Tougher game as we age

3

3RAILKICK

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
This happening to anyone else?


I can't keep up with these sharpshooting youngsters.

I can't see edges. My neck hurts. My back hurts. My knees hurt. Attempting jump shots-my shoulder hurts and my ribcage cramps up.

Today, I bloodied my knuckles while attempting a SVB-esque 9ball break. After that, I kind of lost the feel of the cue, since I wrapped the wrap in several layers of removable paper towels.

I did manage to jump over a full ball about two diamonds away, made the hanger, but the cb flew off the table, and the waitress said that I wouldn't have to pay for the 4 mugs that I broke.

Although I lost early in today's tournament-I had fun.

Because I don't play very well these days(never did)-I have adopted the 'multiple possibilities' approach to shotmaking.

Today was a highwater mark for this method. I sh1t in 4 shots in a row. and actually won the game. My opponent agreed that this might be a world record-it certainly is my all time best.

I have always played badly. Now it hurts to play this badly.

Lathering up with Ben Gay before playing pool -just doesn't seem right-but then, I've smelled worse odors in some establishments.

I still enjoy the game, I just can't play it as long as I used to.
 
:frown:

The toughest thing for me is-----my eyes are not good and wearing glasses seems to be a disability.

And the hard to reach shots when I could get half way on the table and stretch, it just doesn't work anymore.
 
3RAILKICK said:
This happening to anyone else?


I can't keep up with these sharpshooting youngsters.

I can't see edges. My neck hurts. My back hurts. My knees hurt. Attempting jump shots-my shoulder hurts and my ribcage cramps up.

Today, I bloodied my knuckles while attempting a SVB-esque 9ball break. After that, I kind of lost the feel of the cue, since I wrapped the wrap in several layers of removable paper towels.

I did manage to jump over a full ball about two diamonds away, made the hanger, but the cb flew off the table, and the waitress said that I wouldn't have to pay for the 4 mugs that I broke.

Although I lost early in today's tournament-I had fun.

Because I don't play very well these days(never did)-I have adopted the 'multiple possibilities' approach to shotmaking.

Today was a highwater mark for this method. I sh1t in 4 shots in a row. and actually won the game. My opponent agreed that this might be a world record-it certainly is my all time best.

I have always played badly. Now it hurts to play this badly.

Lathering up with Ben Gay before playing pool -just doesn't seem right-but then, I've smelled worse odors in some establishments.

I still enjoy the game, I just can't play it as long as I used to.
Click to expand...

3Rail,
Try walking a 1/2 mile a day until you can get up to a mile. Drink plenty of orange juice and Grape juice. Do about 10 sit ups a day. That will help you out. Drink plenty of water too.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
My 60 year span in pool went like this. At around 50 yo what I lost at the table from age and health issues was made up for by experince. At the end at 71 yo I could still shoot at the same skill level for a short set of 9 or 10-ball but I was paying for it for 3 days to a week later. I hung up my cue in late June. Yes I miss it dearly. Johnnyt
 
I think pool is just like many other things in life. Our brain tells us we can do it, then when we try, we find it isn't the same as when we were 20 years old. The game has gotten tougher for sure due to reflexes, vision, and stamina, but I still enjoy the hell out of playing.
 
Lock,

Good advise, however the only thing I would change is to eat oranges and grapes and other fruits. Stay away from juice, too much processed sugar in it.

Lock N Load said:
3Rail,
Try walking a 1/2 mile a day until you can get up to a mile. Drink plenty of orange juice and Grape juice. Do about 10 sit ups a day. That will help you out. Drink plenty of water too.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
Click to expand...
 
what timing for this post. after playing on and off for 45 yrs and being an A+ player at one time, it is difficult, at times, to enjoy the game. i have slipped to a B player on my "good days". my sight is okay but the edges of the ball at distances takes it's toll on shotmaking. (don't tell the opposition). i am having to learn more about safety play as i can't make all those difficult shots anymore. as far as physical, just yesterday after 3 hours of practice, the arthritis pain in my feet was almost too much to bear. (red wine really helps here) i can't play more than 4 or 5 hours and then i just start shutting down so the nights with league are limited. forget playing in a tournament lasting all afternoon and night! :eek: i am watching more and more live streaming of matches (thank you inside pool for those great hd streams). however, it is all about the love of the game and the memories we have of kicking ass from time to time in the old "good ole" days, right? but no matter, i will continue to persevere as best i can. :thumbup:
 
There are several guys in J.o.b's in nashville that are 70+ and shoot the lights out. One practically lives there and has a place within walking distance. He plays hours on end but he has been doing it for years and years. I hear tale of a guy named sam that is 81 and with a younger stronger breaker can take down pros for the cash.
 
Older, but wiser...

Just turned 61 and believe I am playing the best pool of my life. I think part of the reason is I'm finally getting smarter and controlling the mental aspects of the game. When I'm matched up against a young gun who I see firing balls in and flinging the cue ball 4 rails for position, I think my chances are pretty good. Increased age and experience also brings reason and control to my game. Some things you can only acquire by aging.
 
THE GOLDEN YEARS HAVE COME AT LAST,

I CANNOT SEE, I CANNOT PEE

I CANNOT CHEW, I CANNOT SCREW

MY MEMORY SHRINKS, MY HEARING STINKS,

NO SENSE OF SMELL, I LOOK LIKE HELL,

MY BODY'S DROOPING, GOT TROUBLE POOPING.

THE GOLDEN YEARS HAVE COME AT LAST,

THE GOLDEN YEARS CAN KISS MY ASS

RACK'M let's play some pool:killingme::killingme::killingme:
 
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Lock N Load said:
3Rail,
Try walking a 1/2 mile a day until you can get up to a mile. Drink plenty of orange juice and Grape juice. Do about 10 sit ups a day. That will help you out. Drink plenty of water too.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
Click to expand...
Or, you could go and play at Buffalo Billiards with Lock. Apparently it has a EUPHORIC effect on older shooters. After all...it is the worlds pool hall ya know. :thumbup:
 
Getting old gets old...

Johnnyt said:
My 60 year span in pool went like this. At around 50 yo what I lost at the table from age and health issues was made up for by experince. At the end at 71 yo I could still shoot at the same skill level for a short set of 9 or 10-ball but I was paying for it for 3 days to a week later. I hung up my cue in late June. Yes I miss it dearly. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

I always enjoy your posts, though this one made me a little sad.

Where are you in Florida? I'd love to sit down with you and share stories (we're about the same age) and maybe even hit a few balls.

My physical skills (in most sports) peaked in my forties. My best years on the felt were age 47-52. As health problems appeared and my eyesight waned, my game suffered, but my KNOWLEDGE of the game continues to expand, so I can still play a little. I get more pleasure out of teaching now than playing.

Oh, by the way, I had a teaching session two weeks ago with two guys older than I, - one was 86 and the other 95!! We had a great time, and they inspired me! They called me "kid"!

Donny L
PBIA/AVS Instructor
 
VillageSlim said:
Just turned 61 and believe I am playing the best pool of my life. I think part of the reason is I'm finally getting smarter and controlling the mental aspects of the game. When I'm matched up against a young gun who I see firing balls in and flinging the cue ball 4 rails for position, I think my chances are pretty good. Increased age and experience also brings reason and control to my game. Some things you can only acquire by aging.
Click to expand...

Me too. The biggest thing I have going for me at 65 is I still can see very well.I can't read a newspaper with out glasses but I can still see the edge of the ball from the length of the table. I do run out of gas after 3 hours or so and when I am really playing well it gets boring.
 
Yep. All of the above. I eat Aleve like it was candy.
What bothers me most though is looking across the pool room and seeing a young lady and saying to myself, "Man, is she ever hot." Later, however, when I see her up close, I'm reminded of my neice Sarasota.
Sarasota, by-the-way, happens to be single, so for any of you eligible young bachelors out there who are interested, pm me. :smile:
 
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I did not realize how many AZers are of the 'mature' variety. I'm well on my way to joining the group or I'm already a rookie in the group. I just hope none of us 'mature' players ever totally give up the game. We should all keep playing & pass on what we can IF we can just find the right type of people to help out. Best Wishes & Good Health to all of the 'mature' members of AZ.

PS Good health & best wishes to ALL of AZ & the Billiard World. Oh yeah, the rest of the world also.
 
Age old ?

As we age we need to work harder. There are a lot of great athletes who get in incredible shape to compete at the later stages of their careers.
Take tennis on average the players career was winding down in their late 20s about a decade ago. Now players are competing into their 30s,.
diet, physical training, the mental aspect, etc:
as for me who took an absence from the game for 35 years it had to be 1 step at a time back to the table.
I had to evaluate what my game was like and what needed work.
First the aim long straight shots 100 every time at the table and other aiming drills for months still at it. Slowly incorporating other drills for cue ball control etc: I don't have a magic wand, with the web and books and instructors everyone knows great drills and practice routines. I guess what I am trying to say we older players may not be what we once were and long for those good old days but in the future these will be the good old days.
so make the best of it and enjoy your time at the Table it's a great game.
MCP
 
Old Age Problems

I'm 67 now and my game is at an all time low and getting worse by the day. I lived in the City my whold=e life and let my wife talk me into moving an hour away, I haven't done anything but donate gambling since, a huge mistake. As for stanima, I used to be able to play 4 days straight, now a 18 hour set almost killed me six months ago, pain was awful, but I got even after being 8,000 loser, so I guess it was worth it. Now the gentlemen won't play the same game even though I was never up a single game the entire 18 hrs. I guess I have to call it quits, but I'll really miss it !
 
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