Too old to try again?

I'm 56 soon to be 57 and feel like I play better now than ever. Don't have the eyes we had when younger but we play smarter. It's all in what you want to get out of it, I've been playing since I was around 12 but still learn and incorporate something into mt game every year.

Another 30 years and I'll be ready. Never give up.
 
Hi Mike! It's been a long time! I think we should get together sometime soon, and get you on the right road. I don't think you're too old at all...and as I recall, I owe ya! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

whiteoak said:
I used to play reasonably well(in amateur terms) until about 9 years ago.My Son moved away and all the rooms in the area closed or turned into "lounges". Anyway the only small playing spot left have bar boxes and when i get another home table i will have to get a 3 1/2 x 7 also due to space restrictions. Is it still possible work my way up to a strong Amateur player starting at this late date(my health, eyesight is good and i am semi-retired) or has that ship sailed? I also understand that many players don't consider bar box playing as legitimate pool but i realize my chances are better at my age and in amateur tournaments on that size table. I wish i had opportunities(and time) to play on big tables.Thanks,Whiteoak
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Scott Lee said:
Hi Mike! It's been a long time! I think we should get together sometime soon, and get you on the right road. I don't think you're too old at all...and as I recall, I owe ya! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Scott,I would love to. How are you and your Family? Just give me a shout or have me give you one(whichever is standard protocol) according to your schedule. 731-307-7562. Merry Christmas !!!! Mike
 
I've had my ass completely handed to me by a guy hooked up to an oxygen tank.

If you can stand, hold a cue and aren't completely blind, then you can be a great player. Maybe it's too late to go pro, but most of us don't aspire to get there anyway.
 
pool

I started playing again at 58 after 30+ years, I'm 64 now and enjoying pool more than when I was young. My family is all grown up and I play 2 leagues twice a week and really enjoy it go for it (EYE OF THE TIGER)
 
buckets said:
I've had my ass completely handed to me by a guy hooked up to an oxygen tank.

If you can stand, hold a cue and aren't completely blind, then you can be a great player. Maybe it's too late to go pro, but most of us don't aspire to get there anyway.
Click to expand...

Why not aspire to becoming a professional pool player? I hear the money and glory are out of this world! :thumbup:
 
I am 74 and started playing again last Feb. I had played for a couple of years when I was 16 and 17 and seldom touched a cue over the next 50+ years.

I am playing on a once or twice a week basis for 2 to 3 hours per session. Have some streaks of good play, but still inconsistent. Will do a 6 or 7 ball run out (8 ball or 9 ball) every now and then and then turn around a miss some simple pots.

Some of my neighbors have some nice tables that I play on - 2 Olhausens (sp) and a GC. 2 of the guys I play with are better than I am on average, but I can give them a good game when I am "on". Pushes me to get better (my competitive streak).

Gives me a good winter time hobby when I can't get out on the golf course which I do about 3 times per week - weather permitting.

I would say "go for it". As pool does not require one to be in "great physical shape", you can still improve even as age "takes it toll".

Bruce
 
whiteoak said:
I used to play reasonably well(in amateur terms) until about 9 years ago.My Son moved away and all the rooms in the area closed or turned into "lounges". Anyway the only small playing spot left have bar boxes and when i get another home table i will have to get a 3 1/2 x 7 also due to space restrictions. Is it still possible work my way up to a strong Amateur player starting at this late date(my health, eyesight is good and i am semi-retired) or has that ship sailed? I also understand that many players don't consider bar box playing as legitimate pool but i realize my chances are better at my age and in amateur tournaments on that size table. I wish i had opportunities(and time) to play on big tables.Thanks,Whiteoak
Click to expand...

IF, just an IF you need some inspiration all you have to do is watch the link I provided here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX7SH7Tz5bY

It is Henry Brodt winning his third APA singles title at the young age of 68!!! Add to that he is the only 3 time winner of this event that I know of. His mechanics are flawless, he's a gentleman, and one hell of a pool player!
 
Henry Brodt Flawless Mechanics

Quesports said:
IF, just an IF you need some inspiration all you have to do is watch the link I provided here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX7SH7Tz5bY

It is Henry Brodt winning his third APA singles title at the young age of 68!!! Add to that he is the only 3 time winner of this event that I know of. His mechanics are flawless, he's a gentleman, and one hell of a pool player!
Click to expand...

I am especially impressed with his stroke steering technique as seen in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_A-mL08iu0

It must have taken him years to come up with flawless mechanics as seen at the numerous Mezz West State Tour events. :eek: :( :confused:
 
whiteoak said:
I used to play reasonably well(in amateur terms) until about 9 years ago.My Son moved away and all the rooms in the area closed or turned into "lounges". Anyway the only small playing spot left have bar boxes and when i get another home table i will have to get a 3 1/2 x 7 also due to space restrictions. Is it still possible work my way up to a strong Amateur player starting at this late date(my health, eyesight is good and i am semi-retired) or has that ship sailed? I also understand that many players don't consider bar box playing as legitimate pool but i realize my chances are better at my age and in amateur tournaments on that size table. I wish i had opportunities(and time) to play on big tables.Thanks,Whiteoak
Click to expand...


I've play pool in leagues for over 30 years and enjoy the dedicated "pool nights". I played half that time on BCA travel leagues going from bar to bar each week and the annual Vegas Nationals trip.
This whole time I played (and excelled) was on 3 1/2 x 7 tables, Valley then Diamond tables. In the last 15 years I included TAP and APA leagues on 4x8 tables.
Recently a friend asked me to help out on his BCA 9 ball team on 9 foot tables.
I truly went from being the big fish in a small pond to bait fish in the ocean.
I really never spent any time one 9' tables but I've played for over 30 years.

Now I look forward to the 9' nights and love the tables, but it isn't mutual yet, the tables could careless about me so far but we starting to warm up to each other.

I find it considerably easier going down in table size vs going up...keep this in mind with your home table being 3 1/2 x 7 compared to what you complete on.
That said, I also have a 3 1/2 x 7 Diamond Pro-Am at home (due to space) and it is far better than not having one. I recommend tight pockets at home on the small table, shimming mine seems to have helped me.
 
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Try, Try Again

whiteoak said:
I used to play reasonably well(in amateur terms) until about 9 years ago.My Son moved away and all the rooms in the area closed or turned into "lounges". Anyway the only small playing spot left have bar boxes and when i get another home table i will have to get a 3 1/2 x 7 also due to space restrictions. Is it still possible work my way up to a strong Amateur player starting at this late date(my health, eyesight is good and i am semi-retired) or has that ship sailed? I also understand that many players don't consider bar box playing as legitimate pool but i realize my chances are better at my age and in amateur tournaments on that size table. I wish i had opportunities(and time) to play on big tables.Thanks,Whiteoak
Click to expand...

I quit playing in 1975 at 43. I started up again in 1999. I have won a State Championship & become a businessman in the World of Billiards, since. Today I am 74 & still play in tournaments, but have slid over to the Golf Table, where we gamble all the time. I don't have the time or the stamina for all day tournaments anymore.

Re-starting today is much better than starting in 1999, today there is a myriad of playing instruction available to you. The AZB forum, YouTube, books, DVDS & so on...

Good Luck to you... CB
 
Hey Bruce...Do you play any with "Jimmy da vig"? He has a beautiful 9' table in his home at Lake Frederick? He posts here too. :D

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

blehnhard said:
I am 74 and started playing again last Feb. I had played for a couple of years when I was 16 and 17 and seldom touched a cue over the next 50+ years.

I am playing on a once or twice a week basis for 2 to 3 hours per session. Have some streaks of good play, but still inconsistent. Will do a 6 or 7 ball run out (8 ball or 9 ball) every now and then and then turn around a miss some simple pots.

Some of my neighbors have some nice tables that I play on - 2 Olhausens (sp) and a GC. 2 of the guys I play with are better than I am on average, but I can give them a good game when I am "on". Pushes me to get better (my competitive streak).

Gives me a good winter time hobby when I can't get out on the golf course which I do about 3 times per week - weather permitting.

I would say "go for it". As pool does not require one to be in "great physical shape", you can still improve even as age "takes it toll".

Bruce
Click to expand...
 
Dan...Brian Parks, from Sacramento CA just won for the 4th time. He and Henry hold the records. A bunch of people have won it twice.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Quesports said:
IF, just an IF you need some inspiration all you have to do is watch the link I provided here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX7SH7Tz5bY

It is Henry Brodt winning his third APA singles title at the young age of 68!!! Add to that he is the only 3 time winner of this event that I know of. His mechanics are flawless, he's a gentleman, and one hell of a pool player!
Click to expand...
 
Scott,

The only Jim we have in our "billiard club" (read pool) is Jim Rhoades. Not sure if he is "Jimmy The Vig". Have not played at his house, but did play him at our club house which has 2 9' Connelly Tables. He lives on Grebe Drive.

The 3 regulars I play with are Dave Tolman, Jack Kraus, and James McGinnis. James went to London for the MC last week. All have tables in their home. We have a another couple of guys that fill in when any of us are not available.

I have enjoyed getting back into pool. Am a better position player than I am at making shots on a consistent basis. Either my "eye is bad" or my stroke gets off at times.

I did spend about 3 hours with Mark Powell back in early June to try and iron out my fundamentals.

Thanks,

Bruce
 
Scott Lee said:
Dan...Brian Parks, from Sacramento CA just won for the 4th time. He and Henry hold the records. A bunch of people have won it twice.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Thanks for that Scott, I had no idea anyone had won it four times. Henry is the oldest winner which says a lot about how long one can enjoy pool. To have won it at Henry's age is remarkable! Instructors like yourself are one of the links in the chain of keeping pool alive! Thanks for your lessons and your commitment to pool..
 
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