Since part of the reason for this website is to track my progress, I guess I should post some progress updates. It’s hard for me to toot my own horn, especially when it sounds more like a Bronx cheer right about now. But nonetheless, I’m going to try to post weekly status every Sunday. At the very least, it’ll make me look honestly at the situation and help me stay committed. Anyway…
As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m coming off a major back injury. I have a herniated disk in my lower back that has kept me from being able to play, aside from few token attempts, for the better part of two years. Last winter, I paid a visit to my friendly, neighborhood spine specialists at Coastal Spine and they fixed me up with a great physical therapy regimen. It has worked wonders for me. I’m not at 100% and may never be, but that combined with weight loss and regular gym workouts should leave me at “good enough” status.
Because of that, I’m finally getting back to playing and practicing for real. A couple of weeks back, I nervously hit the driving range for the first time. I’m happy with how fast things are coming back to me. I’ve played a few 9-hole rounds and one 18-hole round (yesterday), and had a few driving range sessions. So far, even when I have a little back soreness I recover fairly quickly. I feel like my range time is productive, but my scores on the course have been much worse than I want. But given the situation, I can’t really complain.
Here’s a closer look at the good and the bad.
The Good
- On the range, I’m really coming back with my ball striking. The back issue was causing some nasty swing compensations that seem to be gone now.
- I’m starting to be able to reliably turn the ball on command again at the range and a little on the course.
- My driver is coming back quickly, and my distance has mostly returned
- One thing that’s coming back that I missed dearly is my 2-iron. I’m starting to hit it crisply again.
- Strangely, chipping, which has been a weakness of mine is very good right now. Maybe because there’s so much else that’s going bad. Hmmmm….
The Bad
- My conditioning is flat-out awful right now. I went to the driving range in the morning yesterday and then played 18 in the afternoon (for the first time in a looooooong while) and it absolutely wiped me out. My swing was starting to suffer by the back nine and today I’m actually still sore and tired. I started my round yesterday pretty well. I shot par on three out of the first four holes then had a couple of blow-up holes then the fatigue set in and the round really got bad.
- My putting is slow to come around, though it was a little better yesterday. I need to find more time to get some putting sessions in to get me back to where I was.
- I’m having several blow-up holes per round. This is coming from a lack of mental focus and putting skills that have dulled over time.
- Overall, my game is still very sloppy. I’m not hitting many greens at all, and am missing a lot of fairways.
So, that’s where I stand. It’s going to take some work just to get back to where I was, let alone getting to my ultimate goal. It’s pouring outside now, and I’m sore, but I’m headed to the gym. If I’m not back in an hour, come looking for me…
Loading ...
Connect
Here are some other ways we can connect