The effect that aging has on your game

[Bishop]

What do you guys think is the point of diminishing returns with your game. Do you think at some point as you get older that your game will suffer. Barring serious health issues do you think you can maintain a high level of play into your 60's 70's 80's and above.

[BHQ]

i think's it's different for everyone
my pool buddy is 73 and i don't believe he's lost his game,
he just doesn't play quite as often
this guy is 73, has an artificial leg, works 50-60 hours a week and runs circles around the pool table like a 18 yr old kid
we played for 14 hours straight a couple years ago
hell, he wore ME out
maybe you could put another post on about how MY GAME causes ME to age!!!

[shark3149]

I would have to agree with BHQ.I have a friend that is in his 70's and still is one of the favorits at any tournament he goes to.I have known him for abot 15 years and he still plays as good if not better now than he ever has maybe just a bit slower.I hope I play half as good as him at that age.

[A-Train]

I'm 22, so I don't know anything about that yet. There is an ex pro that plays at my favorite pool hall who is probably somewhere around 60-65 and he's sharp as ever. There is also a former world champion 9 ball player that works at my pool hall and he's still johnny on the spot when it comes to pool.

One guy, probably 80 years old is likely the best cue ball manipulator I've ever witnessed. He may not make all the balls, but his shape is impeccable every time. He doesn't move around the table fast, but he sure does have a great time doing it.

[Maniac]

To start with, I could never compare myself to an aging "pro". Let's just say at 54 years of age, I'm good on a good night and can suck with the worst of them on a bad night (in reality, I'm an APA SL5). But the aging process has ALREADY affected my game. I have to shoot with "reading" glasses on to get a distinct, sharp image at the edge of the object ball I'm aiming at. When I'm not at the table I have to remove them so the table doesn't look blurry. Then, almost 5 years ago I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder (I'm right handed) and now have somewhat limited motion with that shoulder thus making "jacked-up" shots difficult. Then, about this time last year I began feeling the effects of "frozen shoulder" (medical term: adhesive capsulation) in my left shoulder which I eventually had to have a surgical procedure on followed by about 30 sessions of physical therapy. Now I have somewhat limited movement in my left shoulder as well, keeping me from stretching out while bridging. Two nights ago while in bed, I noticed my right shoulder was hurting. It is still stiff and a little painful today. I am starting to think I may be getting "frozen shoulder" on my right side as well. Geez !!! On top of all this I have chronic stiffness in my lower back that effects how far I can bend at the waist. I load up on Ibuprofen about an hour before my matches start to loosen it up some.
So, with all that being said, I believe in my case I have reached the point of diminishing returns. If I would have taken pool as seriously (trying to learn more instead of just showing-off/banging) when I was younger as I now do, there is no doubt in my mind that I would have been a much better player then as I ever will be now, at my age.

Maniac

[ccn7]

I'll be 60 this year, i think the biggest thing that has changed in my game is my eyesight, i have a tough time with the long cuts on a 9 footer. My position play is alot better as i've had to try and avoid them long shots i once could make. My patience is alot better than when i was younger, I'm still an offensive player ,but now play good defense when needed. I dont think your game has to suffer when you get older I think you find other parts of your game to improve on to over come the parts that are deminishing. As you get older its my feeling your mental game is one of the most important part of your game, us older guys have one heck of a library of knowledge having been there done that and to recall shots we have made many a time is part of our game.