This is for the old guys....

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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

I'm 57 and play quite a bit better than I ever did. I am a better student of the game and now have patience and maturity that I never had when I was younger. Also, we now have the tools to watch an unprecedented amount of video to learn from - and knowledge is readily available for the taking.

Health wise, I had Lasik about 8 years ago and I also exercise regularly (weights and running). So far, thank god, no health issues (except dental work).

I would say a drawback of my age is that my first reserve of energy goes to work, family, and certain voluntary but important life commitments. The energy devoted to pool is whatever happens to be left - and sometimes the tank is just empty!

Chris

 

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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...

Charley,

I'm sorry I wasn't aware of your accident.

I just dusted off your terrific book again, The Great Break Shot, and was reading it a few days ago. It's one of those books I like breaking out every few months and reviewing - it kind of helps me tune up my break. I was also messing around with that 60" Koa break cue you had made for me.

Best wishes in your recovery.

Chris

 

[TATE]

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.

One thing I've noticed as I've gotten older is I don't seem to sleep as well as I used to, but I still need the sleep. I use an over the counter sleep drug "Simply Sleep" and it helps - but still, getting a decent sleep can be elusive.

Chris

 

[doitforthegame]

One thing I've noticed as I've gotten older is I don't seem to sleep as well as I used to, but I still need the sleep. I use an over the counter sleep drug "Simply Sleep" and it helps - but still, getting a decent sleep can be elusive.

Chris

Sleep? You mean that thing that occurs about every 45 minutes during the night? You know, fall asleep; wake up, toss, turn, fall asleep, wake up, toss turn, fall asleep....in a continuous loop, until your back is so sore you have to get up..... :smile: