For the ages

[curtisj76]

Is it true that hitting gets harder the older you get? I apologize for my ignorance as I'm just getting into TGM. I've been messing around with hitting and having good success. My only concern is that I'm not going to be young my whole life. I don't want to change swings after hitting for 30 years. Make sense?

[Martee]

What you are really asking is for someone to crystal ball the future. Sorry that may sound a bit flipit, not meant too.

Translated, your golf stroke today will over the years under go some changes, the amount of changes will first and foremost depend upon your physical fitness. If after 30 years you find that your physical condition has decreased, say other than a round or two a golf a week you spend the rest of the time sitting, well you golf stroke will suffer. How much depends upon the individual and the demands of the golf stroke you employ.

I am sure some of the fitness experts can add a lot more.

If you are wondering is hitting for the young and swinging for the old, that doesn't track if you look at the pros that have gone on to the senior tour.

Homer did put out what he thought was an indication if you should be a hitter or swinger in 1-D, Structure. In short if you are flexible and fast, swing, if you are strong and slow, hit. That is not to say you can't do both, but most likely you will be more effective with one style over the other unless your physical characteristic prove to be equal.

[TGMfan]

Is it true that hitting gets harder the older you get? I apologize for my ignorance as I'm just getting into TGM. I've been messing around with hitting and having good success. My only concern is that I'm not going to be young my whole life. I don't want to change swings after hitting for 30 years. Make sense?

Craig Stadler seems to have maintained his stroke through the years. Winning events on both the regular and Senior tours in consecutive weeks ain't bad for an old Hitter!

[curtisj76]

Very true. I thought I heard that Trevino switched from hitting to swinging due to him getting older. Is that correct?

[efnef]

Very true. I thought I heard that Trevino switched from hitting to swinging due to him getting older. Is that correct?

Well... he did start drawing the ball, but he can still hit the push fade.

[billmckinneygolf]

Ready for the blasphemy? Ready to re-think this subject?..It's very very rare to find anyone who is PURELY a hitter or swinger. Almost everyone on the Tour is either a Switter or a Hing-er. Some shots call for a true Hit or Swing, but almost all experts have customized their patterns...from Grip Basic right through.
All 4 barrels are being "used" even if they are not being actively used. More on this later..
Respectfully,
Bill McKinney, GSEM

[Bagger Lance]

Ready for the blasphemy? Ready to re-think this subject?..It's very very rare to find anyone who is PURELY a hitter or swinger. Almost everyone on the Tour is either a Switter or a Hing-er. Some shots call for a true Hit or Swing, but almost all experts have customized their patterns...from Grip Basic right through.
All 4 barrels are being "used" even if they are not being actively used. More on this later..
Respectfully,
Bill McKinney, GSEM

Bill,

First off, welcome to the forum.
I'm sure we can all benefit from your many years of experience in the Machine.

Nothing Blasphemous at all. Now if you said most tour players are either pure hitters or swingers, then a lot of eyebrows would be raised. Since this is the "Hitters" thread, who would you classify as a pure hitter on tour today? Anyone?

Thanks,

Bagger

[Bagger Lance]

Curtis,

Like many here, I can hit or swing, and hitting comes more naturally to me. But currently I take swinging to the course. I'm also a bit of a fitness freak, so I'll try to give my perspective.

Nothing earth shattering really. As we age it's tough to maintain the strength and flexibility we experienced in our younger selves. Swinging or hitting calls on muscles, tendons and reflexes which peak in our 20's, decline slightly in our 30's, and from then on we have to rely on experience while keeping ourselves as fit as possible.

Personally, I believe hitting requires much more muscular involvment than swinging and as a result, may be more impacted by age than swinging. I could go into all the muscle groups and how they are effected, but a bit short on time at the moment. Suffice to say, it's dependent on your physical makeup, and your experience with either procedure, or both. If you can maintain a good level of flexibility as you age, keep your back healthy, and keep your core muscles strong, swinging may have the best long term advantage. If you are not as flexible, but have good overall strength, particularly upper body strength, hitting might be your best bet.

Bagger

[YodasLuke]

Ready for the blasphemy? Ready to re-think this subject?..It's very very rare to find anyone who is PURELY a hitter or swinger. Almost everyone on the Tour is either a Switter or a Hing-er. Some shots call for a true Hit or Swing, but almost all experts have customized their patterns...from Grip Basic right through.
All 4 barrels are being "used" even if they are not being actively used. More on this later..
Respectfully,
Bill McKinney, GSEM

I would have to agree, and it's not blasphemous at all. That's why you find A LOT of blanks in 12-4. However, there are plenty that are heavily skewed in one direction or the other. 12-1-0 or 12-2-0 is a great starting point though. And, a true hit or swing would be a nice Christmas wish for everyone.

[Fred Brattain]

My only problem with this whole thread is the guy who thinks Stadler is "old"......

Fred Brattain
aka Obi WunPutt