Thank god for gca because my active golfing may be done.

[mike_malone]

 After struggling with a bad back for years which was healed a couple of years ago , I have been beaten down by a bad hand. At this point the pain of playing , except on very special occasions (like playing Jim Thornton's dog track ), has outweighed the joy of playing. I know others on this site have come to the same conclusion.

   I still believe that judging a course requires playing the course. So, I will continue to play new places every once in awhile to broaden my appreciation for the architecture of courses.

    I will continue to love the architecture of golf courses; I just can't play .

[PThomas]

that's too bad Mayday, i wish you the best

[David_Tepper]

Mayday -

You are WAY to young to give in and give it up.
Find a good doctor, a helpful physical therapist and a really big bottle of ibuprofen.
Think about switching to graphite shafts in your irons to absorb some of the impact.
There is always hope.

DT

[Eric Smith]

Think about switching to graphite shafts in your irons to absorb some of the impact.

Mike, you could try using Ti shafts as well.  I played them for years and they really are good shock absorbers for your bones.

http://www.titaniumsports.com/shafts.html

Hopefully this winter you'll have a nice recovery and be back out playing next spring.

[Mac Plumart]

In all seriousness, talk to your doctors about the following...they have worked for me...

tramadol, lortab, oxycodone...

but not all at the same time!

People might laugh or think I am kidding...but they've kept me playing and they might work for you.

[Marty Bonnar]

Mayd,
that is the saddest xmas news I have heard since, well, Tiger...

Have a word with the tall droll from Allentown. If he can't help, he'll know a man who can...

very best,
FBD.

[mike_malone]

 FBD,

  Good idea to call redanman.
     I am not one who likes to put pills in his body and I can't see doing it anymore just to play golf. Pills should be for more important things.

   I always loved the competitive part of golf but now have had to change my grip after 45 years and can't control the ball at all. As a result I'm not competitive and that is too aggravating.

    I have probably had more wonderful golfing experiences than 95% of the golfers in the world, although much less than some of the masters on this site

[George Pazin]

I hope you can save a future round for me.

Best wishes as we approach the holidays, may your health be better next year.

[mike_malone]

 George,

   I consider a round with all gcaers special.

[Jay Flemma]

save one for me too, you are a holy man.

[mike_malone]

 Jay,

    One of those North Jersey courses would fit the bill.

 

[Bill_McBride]

After struggling with a bad back for years which was healed a couple of years ago , I have been beaten down by a bad hand. At this point the pain of playing , except on very special occasions (like playing Jim Thornton's dog track ), has outweighed the joy of playing. I know others on this site have come to the same conclusion.

   I still believe that judging a course requires playing the course. So, I will continue to play new places every once in awhile to broaden my appreciation for the architecture of courses.

    I will continue to love the architecture of golf courses; I just can't play .

Rest for a couple of weeks, maybe three.

See a good trainer and get a lower back stretching program under way.

You'll be back on the links in four months, no problem.  And refreshed, playing better.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

The rest really is a good idea.

[RJ_Daley]

Mike, I'm in the same boat.  Maybe not as far progressed as you.  But, I've been playing with back pain now for several years, and it is getting harder all the time.  Last winter, I was so miserable, I didn't sleep for more than a couple of hours for months.  I got a bit of a reprieve.  I went to the Y all winter, and did what I could.  Also, I walked a lot, and bought an inversion table and hanging upsidedown for several minutes and crunches upward is now part of my regular day.  Something slipped back into place for a while, and I got back to playing, although less than I wanted to.  But, I considered it a gift to get back to playing.  

Now, I am also having the hand problems.  It is classic carpal tunnel, along with advancing arthritis and trigger finger.  I know there are operations for both of these.  But, with very high deductibles and co-pays, it isn't an easy decision to take, considering that the back operations have limitted success, and some get worse.  

But, I'll try to get some rounds in, as long as I can, like you.  Maybe, some things will change in the treatment options.  But, as you said, the constant pain becomes a greater issue to balance or trade off for the joy of the game.  


I guess I"m no Pat Mucci when it comes to pain management and overcoming physical issues.  

[Dan Herrmann]

Mayday,
The correct pills can really help improve the quality of life.  Don't give up on golf!

[Will MacEwen]

Mr. Mayday,

What about the way oversized arthritic grips - would they help at all?

[mike_malone]

 I believe I'm dealing with a progressively deteriorating chronic problem rather than an acute solvable problem.

[David_Tepper]

If any of you spend a lot of time each day in front of a computer, with your hand on the mouse most of the time, you are very vulnerable to tightness, soreness, irritation & inflamation in your hand, wrist, arm, shoulder & upper back. Be sure to take a break every hour or so for some stretching and movement. It will not get any easier on your body as you get older!  

[mike_malone]

 I told my doctor I'm suffering from     AGE` pronounced----aah jay

[Adam Clayman]

You could try switching the side of the ball you stand on. If you're righty try learning the game as a lefty. Maybe that will take some strain off the injured hand while simultaneously giving you a deeper appreciation of the golf courses.

Just a thought.

I knew a guy who did it. Not because of an injury, but, because he took 3 months off (due to an injury) and came out and shot 68. He thought he needed a greater challenge. It was cool to watch him progress as a lefty. And it was even cooler to finally be able to beat him. 

[Bart Bradley]

Mike:

Hang in there...it may get better....2 years ago today I had shoulder surgery, five weeks later I ruptured my achilles tendon...As I lay in a rented hospital bed in my house (couldn't climb the stairs) unable to walk and with a shoulder that wouldn't move, I was not sure I would ever play again....The body can do amazing things and I am back playing often...I pray things will get better for you.

Bart

[mike_malone]

 Adam,

   When I was at the height of my back problems I tried going lefty because I couldn't turn on the ball. Just a few practice sessions encouraged me to find a medical solution. I'm just coming to believe that golf is the problem. Each day that I do yoga I realize it is for my health; each time I golf I feel it is hurtful.

     I have thought about traveling around to little known courses with some age to them and writing up an architectural essay for them. Most would dismiss it as the thoughts of a crackpot but some may want to pursue an deeper analysis of their courses's architectural heritage.

[Scott Henderson]

Although I do not know you, it is always a sad thing to hear that someone has to give up something they love.     I hope that rest and exercise will bring you some relief, and that you can play golf for many years to come. 

Good luck!

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mayday,

Pain management is an individual task.

I think the first order of business is getting a complete, detailed diagnosis so that you can understand everything about the injury/ies and how to intelligently work with or around them with therapy, drugs and/or other alternatives.

Sometimes, modifying your grip, stance and/or swing, although not good for a long term improvement, might be the key to allowing you the satisfaction of reasonable rounds that you can enjoy, until the underlying medical issues are resolved.

This isn't the ideal time of year to play golf in the Northeast, so, in a sense, you're not missing that much, and won't for a number of months.  So take the time to research your injuries and look for alternatives that will allow you to play in the spring.

Lastly, what difference does it make if you shoot 150, 125, 100 or 75, you'll be where you want to be, and you can create self imposed games within the game, sub-games that you'll enjoy, like learning to hit different shots, tack your way around obstacles/features/hazards.

I'm telling you that you can have a great time on the golf course, observe the architecture, chat with friends and create your own seperate goals.

Give it a try, I think you'll find that par isn't that important.



I
 

[Lou_Duran]

So bad has my game been this year that three weeks ago I put my clubs up for the foresseable future and resigned my range club.  Then the commish of one of the weekend groups I sometimes join shamed me into driving 60 miles, ostensibly for a holiday outing honoring the group's namesake (the Fat Boy Tour).  My neck hurt so much that I couldn't get the ball airborne with a wedge, but  after some pills and 15 holes, it lossened up a bit and I had birdie putts ranging from 4' to 10' on the last three holes.

Missed them all, didn't win a single bet, but had a couple of beers and great conversation with the guys and I may drive 50+ miles this Saturday to do it again.  This time my right shoulder may ache, or my lower back will be tight, or my legs might feel like rubber, and I will ask myself once again why the hell am I doing this to myself.  Then I'll hit a few decent shots, exchange some good-natured barbs with the guys, and start talking about getting my body and game in shape.  Joe, our resident pessimist, will say that we're too old and this will never happen, which gets me to start thinking that he is right an all is futile.  Then I'll get a call or E-mail and the whole thing starts over.  Maybe I just need to change my contact information. 

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Mayday I hope you are able to make a comeback.