Why is pool a young mans game???

C

CaptiveBred

C21H30O2
Silver Member
Seems as though I read this all the time... I don't see how it is possible if you are in decent health...

It just makes no sense to me since pool is a game of knowledge. How could age affect your game if you remember all you learned?

The latest AH thread got me thinking this again... about him testing the waters... What is there to test? He is a world class player and should be as good as he could have ever been... What would have changed over the years? Either you know the correct shot or you do not... It appears that simple to me... /shrug


Afterall, who would you rather play; Efren Reyes or Cesar Morales? I know, both could give me the 6 but still, Efren is not showing signs of weakness in his age...

So, why do the older guys claim to have played better at a younger age. They must be losing their memory since high level pool is played in your head :) Pocketing balls is just a byproduct of applied knowledge...
 
From the horses mouth...

According to Efren himself, he played better when he was younger. So even Efren would rather play the Efren of today than the Caesar Morales of old. How can you argue with the man himself...
 
eyesight

Just a fact that eye sight deteriorates with age. I'm only 40, but have already been told that I might want to consider bi-focals. Corrective lenses can only do so much. I think Efren had lasik, but I think even that is not permanent solution to my understanding.
 
CaptiveBred said:
Seems as though I read this all the time... I don't see how it is possible if you are in decent health...

It just makes no sense to me since pool is a game of knowledge. How could age affect your game if you remember all you learned?

The latest AH thread got me thinking this again... about him testing the waters... What is there to test? He is a world class player and should be as good as he could have ever been... What would have changed over the years? Either you know the correct shot or you do not... It appears that simple to me... /shrug


Afterall, who would you rather play; Efren Reyes or Cesar Morales? I know, both could give me the 6 but still, Efren is not showing signs of weakness in his age...

So, why do the older guys claim to have played better at a younger age. They must be losing their memory since high level pool is played in your head :) Pocketing balls is just a byproduct of applied knowledge...
Click to expand...

I don't think it's necessarily a young mans game entirely, but it does really depend on what players you reference. Pros? hobbyists? or advanced but recreational players? I place myself in the last category.

I think that if you put them all into one group to pull an average, then yes, pool is a young mans game.

Young men don't have 2 mortgages, they don't have kids in college, or grandchildren they have to watch or elderly parents they need to care for. They don't have home repairs or auto repairs to make for everyone in their family.

They don't play when they want to, they play (if they get lucky) when the time makes itself available. They may not even want to play when they can, LOL but they do cause thats the only opportunity to do so.

The fact that it's a mental game is exactly what makes it a young mans game. Their heads aren't full of life's problems yet.

Now as I said, some, like Pro's or road players with no families, it may not hold true. But overall... yeah I wish I could go back to when my biggest problem was getting in Betty's knickers. :)
 
CaptiveBred said:
So, why do the older guys claim to have played better at a younger age. They must be losing their memory since high level pool is played in your head :) Pocketing balls is just a byproduct of applied knowledge...
Click to expand...

It's the odds. The older you are, the more likely people will have health issues, cataracts, nervous disorders, bad backs, strokes, arthritis - it all adds up.

I'm 54 and I play a lot better now than I did when I was 30 because I practice and study the game more. So far I'm fortunate not to have physical problems and I have have a regular exercise regimen.

Some of the old guys say they don't play as good, then ask you for weight. ;) As long as your eyes are good, you are relatively physically fit, and your nervous system is healthy, there is no reason for anybody's game to decline.

Truthfully, in the middle years you really have to work at it to stay fit. I think every person over age 40 who is in decent health should examine their lifestyle. Most would benefit immensely by devoting a certain amount of time every day or two to fitness. I don't care if it's walking the dog, riding a bike, swimming, running or working out, healthy physical activity is vital to quality of life once you hit the middle to advanced years.

For those serious about exercise and nutrition, it is possible to retain close to your peak fitness level until well into the 60's and I've personally seen some do it until their mid 70's.

Chris
 
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eyes and focus

For me my game began deteriorating when my eyes did at around age 56. I just cannot see the edge of the ball as well anymore. But, and I think more important, I have also lost some of my focus. I used to be able to play for hours and every time I bent to shoot could focus on the shot and visualizing the path of the cue ball. Now I do that for 30 minutes and then I find myself thinking about a bill I forgot to pay or how I need to get the car tuned up. For me, without focus the misses start piling up.
 
all sports are a young man's game

having said that, pool allows a much longer career than most with most pro imo peaking in their mid 30's
 
The constant trips around the country get old. I for one would play more if it didn't take a day of travel to get to the next tourney. Airplane rides are like going to visit a prison inmate so that's out for me unless there is no other way. Trains can be 24 hours behind in a 24 hour trip. Busses... I have said enough about busses. Driving is by far the best mode of trasporting yourself, but how about the price of gas now? I don't like any of them anymore.
 
what!!!

CaptiveBred said:
Seems as though I read this all the time... I don't see how it is possible if you are in decent health...

It just makes no sense to me since pool is a game of knowledge. How could age affect your game if you remember all you learned?

The latest AH thread got me thinking this again... about him testing the waters... What is there to test? He is a world class player and should be as good as he could have ever been... What would have changed over the years? Either you know the correct shot or you do not... It appears that simple to me... /shrug


Afterall, who would you rather play; Efren Reyes or Cesar Morales? I know, both could give me the 6 but still, Efren is not showing signs of weakness in his age...

So, why do the older guys claim to have played better at a younger age. They must be losing their memory since high level pool is played in your head :) Pocketing balls is just a byproduct of applied knowledge...
Click to expand...

You really can't be serious can you?? We play pool not chess. Have you ever heard of athleticsm? strength,agility,stamina,energy,eye sight. All of the physical attributes one needs to sustain a high level of play,particularly when you get up in age. But unfortunately all of the mentioned attributes are diminished with age. Then there is something called desire,and goal setting that I forgot about,because i'm old and can't remember.Some times I have a problem getting out of a chair.But you could be right,I do have the knowledge and experience to beat Johnny Archer playing 9 ball right? Some one ask him if he wants to play me. Time for bed,good bye.
 
Neil said:
With age, (hopefully) comes wisdom. You have much more knowledge. But, as in other facets of life, it's usually too late to do anything with it except try to influence the few young ones that are smart enough to listen. The rest end up in the same boat we are in now.
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How true. Or to quote an old saying ... "youth is waisted on the young." :)
 
I think I play better than I did when I was younger ---- knowledge is power. Now eye sight and stamina (legs and back) can be an issue if you are older or have an injury. Or play too much golf:)
 
wincardona said:
I do have the knowledge and experience to beat Johnny Archer playing 9 ball right? Some one ask him if he wants to play me. Time for bed,good bye.
Click to expand...

sleep well, i'll call johnny today and see if he is ready. ;)
 
Age vs performance

The latest AH thread got me thinking this again... about him testing the waters... What is there to test? He is a world class player and should be as good as he could have ever been... What would have changed over the years? Either you know the correct shot or you do not... It appears that simple to me... /shrug

So then answer me this, why does the PGA have a seniors golf tour if the older guys plays as good or better than the younger guys? My question to you is, why are you asking a question with such and obvious answer????:confused:
 
Youth =

1. Better eyesight.

2. Better coordination.

3. More Stamina.

4. No Fear.
 
Jack Madden said:
Now eye sight and stamina (legs and back) can be an issue if you are older or have an injury. Or play too much golf:)
Click to expand...

There ya go, proof positive that as I say, its not a blanket rule. " Play too much golf" ????? HOLY ANGINA BATMAN ... I'd have trouble walking to the store to buy the clubs, let alone how I'd make it back to my car with them. And swinging one without inflaming my arthritis or popping nitro for my angina.

Golf? Wow, I get all pooped out just reaching into the closet for the chess board.

I have to use a one piece cue cause by the time I screw one together I forgot why I did it. :)

Yep, we all age differently. :)
 
Cuaba said:
Youth =

1. Better eyesight.

2. Better coordination.

3. More Stamina.

4. No Fear.
Click to expand...


i respectfully disagree with #4 speaking for myself, the older you get the less you have to lose
 
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