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Lesson Learned: In Golf, Age is Just a Number

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

Stewart Cink of the United States plays a shot on the 13th hole during the third round of the RBC Heritage on April 17, 2021 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

There is no other sport where you can find such a wide range of ages showing success at the highest level as you find in golf.
I don’t say this only because of 47-year-old Stewart Cink’s blistering first and second rounds at this week’s RBC Heritage, as there are plenty of other examples. Take every low 60 posted by a Bernhard Langer or a Freddy Couples on the Champions Tour, or guys like Jose Maria or Lefty making the cut and playing well at this year’s Masters. Or remember when a 59-year-old Tom Watson nearly won the Open Championship in 2009? Golf is undoubtedly a sport that allows for success deep into one’s later years.
There are things that you as a recreational golfer need to know, however, and either continue to incorporate or begin to work on to ensure you can stay sharp for many, many years to come.
Staying Loose...
One of the most fundamental things to know about golf is that we move our bodies in a much different way than we do from almost every other aspect our daily lives. With that said, and a counterpoint to this article, you can indeed get hurt or create lasting injury if you do not prep and maintain a flexible body as a golfer. Making sure that you practice a daily stretching routine is not only necessary for your longevity as a golfer but also as a healthy and mobile person in general. Ask the great Gary Player about his thoughts on that...
Short Game Health...
Maintaining a solid short game through regular practice is key to keeping longevity and enjoyment when playing the game. Over time, even for those that maintain flexibility and strength, we will lose speed and with that, distance. Having to hit one or even two more clubs into a green absolutely does not mean having to sacrifice your ability to score. That is if you continue to keep your 100 yard and in play as well as your putting sharp. Committing to regular and relatively short practice sessions in these areas will undoubtedly help.
Experience and a Sharp Mind...
One of the biggest benefits that come with a lifetime of playing the game is your ability to know from experience. If you’ve played a course 100’s or even 1000’s of times, or hit a particular shot countless times, you can indeed lean in on the repetitiveness for continued success. From the mental standpoint, you need to let yourself understand that while you may have certain deficiencies over time due to age, your mind and experience can certainly find a way to overcome those and play at the same level you did 20, 30 or more years prior...or in some cases, find yourself playing even better!
Golf is the ultimate lifetime sport. If you keep some of these thoughts in mind, you can continue to enjoy the game for decades to come.
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Remote Golf Coach, Founder & Golf Writer

Brendon Elliott, PGA, helps competitive teenage golfers improve through BE A GOLFER remote coaching, self-guided programs and digital practice tools. Shop self-guided digital resources: https://be-a-golfer-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all **PRIVATE REMOTE COACHING** $400/month with a three-month minimum, $1,000/quarter or $4,000/year. Includes two live coaching hours each month, CoachNow communication and unlimited swing-video analysis, individual practice plans, SwingU performance tracking, selective SportsBox AI analysis, tournament preparation and review, and priority support. Apply and receive acceptance before paying. Parent or guardian involvement is required for minors. Apply for coaching: https://beagolfer.golf/apply-for-coaching **TWO DISTINCT 12-WEEK PROGRAMS** 12-Week Coached Remote Development Cycle — $1,500 one-time. Six scheduled live sessions, a private CoachNow space, weekly priorities and progress reviews. Application and acceptance required. 12-Week Self-Guided Development Plan — $1,500 one-time with 12-week access. Independent development with limited coach involvement; no scheduled live sessions or unlimited personal feedback. No application required. Explore both programs: https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching **DIGITAL PRACTICE TOOLS** Start at your own pace with instant-download practice plans, journals and tournament resources. The $59 Competitive Golfer's Practice Blueprint is a paid 21-day digital toolkit, separate from the free introductory practice guide. The $149 Competitive Golfer Bundle + Video Review includes one recorded review; ongoing coaching is purchased separately. Shop digital programs: https://be-a-golfer-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all **IN-PERSON COACHING — WAITLIST ONLY** All in-person coaching is offered in packages: $600/month, $1,500/quarter or $5,000/year. Includes one private coaching hour each week in Longwood, with location and schedule confirmed by Brendon, plus remote support. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee acceptance or a start date. Join the waitlist: https://beagolfer.golf/waiting-list **EXPERIENCE, WRITING AND BUSINESS** Brendon brings more than 30 years in golf, more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors, and the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. His career includes coaching, club leadership, college golf education and mentoring. He founded Little Linksters in 2008 and led it for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching BE A GOLFER. He is Senior Golf Writer for Athlon Sports, with work also appearing in PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine and MyGolfSpy. Through One More Roll Golf Media, he provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and golf industry media services. BE A GOLFER: https://beagolfer.golf/home Athlon Sports writing: https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott One More Roll Golf Media: https://onemorerollgolf.com/ More about Brendon: https://brendonelliott.com/

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