Keith Plowman has been experimenting with his putting, lining up with his left hand down the shaft. At the age of 86, he reckons you need to work on your technique to remain competitive.
Not that the Maungakiekie player needs to make concessions for his age. At the weekend he
was presented with a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records, acknowledging his record of playing to his age or better 758 times.
He had already improved that record by the time the certificate arrived. It was 790 on Saturday and he expects to pass 800 before the end of the month.
Plowman, a representative tennis player in his youth, didn't take up golf until he was 38 when he joined Maungakiekie. He got his handicap down to two and has hovered around single figures ever since. These days it's either nine or 10.
He plays four times a week since he retired from business and he believes in keeping up with the times.
"I've got a set of Ping clubs and a Golden Bear putter," he said. "I used to hit a long drive but that's part of my game that's shrunk.
"I try to improve my technique as I get older, but I find it hard to change these days.
"I've been trying putting with my left hand down the shaft, but I think I might go back to a conventional stance."
Plowman's best round at Maungakiekie was 68 when the par was 72.
He first matched his age when he was 70. He is still sharp enough to have shot a 73 this year.
The Guinness record is likely to increase steadily, but he has another record in his sights.
"I'd like to play my age or better on my 100th birthday," he said. "That's something to aim for. But Guinness tell me the record for the oldest to play to his age is 103."
