Planks, wood chops, bench squats, band walks, Supermans. Events in a superhero lumberjack contest? No, these are the names of exercises my personal trainer has me doing every week. Since January, I've been hitting the gym and doing golf-specific strength training with a guy who is half my age and has a -3 handicap. (That's a negative handicap, i.e. better than scratch.) Every session is a different series of exercises to build up core and upper body strength. The result? I feel stronger. Not quite strong enough to flip over a car, but strong enough to swing a golf club a little faster without hurting myself.
Because the weather has been unseasonably nice in the last two weeks, in the 70s. I've already played 9 holes twice, walking with a cart. The first time I didn't score but I did make 2 pars. The second time, I shot 10 over 9 holes, which is not a bad start for me. I think I may have even gained a bit of distance, thanks to all the wood chop exercises. I'm still not sure I want to keep a handicap again this year. I plan on playing twice a week max so I don't overstress my elbow like I did last year. That old tendon flared up a little on these early outings, but as long as I use a compression band and don't overwork it, hopefully it will hold up. I've really been focusing on getting my right hand more active to prevent stressing out the left forearm.
I think I'll be ready to play 18 holes this weekend. Temps are forecast to be in the mid 60s, and there might be a bit of rain. But let's hope not.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Golf Resolutions for 2016
Another year has flown by and it's time to reflect on my golfy pursuits of the past year and craft some attainable goals for the new one.
First, let's review and see how I did last year.
#1: Lower my handicap. I ended the season with a 17.5, which is lower than the previous year's 19. I think I could have done even better if my season had not been stymied by elbow tendonitis.
#2: Learn to enjoy playing competitively. I didn't play any tournaments this year, so I didn't get the chance to work at this resolution. I think it means I probably shouldn't have made it a resolution in the first place. Golf is a game to me, not a competition.
#3: Become a more consistent putter. Well this past year, hubby once made a point to compliment me on my putting, which is saying something. I think I have become a better greens reader, though, and I am more consistent about setting up with the ball slightly left of center to compensate for my right-eye dominance. It's a technique that really works.
#4: Break 80 (or maybe just 85). Ummm, not yet. Shot some 89s though.
#5: Play another bucket list course. Still haven't made it out to Bandon Dunes. Does Port Royal in Bermuda count?
Okay, now for the new year's resolutions. I really just have one:
Resolution #1: Get fit for golf. After I injured my forearm a few months ago, I should have quit for the season, but I felt compelled to play 9 holes here and there because the weather was so awesome. I rested for a month, then played 3 rounds over the last two weeks in December. Hubby and I spent the Christmas holiday in Carlsbad, CA, and I knew it would be the last rounds before the cold East Coast winter. Though I wasn't doing my forearm any favors, it helped to wear a compression band while playing. I even made a birdie and several memorable pars.
During this winter downtime, I need to do more than rest my forearm. I believe that developing strength is key to preventing injury in golf, so I'm planning to enlist a personal trainer to help me increase my muscle strength, especially in my upper body and core, and correct muscle imbalances caused by golf, as well as work-related repetitive stress (e.g. sitting and typing on a computer). While I do plenty of cardio for endurance, plus pilates, yoga and stretching for flexibility, I have no strength training regimen to speak of, other than the muscle toning that comes with doing pilates.
I have an assessement appointment with a personal trainer at my gym on Thursday. He works with a lot of golfers. I'll keep you posted...
First, let's review and see how I did last year.
#1: Lower my handicap. I ended the season with a 17.5, which is lower than the previous year's 19. I think I could have done even better if my season had not been stymied by elbow tendonitis.
#2: Learn to enjoy playing competitively. I didn't play any tournaments this year, so I didn't get the chance to work at this resolution. I think it means I probably shouldn't have made it a resolution in the first place. Golf is a game to me, not a competition.
#3: Become a more consistent putter. Well this past year, hubby once made a point to compliment me on my putting, which is saying something. I think I have become a better greens reader, though, and I am more consistent about setting up with the ball slightly left of center to compensate for my right-eye dominance. It's a technique that really works.
#4: Break 80 (or maybe just 85). Ummm, not yet. Shot some 89s though.
#5: Play another bucket list course. Still haven't made it out to Bandon Dunes. Does Port Royal in Bermuda count?
 |
| Twilight scene from my last December round of 2015, at Coronado Golf Course in San Diego, CA. |
Okay, now for the new year's resolutions. I really just have one:
Resolution #1: Get fit for golf. After I injured my forearm a few months ago, I should have quit for the season, but I felt compelled to play 9 holes here and there because the weather was so awesome. I rested for a month, then played 3 rounds over the last two weeks in December. Hubby and I spent the Christmas holiday in Carlsbad, CA, and I knew it would be the last rounds before the cold East Coast winter. Though I wasn't doing my forearm any favors, it helped to wear a compression band while playing. I even made a birdie and several memorable pars.
During this winter downtime, I need to do more than rest my forearm. I believe that developing strength is key to preventing injury in golf, so I'm planning to enlist a personal trainer to help me increase my muscle strength, especially in my upper body and core, and correct muscle imbalances caused by golf, as well as work-related repetitive stress (e.g. sitting and typing on a computer). While I do plenty of cardio for endurance, plus pilates, yoga and stretching for flexibility, I have no strength training regimen to speak of, other than the muscle toning that comes with doing pilates.
I have an assessement appointment with a personal trainer at my gym on Thursday. He works with a lot of golfers. I'll keep you posted...
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Giving Thanks for a Birdie Chance
At the gym today I ran into a woman who doesn't golf but who knows I golf. "How's the golf?" she asked.
I pointed to my elbow. "I haven't golfed for awhile," I said. "I have tendonitis."
"Is it tennis elbow or the true golfer's elbow?" she asked.
"Actually, it's neither," I said, impressed that she knew there was a difference. "Just some other kind of tendonitis near my elbow, according to my physical therapist." Although I thought I had tennis elbow from golf, it turns out I don't. However, the treatment has been the same: rest, stretching, strengthening, and some interesting treatments involving paraffin wax and ultrasound. Plus forearm massages.
The woman at the gym knew all about tennis elbow, since she had it in both arms. Hers was not from tennis either, but from her job as a dental hygienist. Her husband has had tennis elbow -- from golf -- for about 3 years. Between the two of them, they've had every treatment in the book, from physical therapy to laser treatments to surgery. They also use the FlexBar, which uses eccentric (say it like "eee-centric") to strengthen the elbow tendons the correct way. My physical therapist has me doing eccentric exercises too, but using a regular 3-lb hand weight and flexing my left wrist down (not up).
Since developing tendonitis in my elbow, I've encountered at least six people who have had it. That's the thing about being human. Physically, humans are generally made of the same stuff: blood, muscles, bones, organs and tendons and such. No hurt, injury, affliction or disease is so great or so small that you will eventually run into someone else who's suffered from the same thing. And sometimes, just knowing that can ease the pain.
Every little bit helps, but the main problem is so many things can stress the elbow tendons, like cooking, driving, typing on a computer and even shampooing one's hair, that it's hard to truly rest. But at least I've managed to stay off the golf course.
Except for that gorgeous, sunny day in the 60s a couple of weeks ago. I went out to play 9 holes, took two Advil and wore a compression sleeve on my left forearm. I played gingerly and deliberately, in terms of my mental game, and made a great effort to really use my core on the downswing, relying less on my arms, until the very end of the swing when I had to whip through and release. Perhaps because of my increased focus on technique, I hit some of the longest drives I've hit all season.
On a par 4, I hit a great drive and landed a lucky, long second shot to within birdie chance of the hole. I didn't make it, but I holed out for a solid par. I played fairly well, and part of me was tempted to go for 18 holes. But I did the smart thing and stopped.
Since then, I haven't golfed at all and part of me is dying inside. It's gonna be one of the warmest Thanksgiving holidays in recent years, and normally I'd be looking forward to getting in a round. But not this year. Maybe in another month, if I do what I'm supposed to and things go as planned, I will play again. I may even get another shot at birdie. And for that, I am truly thankful.
I pointed to my elbow. "I haven't golfed for awhile," I said. "I have tendonitis."
"Is it tennis elbow or the true golfer's elbow?" she asked.
"Actually, it's neither," I said, impressed that she knew there was a difference. "Just some other kind of tendonitis near my elbow, according to my physical therapist." Although I thought I had tennis elbow from golf, it turns out I don't. However, the treatment has been the same: rest, stretching, strengthening, and some interesting treatments involving paraffin wax and ultrasound. Plus forearm massages.
The woman at the gym knew all about tennis elbow, since she had it in both arms. Hers was not from tennis either, but from her job as a dental hygienist. Her husband has had tennis elbow -- from golf -- for about 3 years. Between the two of them, they've had every treatment in the book, from physical therapy to laser treatments to surgery. They also use the FlexBar, which uses eccentric (say it like "eee-centric") to strengthen the elbow tendons the correct way. My physical therapist has me doing eccentric exercises too, but using a regular 3-lb hand weight and flexing my left wrist down (not up).
Since developing tendonitis in my elbow, I've encountered at least six people who have had it. That's the thing about being human. Physically, humans are generally made of the same stuff: blood, muscles, bones, organs and tendons and such. No hurt, injury, affliction or disease is so great or so small that you will eventually run into someone else who's suffered from the same thing. And sometimes, just knowing that can ease the pain.
Every little bit helps, but the main problem is so many things can stress the elbow tendons, like cooking, driving, typing on a computer and even shampooing one's hair, that it's hard to truly rest. But at least I've managed to stay off the golf course.
Except for that gorgeous, sunny day in the 60s a couple of weeks ago. I went out to play 9 holes, took two Advil and wore a compression sleeve on my left forearm. I played gingerly and deliberately, in terms of my mental game, and made a great effort to really use my core on the downswing, relying less on my arms, until the very end of the swing when I had to whip through and release. Perhaps because of my increased focus on technique, I hit some of the longest drives I've hit all season.
On a par 4, I hit a great drive and landed a lucky, long second shot to within birdie chance of the hole. I didn't make it, but I holed out for a solid par. I played fairly well, and part of me was tempted to go for 18 holes. But I did the smart thing and stopped.
Since then, I haven't golfed at all and part of me is dying inside. It's gonna be one of the warmest Thanksgiving holidays in recent years, and normally I'd be looking forward to getting in a round. But not this year. Maybe in another month, if I do what I'm supposed to and things go as planned, I will play again. I may even get another shot at birdie. And for that, I am truly thankful.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
The Golfing Wounded
One measure of how much a golfer loves golf is whether he or she is willing to play with an injury. The more injured you are and yet still go out and play, the more devoted you are to life's cruelest game. I developed tendonitis in my left elbow a couple of weeks ago. I played a week later, which made it much worse. Then I waited 2 weeks and went out for a round, which I quit after 9 holes due to excruciating pain. I couldn't even pick up an apple without pain shooting up through my left forearm.
But I'm not the most injured golfer I know. One of my playing partners during my last round was a guy who was a week away from hip replacement surgery. He had a brace on his knee too. I once met a guy who was out playing 6 weeks after open-heart surgery. And a few years back, I played with a woman who was 3 months out from hip surgery. I've met golfers recovering from back surgeries, knee injuries, hip spasms, even foot problems. And my current condition of lateral epicondylitis (known as "tennis elbow," ironically enough) is nothing compared to the herniated disk in my neck that put the kabosh on my golf game for over a year, once upon a time.
Golfers with tennis elbow are as common as slices and hooks. The ones I know have told me that it's best to wait till you're pain-free before playing. So I'm trying that route. It's been two weeks and I have been climbing the walls. The weather has been unseasonably good lately too, and those last few warm, sunny days almost had me running to the range. But I didn't. I painted my nails blue instead. Blue to match my mood.
I have an appointment with an occupational therapist this week. I went to the range on Friday and hit about 10 balls. I think I could get through 9 holes tomorrow, especially knowing that I have professional help just a few days away. If I don't play tomorrow, I guess I could just paint my toenails instead.
But I'm not the most injured golfer I know. One of my playing partners during my last round was a guy who was a week away from hip replacement surgery. He had a brace on his knee too. I once met a guy who was out playing 6 weeks after open-heart surgery. And a few years back, I played with a woman who was 3 months out from hip surgery. I've met golfers recovering from back surgeries, knee injuries, hip spasms, even foot problems. And my current condition of lateral epicondylitis (known as "tennis elbow," ironically enough) is nothing compared to the herniated disk in my neck that put the kabosh on my golf game for over a year, once upon a time.
Golfers with tennis elbow are as common as slices and hooks. The ones I know have told me that it's best to wait till you're pain-free before playing. So I'm trying that route. It's been two weeks and I have been climbing the walls. The weather has been unseasonably good lately too, and those last few warm, sunny days almost had me running to the range. But I didn't. I painted my nails blue instead. Blue to match my mood.
I have an appointment with an occupational therapist this week. I went to the range on Friday and hit about 10 balls. I think I could get through 9 holes tomorrow, especially knowing that I have professional help just a few days away. If I don't play tomorrow, I guess I could just paint my toenails instead.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Bad Golf Check List
There are times in a golfer's life when she just can't seem to swing a club without making a bad golf shot. Sometimes the reasons are obvious, and sometimes they're not. But one thing is for sure, the reasons are many and varied.
Are you making bad golf shots? Here is a comprehensive checklist of questions to ask yourself to find out why:
Primary questions:
Are you making bad golf shots? Here is a comprehensive checklist of questions to ask yourself to find out why:
Primary questions:
Are your hands gripped correctly on the club?
Are you standing square to the ball at address?
Are you making a full turn on the backswing?
Are you initiating the downswing with your hips?
Are you sure you're not releasing the club head too early or too late?
If your answers to these questions are all "yes" then move on to...
Secondary questions:
Are you injured?
Are you hungry?
Are you thirsty?
Are you PMS-ing?
Do you have to pee?
Are you thinking about work?
Are you sure you don't need a snack?
If your answers to these questions are all "no" then move on to...
Tertiary questions:
Are you alive?
Are you breathing?
Do you have a golf club in your hand?
Are you playing golf on a day whose name ends in "-day?"
If your answer to any of these questions is "yes," then you've found the reason why you're making bad golf shots. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about the tertiary reasons. Better just have a snack and hope the golf gods look upon you more favorably next time!
Are you making a full turn on the backswing?
Are you initiating the downswing with your hips?
Are you sure you're not releasing the club head too early or too late?
If your answers to these questions are all "yes" then move on to...
Secondary questions:
Are you injured?
Are you hungry?
Are you thirsty?
Are you PMS-ing?
Do you have to pee?
Are you thinking about work?
Are you sure you don't need a snack?
If your answers to these questions are all "no" then move on to...
Tertiary questions:
Are you alive?
Are you breathing?
Do you have a golf club in your hand?
Are you playing golf on a day whose name ends in "-day?"
If your answer to any of these questions is "yes," then you've found the reason why you're making bad golf shots. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about the tertiary reasons. Better just have a snack and hope the golf gods look upon you more favorably next time!
Saturday, September 5, 2015
OMG, I Shot an 89 Today
OMG, I shot an 89 today. I know what you're thinking, big whoop, it's not the the first time. But to tell the truth, my game's been in the toilet all summer, so it was an exciting day for me. I had a good low-90s run in the spring, but I actually haven't broken 90 all year. And finally, today, I did.
I actually woke up with a migraine and the weather was hotter and more humid than advertised, so it didn't start out as a great day for golf. Then hubby and I were stuck behind an older-than-the-hills, slower-than-molasses twosome who moved so slow it was as if they were trying to stop time. And at one point we were joined by a single behind us who drove his cart a little too close to me and unnerved me with his snack wrapper-rustling. After one hole, I told him, "Hey, we're not in any hurry, so why don't you play ahead and try to catch up with the twosome." Of course, that old twosome was stuck behind a foursome, who was stuck behind a walking single stuck behind another slow foursome, and so on.
After the front 9, I was 11 over, so it didn't really seem like anything was going to happen. But then, it did. Because the round was slow, it gave me a lot of time to think about my putts. I actually looked at my putts from behind the ball, in front of the ball, and the side. As a result, I made a bunch of clutch putts for par. Hubby actually complimented me on my putting, and I could see that he meant it. It was sweeter than being given a dozen roses.
Six holes into the back 9, I'd made 4 pars. It's amazing how making pars helps keep your score low. I finished with 6 over on the back 9, which is the lowest I'd ever made on a back 9. 11 + 6 = 17, and 72 + 17 = 89. So I shot an 89. A very good score for me.
Life is good when the golf is good. And when it's bad, life's awful. Here's hoping for the good life... at least for what's left of the season.
I actually woke up with a migraine and the weather was hotter and more humid than advertised, so it didn't start out as a great day for golf. Then hubby and I were stuck behind an older-than-the-hills, slower-than-molasses twosome who moved so slow it was as if they were trying to stop time. And at one point we were joined by a single behind us who drove his cart a little too close to me and unnerved me with his snack wrapper-rustling. After one hole, I told him, "Hey, we're not in any hurry, so why don't you play ahead and try to catch up with the twosome." Of course, that old twosome was stuck behind a foursome, who was stuck behind a walking single stuck behind another slow foursome, and so on.
After the front 9, I was 11 over, so it didn't really seem like anything was going to happen. But then, it did. Because the round was slow, it gave me a lot of time to think about my putts. I actually looked at my putts from behind the ball, in front of the ball, and the side. As a result, I made a bunch of clutch putts for par. Hubby actually complimented me on my putting, and I could see that he meant it. It was sweeter than being given a dozen roses.
Six holes into the back 9, I'd made 4 pars. It's amazing how making pars helps keep your score low. I finished with 6 over on the back 9, which is the lowest I'd ever made on a back 9. 11 + 6 = 17, and 72 + 17 = 89. So I shot an 89. A very good score for me.
Life is good when the golf is good. And when it's bad, life's awful. Here's hoping for the good life... at least for what's left of the season.
Friday, August 14, 2015
The Coolest Vest for Golf
It's mid-August and I've only been playing golf once a week because it's just so darn hot. Next week, temps are predicted to be in the 90s again. My golf buddy Seri has a new accessory to beat the heat, a cooling vest. Cooling vests also called evaporative cooling vests or ice vests in case you want to shop for one. They're used by athletes, construction workers and anyone who spends a lot of time in the hot sun. Ice vests actually have packs of gel cubes sewn in them and you need to freeze them overnight. Seri's cooling vest only needs to be soaked in cold water and it stays hydrated for hours.
And it's kind of a cute look, no?
Now all Seri needs is a matching ice hat and she'll be all set for the rest of summer.
And it's kind of a cute look, no?
Here's a close-up:
Now all Seri needs is a matching ice hat and she'll be all set for the rest of summer.
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