Information
Is this is really the end!
24/Apr/2021
Am I or am I not going to play golf again?
Well, I think the answer might be no.
The back problem has eased after almost a couple of years of pain, but I'm not sure that golf would be advisable.
What's more, just to compound my problems, I now have something wrong with my right hip that's awaiting diagnosis. Given the state of the NHS post-Covid, if it turns out to be a serious problem I'm not sure how long it would be before something could be done about it.
So, that's where we are and it's not looking very promising.
Well, I think the answer might be no.
The back problem has eased after almost a couple of years of pain, but I'm not sure that golf would be advisable.
What's more, just to compound my problems, I now have something wrong with my right hip that's awaiting diagnosis. Given the state of the NHS post-Covid, if it turns out to be a serious problem I'm not sure how long it would be before something could be done about it.
So, that's where we are and it's not looking very promising.
I'm back, but it might not last
08/Oct/2020
Having posted what was a fairly definitive sign off in May, I can report that I have tried a couple of come-backs. A bit like an ageing artiste who never actually retires.
However, everything is very tentative. I've played a couple of 9-hole games, on 7 and 21 September. On both occasions I started to suffer a bit after around 5 holes but despite that I didn't do too badly.
On the 7 September I recorded a 55 with 15 putts, my putting being truly awful after the long lay off. I actually parred the par 3 third. And my only 8 was on the difficult 4th, largely because we were let through and I rushed things a bit.
On the 21 September things went slightly better overall. I recorded 51 with 17 putts. Once again the putting wasn't great but I parred both the par 3 third and par 3 fifth. An 8 on the 9th spoiled things a bit, but by that stage I was having problems hitting the ball without pain!
Will I play again? With winter coming on I'm not sure. At the moment everywhere is very wet but perhaps if we get a drier spell I might give it a try.
However, everything is very tentative. I've played a couple of 9-hole games, on 7 and 21 September. On both occasions I started to suffer a bit after around 5 holes but despite that I didn't do too badly.
On the 7 September I recorded a 55 with 15 putts, my putting being truly awful after the long lay off. I actually parred the par 3 third. And my only 8 was on the difficult 4th, largely because we were let through and I rushed things a bit.
On the 21 September things went slightly better overall. I recorded 51 with 17 putts. Once again the putting wasn't great but I parred both the par 3 third and par 3 fifth. An 8 on the 9th spoiled things a bit, but by that stage I was having problems hitting the ball without pain!
Will I play again? With winter coming on I'm not sure. At the moment everywhere is very wet but perhaps if we get a drier spell I might give it a try.
Signing off, I think!
09/May/2020
It's now May 2020. We're in lockdown because of Coronavirus and the golf courses are closed. But I haven't played since October last year and my sciatic problems continue to restrict me. I have good days and bad days but what is abundantly clear is that golf would only worsen things.
I didn't rejoin the club this year and am more or less resigned to the fact that my golfing days are over. I'll miss my golfing partners and the beautiful surroundings offered by golf courses. But I probably won't miss the frustration of what must be one of the most difficult participant sports on Earth.
So it's adieu I'm afraid.
I didn't rejoin the club this year and am more or less resigned to the fact that my golfing days are over. I'll miss my golfing partners and the beautiful surroundings offered by golf courses. But I probably won't miss the frustration of what must be one of the most difficult participant sports on Earth.
So it's adieu I'm afraid.
There may be no more golf!
20/Jul/2019
I'm sad to say that the problem with my back and the resulting sciatica has kept me off the golf course, and the way things are looking it's seeming more and more likely that I won't return.
Although things have improved since I stopped playing, any unguarded twist of the body can result in severe sciatic pain. Pain killers relieve it but that isn't a cure.
I miss the company and the beautiful surroundings offered by golf courses but I can't ignore an unwilling body.
Although things have improved since I stopped playing, any unguarded twist of the body can result in severe sciatic pain. Pain killers relieve it but that isn't a cure.
I miss the company and the beautiful surroundings offered by golf courses but I can't ignore an unwilling body.