What Pastimes Are Fading/Failing With Aging Boomers?

[Blue Collar Guy]

I wanted a chemistry set, my dad said :"this kid will blow up the house."hahah I got the erector set with the motor, I dont remember getting those bid metal wheels in mine, I did get cut a few times on it.

 

[Midpack]

Pickup outdoor team sports? We used to play touch football all the time when I was a kid, after school until dinner, and games to 100 on some weekends. I loved playing! I occasionally see touch football at family get togethers, but I can't remember the last time I've seen kids only playing football that wasn't organized by schools or other institutions.

Pickup baseball wasn't that common when/where I lived, maybe other regions? It was usually organized even way back then where I lived.

Pickup basketball wasn't common when/where I lived either. But I gather it's the one big team sport where pickup games are still common (in urban settings)?

I have no idea, but pickup soccer may still be common in other countries?

 

[Music Lover]

I mentioned golf earlier as have many others. Today I got a good look at the demographic at a local course. The siren went off part way through our round due to lightening and everyone had to leave the course until it was safe.

We ended up in the restaurant with around 60 people. I'm 55 and my friend is 54. We think there were only 3 or 4 golfers younger than us, and at least 20 of them were well into their 70's. No one under 40 at all. Now, a part of that could be because it was a weekday, but the lack of young people taking up the game must be cause for concern to clubs trying to pay the bills.

 

[Amethyst]

Another thought is that resistance to change may be characteristic of advancing age, not any particular generation. My older sister (late 60's) is very insightful about her own dislike of change. She says it feels like throwing away her past, and all she has invested in it.

I haven't read through the thread entirely yet but in your last statement on boomers resisting change and having impacts on traditions. I am one of the younger boomers but I truly believe your observations and it's not just specific to golf and sailing.

 

[brett]

Our new neighbours, who are avid golfers, tell me that two of the courses that they frequent have actually lost money in each of the past two years.

 

[Souschef]

Our new neighbours, who are avid golfers, tell me that two of the courses that they frequent have actually lost money in each of the past two years.

I just read that the golf courses that the city of Ventura , CA are losing money also

 

[Music Lover]

I just read that the golf courses that the city of Ventura , CA are losing money also

Many courses around here that used to be private or semi-private with membership waiting lists and initiation fees are now actively pursuing new members at reduced rates. A lot of them have also greatly reduced or dropped the initiation fee.

 

[aja8888]

I lost track of how many Heathkits I built over the years. They were a lot of fun.

Ditto! Besides all the stereo gear, I built some nice automotive test tools.

 

[Breedlove]

Anyone remember the toys you used to get in cereal . or if you sent so many box tops you would get a prize . . I remember getting a submarine , on the box it looked huge when I got it , it was about 4 inches long.

 

[aja8888]

Anyone remember the toys you used to get in cereal . or if you sent so many box tops you would get a prize . . I remember getting a submarine , on the box it looked huge when I got it , it was about 4 inches long.

Good memory. I had a small plastic Nautilus sub you filled up with baking soda and it sunk in the bathtub, then the dissolving baking soda gas lifted it to the surface. I was about 8 years old then and played with that sub for hours.

 

[Meadbh]

I mentioned golf earlier as have many others. Today I got a good look at the demographic at a local course. The siren went off part way through our round due to lightening and everyone had to leave the course until it was safe.

We ended up in the restaurant with around 60 people. I'm 55 and my friend is 54. We think there were only 3 or 4 golfers younger than us, and at least 20 of them were well into their 70's. No one under 40 at all. Now, a part of that could be because it was a weekday, but the lack of young people taking up the game must be cause for concern to clubs trying to pay the bills.

I live in a golf Mecca and play at two different courses. The one closest to me (on Aboriginal land) has a very active Juniors program. Two years ago it hosted the Provincial Junior championship. The holes are relatively short, but challenging, making it accessible to amateur golfers without very powerful drives. It's very scenic, full of interesting wildlife and extremely well kept. Most years it is rated the top course in the area. It's a hive of activity. I'm sure the owners are making a nice profit.

It's called competitive advantage.

I'm very fortunate to live 4 minutes away!

http://www.twoeaglesgolf.com

 

[Koolau]

Many courses around here that used to be private or semi-private with membership waiting lists and initiation fees are now actively pursuing new members at reduced rates. A lot of them have also greatly reduced or dropped the initiation fee.

Heh, heh, kinda sweet isn't it?

 

[Moemg]

Good memory. I had a small plastic Nautilus sub you filled up with baking soda and it sunk in the bathtub, then the dissolving baking soda gas lifted it to the surface. I was about 8 years old then and played with that sub for hours.

I had one of those ! You probably also had a decoder ring .

 

[Koolau]

Anyone remember the toys you used to get in cereal . or if you sent so many box tops you would get a prize . . I remember getting a submarine , on the box it looked huge when I got it , it was about 4 inches long.

I saved box tops from Grapenuts and was able to get a small plastic boat that looked like a wooden Chris Craft. Tiny, but seemed kind of cool at the time.

DW and I both recall getting 1 square inch of Alaska - I wish I recalled what I did with the deed. Additionally, I got a small pouch of "pay dirt" from Alaska that supposedly contained gold, though I never panned it (nor found any gold.) No idea what happened to it either.

I suppose with today's toys, games, electronics, etc. such items would hold no interest for youngsters. YMMV

 

[Music Lover]

Heh, heh, kinda sweet isn't it?

Don't get me wrong...I like the discounted prices ($36 for 2 of us to play yesterday), but that's not sustainable.

 

[JoeWras]

Don't get me wrong...I like the discounted prices ($36 for 2 of us to play yesterday), but that's not sustainable.

The prices rises of the 90s were no sustainable either. Pretty much killed my interest. Maybe it is time to get back into it.

 

[GravitySucks]

Good memory. I had a small plastic Nautilus sub you filled up with baking soda and it sunk in the bathtub, then the dissolving baking soda gas lifted it to the surface. I was about 8 years old then and played with that sub for hours.

I had it too. Fun toy.