn't start playing until his mid 20s. He also had a crooked arm due to a break that wasn't set.

Yes it is hard to take up golf when you are older but it's not impossible to play to a very high level.

alxmorgan

A lot of guys on here who have dropped a lot of shots so my question to you is - what were your eureka moments if there were any ?

I know its a whole lot of short game practice to start moving downwards but do you have any moments when you just "got" something that helped you kick on ?

Webbs

alxmorgan wrote: »

A lot of guys on here who have dropped a lot of shots so my question to you is - what were your eureka moments if there were any ?

I know its a whole lot of short game practice to start moving downwards but do you have any moments when you just "got" something that helped you kick on ?

Two things spring to mind, firstly is short game related and was realising that you didnt have to stick the short-sided chip shot over a bunker onto a downhill green to within 2 feet but instead play the safe option and take the 2 putt (instead of the usual fluff into the bunker!).

I guess the second thing relates to the first in that the nearest to a eureka moment was 'getting it' as far as course management was concerned, so that for e.g if you missed the green you did so on the right side or that a bad shot resulted in a bogey rather than a 6 or 7.

pinseeker

Hi Baraca
21 is still young,plenty young enough to get down to low single figures.With a bit of natural talent you will improve rapidly if play regulary.
Just over year ago i joined first club and was given 16,now playing off 3.9 and coming down still.I did play sporadically for year or two before joining club last year.
I was 29 when put first comp card in my hand.
So you are still young yet ya pup so enjoy it and dont put to much pressure on youself handicap wise.

sweetswing

Start playing golf at 35, handicap is now 7 , six or so years later.
Best advice I can offer is " if your out of position, take your medicine " and practice your putting.

upthe19th

sweetswing wrote: »

Start playing golf at 35, handicap is now 7 , six or so years later.
Best advice I can offer is " if your out of position, take your medicine " and practice your putting.

sound advice there. play the percentages and build up the confidence and practice the short game and putting. whether its 4 foot or 200 yards its still a shot.

definitely not too old. took it up about 28 or so. down to 11 now. hoping single figures by the end of the year.

Don't pressure yourself and most importantly enjoy.

mr.mickels

baraca wrote: »

I'm 21 and was just wondering would i be too old to work my way down to a low handicap say 5 or under, Or do you have to start in your early teens. If your not very good when you start off is it possible to get a lot better at my age?

I think Rocca was over 30 before he started playing, and he came within a whisker of winning the British Open, and beat Tiger in the singles of the 1997 Ryder Cup. Tom Lehman was quite old too I think before he played. And there was a guy who became a millionaire on the over 50's tour in USA back in the 1990's, I think his name was Warburg, was never a pro before he turned 50!!!

I think Woosnam was a very average player by Pro Tour standards when he did turn pro, a struggling 4 handicapper as far as I remember, when he tried his luck on the Tour those who knew him were laughing at him, fairly quickly he transformed into one of the best ever European Golfers.

At 21, your age is certainly not any kind of limit on how good you can be.