This is for the old guys....

I never really played the game with any regularity until I was 54 (64 now) and the last of my kids was off to college. Before that I was lucky to play twice a year (but I did a good job raising my kids). So I guess pool is still a little exciting to me. My game is much, much better than when I was younger. However, I think just the mere fact of age puts a little damper on your excitement about competition of any sort. For instance I used to be a huge Celtic fan staying up nights as a kid listening to Johnny Most broadcasting on the radio before basketball was big enough to get tv time. Now I couldn't give 2 turds about the Celtics or any other professional sports team, it is just a realization that it isn't really very important in the grand view of things. The same with pool, I really enjoy it and want to continue to get better, but ...
I think the lose of performance over the years for somebody who played well and often in their younger years is due more to boredom than anything else. Yeah eyesight goes a bit, subtle muscle control goes to some extent, a lot of physical things decline, but they aren't nearly as critical in pool as in other sports. We just lose our enthusiasm and want to just cruise for a while, we've spent a long time busting our hump and want so R&R.
JMHO which probably is not worth a whole lot.
 
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JoeW said:
It seems to me that when you hit your late 50s life takes a turn and many of the things that were important like climbing the success ladder, money, women and similar accomplishments no longer have the appeal they once did because you have what you have done and see little challenge in what is left of your life.
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Truer words have never been spoken!!!

Maniac
 
atthecat said:
There's always shuffleboard fellas. :smile:
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I used to be pretty good on the long board and I've seen guys with a stroke and touch in shuffle board that would match any in pool. They should put up a board or two at pool tourneys and watch the players come out of the wood work.
 
catscradle said:
I never really played the game with any regularity until I was 54 (64 now) and the last of my kids was off to college. Before that I was lucky to play twice a year (but I did a good job raising my kids). So I guess pool is still a little exciting to me. My game is much, much better than when I was younger. However, I think just the mere fact of age puts a little damper on your excitement about competition of any sort. For instance I used to be a huge Celtic fan staying up nights as a kid listening to Johnny Most broadcasting on the radio before basketball was big enough to get tv time. Now I couldn't give 2 turds about the Celtics or any other professional sports team, it is just a realization that it isn't really very important in the grand view of things. The same with pool, I really enjoy it and want to continue to get better, but ...
I think the lose of performance over the years for somebody who played well and often in their younger years is due more to boredom than anything else. Yeah eyesight goes a bit, subtle muscle control goes to some extent, a lot of physical things decline, but they aren't nearly as critical in pool as in other sports. We just lose our enthusiasm and want to just cruise for a while, we've spent a long time busting our hump and want so R&R.
JMHO which probably is worth a whole lot.
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I too used to be a HUGE professional sports fan. Now, I don't give a flying flip about pro sports as far as being an avid fan goes. I only have a casual interest in it (JoeW's post above explains why we get to feeling this way). Too much money going out to too many egotists and prima donnas. I can enjoy watching a good High School game just as much as a pro game, and for a helluva lot less money AND hassle.

FWIW (to add to my previous post), I believe, at least for now, that I will have an active interest in pool for many years to come.

Maniac
 
One of the reasons I quit golf and focused mainly on pool was I figured I could play pool until I dropped, whereas golf required good weather, good health, etc.

Aging sucks. But that suckiness can be used for movtivation and that's what I try to do. As each aging thingy pops up, I now have a new problem to overcome. That constant stream of problems keeps me working on different aspects of my pool game. It is almost like it was when I was first learning how to play...each day provided something new to learn.

Now if my goal was to be the world's best, I'd be bummed 24/7. But my goal is, and always has been, to improve from where I was with what I have, not be the best of the lot. I want to be the best I can be at the moment. That goal will take me all the way through my final shot.

If I'm shooting you and I collapse on the table, don't call for help....I've died happy.

Jeff Livingston
 
I am just coming back from a bad auto accident, the drunk almost mashed my leg off, but thanks to modern medicine I'm up & hobbling around. I'm 68 & just started playing again about 10 years ago, after quitting for 25 years.

I made my way through College playing Snooker. In the 70s, 9-Ball became the game & the hustler pukes were under every rock.. I quit playing after I went to work for BOEING, I was a Dad & BOEING owned my body for 60 hours a week.

In 1999, after retiring, I started playing some & won a few local tournaments, in 2001 a friend & I won a State Tournament. In 2002, I developed the BreakRAK, in 2005 I wrote the GREAT Break Shot.

I can still play & I know how to play, but the eyes & the nerves are waning. The main reason, as I see it, no longer having the high level "killer" attitude makes the difference. Now I shrug off a loss & say tomorrow is my turn, & tomorrow is still coming around.

The game of Pool & the people I've come across in playing the game has been a real pleasure. There's always a few jerks, but even they have lessons to give..

Good Luck to all who play this great game...
 
About me, I retired at 62 from UPS. I was a driver for 28 years. Boy do I have some stories. Oh well pool started at around 16 now at 66 I love the game so much more. I have through the years bought an sold 5 slate pool tables. From 9 ft. gold crowns to 8ft. steepletons. I like a lot of you have peaks an valleys, totally put the cue down for years. Then for some reason start all over again. At one time I was told that I was a B player when I was about 35, I could run a few racks back then. Now on a good day I fell like I am a good C. To state from JoeW. stamina can be a factor. Found through the years that pool is a very jealous mistress. You must spend a hell of a lot of time with her. Oh as far as beating the young players for some reason they don"t play me. I guess they don"t like being around this old fart. Skip :wink:
 
I never played when I was working. My pool "career" is playing snooker as a kid in a small town which only had snooker tables, then not playing for 40 years, then buying a table when I retired.

Therefore I play better now than I ever have and I enjoy it. It is a nice relaxing way to pass time.
 
doitforthegame said:
When I say old, I mean those of us that have realized that we can start drawing social security in less than 10 years. As you move into the late fall early winter of your life, what happens to you when you play the game you love? How to you approach the game? Do you still feel "it" when you play? Do you enjoy and even cherish beating a young guy? How is your game now compared with, say, 20 years ago? (I'm almost 60. When I was 40 I felt I was playing my best) Why does someones game deteriorate as they age? Is it mental? Physical? Eyesight? Or just life? When did you start playing? How much do you play now as opposed to in the past? And anything else that you think would be helpful.

I am working on a new book, and would very much appreciate your insight.

thanks
Bob Campbell
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I just turned 57 and still love the game I started playing in grade school, though now I realize much more clearly how crushingly difficult the game is to master. Way back when, I thought I was pretty good. My present day self could now probably spot my old self the five ball, or maybe 60 going to 100.

What has been disappointing to me is how, at least here in the Midwest, the boats have stolen all the players away from the game. There was a time, pre-boats, when I had a standing game from $25 to $300 with almost anyone of a dozen players that might walk through the pool room door. All you had to say was, "Get the balls." Now, it is a rare week, or sometimes month, when a friendly pass-time game comes in.

Physically, there's no problem. I've been lucky thataway. The eyes aren't quite as sharp, but my optometrist has worked with me the last 10 years or so and corrects my eyesight for the two-10 foot range, so I can actually still see the balls pretty good. Of course I need a seeing eye dog for everything else while wearing my pool contacts. If anything has waned it is my ability to concentrate for long periods of time. I used to be good for almost as long as my legs would carry me. A six-hour practice session was nothing. Now, maybe two to three hours is plenty and I have a rule that the second I can no longer give full focus and concentration to my practice session, I quit for the day.

Perhaps one of the things I'm proudest of is that I always forced myself to do things, like get into events I had absolutely no business going to, like the US Open One Pocket Tournaments, after only having played 1pocket for a few years. And so I helped my game along, made new friends all across the country, and collected a number of war stories playing guys like Efren Reyes, Buddy Hall, Cliff Joyner, Scott Frost, Larry Nevel, Dallas West, Francisco Bustamonte, Ike Runnels, Piggy Banks, Mark Jarvis, and Mark Wilson. I even won several of them matches:-)

Certainly now, the best part of the game is playing it well. I can see differences in my skill level, and that of others, more distinctly later in life. It's perhaps like developing a palate for good food, fine wine, or a great cigar. And on those days when the balls are dropping one after another, and the cue ball is being obedient, it's wonderful times and days to be savored.

Lou Figueroa
 
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I over 60. I feel that I play better than when I was younger but it all depends on your base. Not so good when I was younger so anything is an improvement. I have never accepted or signed a contract of letting age affect anything. Most of the time I don't think of my age until it is my birthday.
I am currently doing the P90X program with my wife. I have always tried to be in and lead a healthy life style. It has paid off for me as I am in great health and condition.

To me pool is still a challenge and always will be. It is a great way to exercise the mind, develop hand eye coordination, and a great hobby.

I am also enjoying more now that smoking is banned in all public rooms in our state. When smoking was allowed I would tend to stay away as the smoke really affected me.
 
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I played for the first time at age 5 and fell in love with the game from the start. I'm 53 although I didn't really play seriously until about 10 or 12 years ago.

Finally got a pool table of my own about 4 years ago and it's made all the difference in my game. Having time and place to practice really makes a difference. As a result, I'm playing better than I ever have and finished in the money in the state 9 ball championships this year and 9 ball is probably my worst game.

Do I enjoy beating people? Yes, although some more than others. What I really enjoy is playing the best I can - getting out a really difficult rack, solving a safety that looks like I'm in jail; these are the things that really get my heart pumping. I don't like winning just because I didn't play as bad as the other guy.

I'll play the game and compete until I can no longer stand and I expect that's at least another 30 years or so. It's a game that keeps your mind fresh and there's always something to learn. That's the best!

By the way, I liked your book! I read it about 2 years ago. Well done!

Brian in VA
 
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I'm 66. Never was any great shakes as a player. Entered bar tourneys when I was younger, sometimes in the money, mostly not.

Then marriage, running a biz & Raising a child took over. The cue stayed in the closet for over 30 years.

Now, just a recreational banger...really. Enjoy the game for what it is...a fun game.

Others have touched on it earlier...but after retirement, I just don't feel the need to "prove myself" as I used to. The competitive "killer" urge just isn't there. Why should it be? After all, that urge wasn't really fun, wasn't anything to be proud of...it just was. Now that I'm financially secure (not to be confused with rich) I just tend to do things for the enjoyment they provide.

I honestly think if the "killer urge" returned, pool would cease being fun for me, and I'd quit.
 
I started playing in 1962..loved the game from the start..always

played for something though..hell..i didnt even play marbles for

fun..at pool it was at least a ten cents..i just whipped a young

man tuesday before the tourny..good young player..i loved it..

best advice here..is the eyes..i had lens replacements in both

eyes in 2008..at a cost of 3800 bucks a eye a little pricey..but..

i really only need reading glasses and they last 3 life times..had

a set of billiard glasses made when i came back playing this year..

WOW..its like my eyes are 12 again..bought a pool glove that i would

not play without now..a proflex wrist support for my weak wrist that

i had a problem in it flinching..learned my old stroke was the way to

go..after a lot of trail..just shorting my bridge for easy shots and lengthen

it for the power..i am playing better now than i did when i was young

and winning the cheeze in the bars..these 3 things..sure i still have pains

sometimes and 4-5 hours i play at a time..but now i play 3 times a week

and play very consistent..still..have to have a bet..thats the only way

you get a persons best game..cause when i win or they do..they know

the best you both have came with that game..SA
 
My trouble seems to be lack of focus, too much on the mind etc.
a couple days ago playing straight pool I couldn't run 10 balls and I was thinking "I am not even close to being as good as I used to be"
then I came up with an idea:

When my computer screws up I can fix it using system restore. It allows you to set things back to a date when thing were working fine.

I thought back to a time when I was playing playing some of my best pool and tried to put myself into the same mindset. It took about 20 minutes or so but I managed to run a 72. my high run is only 87 so this was just about as good as it gets for me. then I backed it up with a 64 the next day.
amazing

steven
not close enough to retirement
 
Bob,

I still play the game at a pretty high level and I'm 60 years old.

The only problems, I have, come the day after and the day after that when I go out and play in an event. I'm not as resiliant as I used to be. My bounce back time is a lot longer.
 
I'm 65. Like a lot of guys on here, I had a break in my game for like 30 years.

Played a lot in college and just after. Played pretty well, I guess.

Interesting; When I picked up a stick again about 10 years ago, I sought out a professional instructor. Never took lessons the first time around. Learned all of my bad habits for myself!

There is no substitute for lessons from a professional (BCA) instructor. Straighened out my fundamentals. Learned about defensive play. I play better now than ever before in my life.

Oh ya; I'm mature enough now to realize that it is just a game, and win, lose, or draw I WILL have a good time everytime I play!
 
Down Time !

tom mcgonagle said:
Bob,

I still play the game at a pretty high level and I'm 60 years old.

The only problems, I have, come the day after and the day after that when I go out and play in an event. I'm not as resiliant as I used to be. My bounce back time is a lot longer.
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Tom I can related to "down time" between a long match or tournament, my legs and back ache like the dickens!, for three or four days afterwards, no more marathon matches for me, although I really relished them when I could bounce back after only a day's rest, not that way for me anymore.

I'm only 51, I've always played a high speed of pool, but when I was 40 I hurt my back and had to have surgery, I kept playing until I was 44, but had to quit because I couldn't bend over to rack the balls.

I recently started playing again back in February after a 7 yr. lay off, partly because of being a member of AZB, reading all about the game I so dearly love and watching the streaming matches got me motivated to play again.

I can only play for a short while now, 4 -8 hrs. tops, my back has improved somewhat, but my game is still there I guess, I ran 6 consective rack's of 8-ball in a tournament about a month ago, but just can't stay long because of my back pain, that really sux, becacuse I still want to play, guess it's in my blood and always will.

I do try and show the younger guy's shot's and anything else that they are willing to learn, that gives me much joy!

Hopefully I will be able to contine playing this game of pool until I die.


David Harcrow
 
I've gotten older just reading this thread. I like most others played when i was a kid,mostly to get out of the cold weather.Then didn't pick up a cue except for once in a blue moon for about 30 years. When my health started to go and i didn't have the energy to get out,i bought a table and started playing. Now i am 59 and better then when i was young but the stamina the eyes the back just are not there. So i play for fun and i don't care who i am playing against. It doesn't matter who wins because you really are playing for yourself to see how good you can be. That's my take on it..
 
bobroberts said:
I've gotten older just reading this thread...So i play for fun and i don't care who i am playing against. It doesn't matter who wins because you really are playing for yourself to see how good you can be. That's my take on it..
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So...you do it for the game eh?
 
JoeyA said:
Bob,
It is not the same for all people. As we age, some of us are afflicted by different things at different times and at different quantities.

My passion for playing pool has never diminished. I've had my ups and downs like most players. Drive, passion, call it what you will; if you don't have it, you don't have it. If you've got it, it's all you need.

But I have hit three score and while I have a few aches and pains, I play with the young guys and give them a run for their money. At my age, I have more than they do so I can afford to play, just for the love of the game. I enjoy teaching the newer players who have a genuine passion for the game and spend a good deal of my practice time with them. This teaching helps me with my own game and it is stronger than ever.

Just yesterday, I beat a small field of locals giving up weight in a handicapped one pocket tournament. It was difficult but I've always relished a challenge and live for the next tournament.

The top players often feel a compassion for me and teach me some of their "secrets" and I respect them for what they are willing to share with me. I continue to learn, practice and play, maybe more now, than ever.
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Joey, you are unusual in that you have maintained your passion for the game. I admire that about you. I still love the game of pool and the challenge to play well, but I have lost my dedication for practice and it is no longer a priority with me.

I started in pool rather late at age 18, while a freshman at Oklahoma U. I became obsessed with the game for the next fifteen years of my life, playing almost daily (always for $$$), with rarely a day off. When I sold my first poolroom (when I was 33), I actually quit playing for nearly four years, my longest layoff. I got back into pool in 1981 and have stayed involved since. Not so much as a player but in other capacities. Playing for money was not nearly so important anymore, although I never turned down a money game if someone "hustled" me to play. I made some of my biggest scores back then, after I told people I didn't play anymore. :nono:

I have regularly gone months without playing over the course of the last 25 years, and made too many comebacks to remember. The amazing thing (to me) is that I can pick up a cue after months off, and it feels AWFUL, like I don't have a clue. Then I play for four or five days in a row and it all starts to come back to me. Within one week, I can still get back to about 90% of my top speed. I don't think I'll ever play like I did when I was 25 or 30, but so what. I'm a happier man today, with many other interests. :wink:
 
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