In 1984, just prior to the PGA Championship at Shoal Creek, Lee Trevino complained to his wife that he was too old to compete with the “flat bellies.” Instead of sympathizing, Claudia cleverly appealed to his sense of pride. She gave him precisely the kick in the butt he needed by telling him, “Your clubs don’t know how old you are.” The logic of her remark was not lost on the Merry Mex. Positively reinforced, Trevino went out and won his sixth major championship beating a young Lanny Wadkins to take the title.
The oldest golfer ever to play in a PGA Tour event was Jerry Barber, who was 77 years, 10 months and nine days when he competed in the 1994 Buick Invitational. Barber shot 77-71, finished four over and just missed the cut.
In his book From Hacker to Hero in 12 Months, Dr. Oliff, a top management coach and transformation guru, recounts his incredible journey from a 26-handicapper to scratch in one year. Oliff was 43 years old and self-employed as a management consultant when he started his magical year in January 1998. While he may be the exception to the rule, there are countless examples of golfers peaking late in life. And that simply doesn’t happen in any other sport. Although I have been playing since I was ten, my father only really took up the game after he retired about ten years ago. While I wouldn’t call him an addict, he certainly enjoys the game and all the benefits that go with it. And he tees it up several times a week.
If you’ve never played the game and are now thinking you’re too old to learn, think again. The senior years are very often the very best time to enjoy golf. While you may never make the PGA Tour if you take up the game in your forties, fifties or sixties, with the right instruction and a little practice (okay, a lot of practice) you could become highly proficient, especially if you focus on the short game.
Reprinted with permission from The Joy of Golf: 72 Reasons Why Golf is the Greatest Game Ever!”
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