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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

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.