First Major Golf Injury

[Pa Jayhawk]

Playing in a 2 day Ryder Cup event at our course, I had the fun experience of encountering my first major golf injury. We had rain on Saturday, and then overnight. Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day. Coming off 5, I had just hit probably my best shot of the entire year. Punched a 7 iron under a low tree from 125 yards out, rolled up Pin High to within 8 feet. Came off 5 being 2 up. Hit a very poor popup on the 200 yard par 3 6th, and found myself on an overlooking rocky ledge, played up to just off the green, and another fairly good recover for the position I was in. I began to walk around, got towards the bottom and saw a nice looking, slanted 3 foot boulder that I could step off of. Figured it was nice and dry. Took one step, pushed off, and found my feet above my head landing on my lower back and left elbow flat on the slanted rock.

Needless to say, I cursed and moaned, finally worked my way up on my feet only to realize someone took a sledgehammer to my lower back. Could barely lean to chip or putt. Conceded the hole after a very poor chip and first putt. To be honest, I have no idea what the other player had at the time. Tee'd off on seven to a sharp pain in my follow through. I found my self in great shape, competitor could not find his. Took one practice swing and realized that would be the last of the day, and conceded the match. I packed it in and had to hunt down my wife who was playing several holes behind and went to the emergency room.

Fortunately there are no broken bones, kidneys are fine, just very sore, can hardly dress or put on socks, had a lousy nights sleep and a bruised ego. So likely will be taking at least the rest of the week off from touching a club, hopefully will be O.K. for an outing we have next week. Probably be on here a bit assuming my lower back does not act up to much. Probably the most pain I have felt in quite some time, much worse than the torn calf I had 6 years ago from soccer.

Moral of this story, stay away from the rocks. I went back to the Clubhouse after the ER and the rumor floating around was that I was pushed. Although I guess since my wife was on the other team, it evened out.

[warbirdlover]

Glad to hear you're okay. I play with the lower back pain quite a bit since I have "ankylosing spondilitus" (degenerative bone disease of the spine or arthritus of the spine). I've learned not to walk more then 9 holes and sometimes have to ride in a cart for the 9. Makes for an interesting round sometime though doesn't it?

[JEFF4i]

Wow, that had to hurt! At least the vitals are okay, but the soreness has to be aweful.

Sorry dude. Take it easy, watch some TV, and milk it for all it's worth with your wife!

[chollyred]

Tough break. I hope your back heals quickly. Lower back injuries have a way of sticking around awhile.

A bunch of us from work used to go up to Frankfort, Ky. every year for a huge intra-company 3 day tournament. The last year I went, I rode up in the back seat of a Saturn. I believe the cramped position for so many hours caused my back to go out. Teed off on the 3rd hole and felt it go. Tried to finish the hole with some short irons, but just couldn't bend from the waist at all. Withdrew from the tournament and had to wiat around until everyone else finished. THEN had to ride back in that Godforsaken Saturn all the way back to Atlanta. It took several trips to the chiropractor before I could even walk straight up. It was weeks before I could swing a club again.

[Pa Jayhawk]

I have been pretty fortunate in 41 years. Most injuries related to Soccer. Bad knees, Bad Shoulder (was a goalie most of the time), what was probably a broken toe and finger that was never treated. Broken nose and torn Calf. Other misc. cuts, bangs and bruises, minor back and neck stuff from 2 accidents. I doubt I have had anything this painful, although it seems to be getting a little better. My wife said that was one of the few times she ever saw me show alot of expression from pain when the doctor pushed on the spot that was in pain. She said she knew it must have been pretty bad at that point.

Never been a fan of pain killers ever since working in a pharmacy in college and seeing some of the problems people get into. Plus I want to know if it is getting better, and have seen people strain things worse because the pain is gone and don't take it easy. Usually just take Ibuprofen (Advil), and nothing more, and refuse a prescription for anything more. Yesterday after getting on and off the x-ray table, it was actually the first time I said it may be a bad idea to have around. Although I still haven't opened the bottle, so it is obviously not getting much worse.

[Johnny Par]

Glad to hear it's nothing serious, hopefully, with some rest, you'll be back on the course.

I slipped a disc in my lower back years ago in college which caused sciatica down my left leg. This was by far the most excruciating pain I have ever felt.

What sux is that it's chronic, comes and goes. I should really be strengthening my stomach and back muscles which is why I bought an exercise ball (to decorate my room), for now.

[JEFF4i]

Walk it off!

[Ravenous Bugblatter Beast]

I've been away from these boards for some other things, and wow, you did a job on yourself. Ouch.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Ravenous Bugblatter Beast

I've been away from these boards for some other things, and wow, you did a job on yourself. Ouch.

Good to see you again!!!
It seems to be getting better every day. I went out this morning with my wife and a couple friends. Pretty glad I didn't try to play. I took my Digital Camera along to photograph the course, which was a nice change of pace. I dropped off after 5 as it swings back by the clubhouse, and I started to feel it a little by that time. Should be able to upload some pictures of the course in a bit. I will probably go out tomorrow when they go out and take a seperate cart so I can drop off when need be and get some more pictures of the other holes. Hopefully by next weekend I will be able to play again. I'll pick up a new putter to replace the one that got damaged this week, and maybe take some swings towards the end of the week to see if I can play.

BTW, how is the hand coming along???

[Ravenous Bugblatter Beast]

It's good that you're recovering well.

I've got a nice tidy little scar now at the base of the thumb, and it's a bit sensitive at times. I was very lucky that I didn't get anything of importance like a nerve or a tendon.

Maybe I'll get to golf tomorrow, don't know yet. It's been impossible lately for me to have any time to practice much of anything. I think breaking 80 is going to get pushed back to next year.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Ravenous Bugblatter Beast

It's good that you're recovering well.

I've got a nice tidy little scar now at the base of the thumb, and it's a bit sensitive at times. I was very lucky that I didn't get anything of importance like a nerve or a tendon.

Maybe I'll get to golf tomorrow, don't know yet. It's been impossible lately for me to have any time to practice much of anything. I think breaking 80 is going to get pushed back to next year.

Good to hear you are back to being able to play. There is always next year, although there are always surprises. The thought of pushing it back until next year may be enough to relax you with no expectations and you may get a nice surprise. I sometimes find my best rounds when I have no expectations.

[JEFF4i]

That's great you can get out and play a little bit Jayhawk, take it easy though.

Injuries can cause bad habits oh so easily.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by JEFF4i

That's great you can get out and play a little bit Jayhawk, take it easy though.

Injuries can cause bad habits oh so easily.

Actually I am still not playing, I was just taking pictures on the course today. Which is probably my second favorite hobby. Just being on the course was nice, even though I only lasted 5 holes in a cart. I actually would likely have been better off had I been able to walk the course, the cart killed me. I will likely wait until later this week before I pick up a club again for the first time. I am taking it very easy so I don't delay my return to golf any further. I will likely try to make it out on the course again tomorrow with just my camera. I will probably swing a club for the first time in my yard on Wednesday, or Thursday if I feel comfortable. I tore my calf playing soccer 6 years ago and was on crutches for 6 weeks. This seemed much worse than that experience, and I learned from that experience that it was not good to rush back. If I am on the course next weekend with club in hand, I will be very happy. If not, we will be on vacation the following week, and I will take it as a good time to relax and recuperate.

[JEFF4i]

Originally Posted by FKA Pa Jayhawk

Actually I am still not playing, I was just taking pictures on the course today. Which is probably my second favorite hobby. Just being on the course was nice, even though I only lasted 5 holes in a cart. I actually would likely have been better off had I been able to walk the course, the cart killed me. I will likely wait until later this week before I pick up a club again for the first time. I am taking it very easy so I don't delay my return to golf any further. I will likely try to make it out on the course again tomorrow with just my camera. I will probably swing a club for the first time in my yard on Wednesday, or Thursday if I feel comfortable. I tore my calf playing soccer 6 years ago and was on crutches for 6 weeks. This seemed much worse than that experience, and I learned from that experience that it was not good to rush back. If I am on the course next weekend with club in hand, I will be very happy. If not, we will be on vacation the following week, and I will take it as a good time to relax and recuperate.

Ahhh, okay. Well that's cool, let me put it this way, at least you are active. You have to work the muscles a bit, as I'm sure you know. When swinging the club, take it easy, not one step forward...two back. Ever thought about at least talking to a physical therapist for a few pointers? I know a couple if you want me to drop them a line. Just for some general ideas on things that would be good but not too stressing.