I Played One Of My Best Rounds And I Could Barely Walk … Here’s What I Learned
- Updated: May 1, 2018
Quick backstory
At the end of 2017, I began overhauling my golf swing into hopefully something half decent. It was so over the top, it made me want to puke. Over the course of a decade of not playing consistently, I developed some shitty habits that I chose not to correct because at the time it wasn’t worth it. I was living in New York City working a 9-9 job and barely making enough money to live let alone play golf.
But after a few life changes including leaving that said job and moving across the country to Colorado (did you know pot is legal here?), golf is suddenly priority again … and ironically, not by accident.
Unfortunately, my quest for striking the ball like a real golfer hit a stumbling block at the end of February. As I was trying to hone my craft by hitting several large buckets a day, I slowly developed a literal pain in the ass. That pain is a sciatic nerve issue … and it sucks. If you ever had it, you know what I’m talking about.
After shutting it all down for several weeks, my fabulous chiropractor told me I NEED to play golf to GET BETTER. So I told my lovely wife that I can’t argue with doctor’s orders.
I started at the range with some 50-yard shots, which turned into 75 and 100 yards. While it was uncomfortable and frankly annoying, I learned a valuable lesson – the golf swing is simple.
Every time, I swung within myself I made better contact than when I was healthy. I wasn’t jumping at it, snapping my left leg a la Tiger etc. But the moment I got out of sorts, my body literally would shut down … I’d decelerate, duff it, and the pain would be so bad, I’d think my leg just snapped off. There was no in between.
It was my first round of the season … what could possibly go wrong?!
After I realized I was able to “walk” albeit not great the following day, I decided to hobble over to the golf course and see what happens.
Turns out, nothing. I shot 78 with two double bogeys on both par-3s on the front. I made 12 pars and burned the edge on what felt like every birdie putt. I hit 10 greens and way more fairways than I normally do.
The only difference was distance. Granted the course isn’t long at all, I was 2.5 clubs shorter than normal because of the injury … so logically I took 2.5 clubs more every time. Sure it felt weird, but wow was it effective. On a par-4 I’d hit 6-iron 6-iron and hit the middle of the green.
It was wild. Contact was pure. Not every shot was perfect, but they were close. When I missed a green, I got it up and down. Putting was fine for the first day out. Crazy!
My buddy shot 67. He’s good.
5 things I learned that 100% will help you this season …
Never have expectations
I had no expectations. Zero. Zip. Zilch. None. I could barely walk. It was the first time out all year. I was hoping to make it 9 holes. Playing 18 seemed silly. I figured I’d play until I couldn’t and not push it at all. My buddy took a cart so I threw my bag on it. But I needed to walk … again, doctor’s orders. I didn’t care where it went. I just hit it and hit it again.
Play the game of golf, don’t think it
I didn’t (over)think the game of golf like I normally do, I played it. I took what I was given and never tried to do too much. It was an incredible feeling.
Take more club
When I was in between yardages, I took one more club. Trying to hit it hard wasn’t an option and forced me to not even consider it like I normally would.
Golf isn’t just about hitting the ball
It’s about the motion and process. The body works together to produce your own unique swing … the ball is just in the way.
Keep it simple
Golf really isn’t that complicated. It’s the same swing over and over again. That’s it.
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