I Think My Golfing Days are Over. :(

[wrmiller]

I started seriously getting back into golf earlier this year after a short layoff, and was looking forward to playing for years to come. Especially since I am now retired.

 

Then the back and hip issues started. And got worse. I finally had to stop swinging a club about two months ago, as I was having difficulty walking and was to the point where I couldn't even sit on the couch or sleep on my side without some serious hip and sciatic pain.

 

Now, after about two months, I'm pain free. Weird. All I did was stop swinging golf clubs. I can now walk without pain and have not had any lower back/hip/sciatic issues for a couple of weeks now.

 

So I guess I'll use the winter months to take inventory and get my clubs and club building stuff ready for sale when we get closer to spring. And I was having such fun with my MP18s. *sigh*

 

This really sucks, as I have been a hard-core golfer for many, many years. I guess I'll have to bury myself in my pistolsmithing and shooting to make up for the loss. :(

[golfandfishing]

So sorry to hear that, but I’d consult a physician before walking away from a game that clearly brings you fun and joy. Simply taking 2 months off and healing doesn’t mean golf causes your issues, and if it does that there isn’t a way to avoid them with some changes. Doesn’t make sense to self diagnose like that then walk away forever unless you are looking for a reason to not play any longer.

[DavePelz4]

One of the guys in our group is 70 and in a short amount of time went from walking 18 easily to barely being able to swing. Turns out he has a degenerative hip that is basically bone on bone and causing his body to make a ton of compensations. I'd agree with G&F and start with a evaluation by a health professional. Maybe there is something that can be done to get you back to playing AND living a pain free life.

 

Good luck!

[wrmiller]

Long story short, it was necessary for me to take early retirement last year. And I won't have medical until I'm 65, so about another year and a half or so. :)

 

This has been coming for quite a while now (started more than 10 years ago), unfortunately. Before my short hiatus from golf, I was having more and more difficulty walking the golf course and was oftentimes having to quit at the turn because I couldn't walk any more.

 

I had to run some errands yesterday and walked all over the place with no pain. And a smile on my face. A welcome change IMO. :)

[golf_junky]

I know a lot of people say it’s voodoo, but have you tried a Chiropractor?

 

It helped me, I have bulging/herniated disc at L4/L5 and L5/S1 and suffered sciatic pain for years before going see one.

 

 

[wrmiller]

I know a lot of people say it's voodoo, but have you tried a Chiropractor?

 

It helped me, I have bulging/herniated disc at L4/L5 and L5/S1 and suffered sciatic pain for years before going see one.

 

I'm not in any pain, nor do I have any back or hip issues now. What would a Chiropractor 'fix'?

[BlackDiamondPar5]

See a doctor to determine root cause. Also I highly recommend yoga as part of a fitness program. You'd be surprised at how much it can help you.

[wrmiller]

I'm reminded of a joke from long ago (paraphrasing here):

 

Man goes to his doctor and says "Doc, it hurts when I do this". And the Doc replies "Well then don't do that."

 

FYI, I'm not a fan of doctors. Haven't been for some time. My father was killed by one, as was a good friend. Then, when a doctor friend recommended one time that I "never go to a hospital without having your affairs in order" it kinda sunk in. But I digress...

[golf_junky]

Not sure if there is anything one could do. But as others have stated you need to find out the root cause of your problem. Mine took xrays and everything to make sure there wasn’t something more than just my spine being miss aligned.

[Rohlio]

I am a physical therapist... I treat people like you for a living... You are giving up way too easy on this.

 

I hope you get the quality help you need.

 

If you are getting hip and sciatic pain from golf then you definitely have subsymptomatic signs that can be treated.

 

Get your head right man, you have a lot of time left ahead of you if you start working on this now.

[jslane57]

Golf is the only sport I play that truly hurts. I can mountain bike all day, shoot archery, hike, you name it. But golf and my left knee, left wrist, and back begin to hurt from all the golfing in my past. Time away, limited practice, and less golf helps. I can play my weekly 9 hole league just fine, but go for a larger tournament with multiple 18 hole rounds and I'm hurting for a long time. I second seeing your health professionals and working in stretching and conditioning if golf is that important. But I also know that walking away from golf is just fine. There's lots of other things to do in life. Good luck both on and off the golf course!

[wrmiller]

But I also know that walking away from golf is just fine. There's lots of other things to do in life. Good luck both on and off the golf course!

 

Well said Sir. And thank you.

[Need4spd]

To those trying to talk the OP into seeking help, giving it another go, etcetera, it seems pretty obvious based on his comments that he doesn’t have that strong of a desire to continue playing golf.

[wrmiller]

Some folks here need to brush up on their reading comprehension.

 

I love playing golf. When I'm physically able to. I don't like playing in pain though.

 

I have no medical insurance. Nor piles of cash laying around to pay for doctors.

 

And as jslane57 said, there are other things in life to do. :)

[HackerDave]

I started seriously getting back into golf earlier this year after a short layoff, and was looking forward to playing for years to come. Especially since I am now retired.

 

Then the back and hip issues started. And got worse. I finally had to stop swinging a club about two months ago, as I was having difficulty walking and was to the point where I couldn't even sit on the couch or sleep on my side without some serious hip and sciatic pain.

 

Now, after about two months, I'm pain free. Weird. All I did was stop swinging golf clubs. I can now walk without pain and have not had any lower back/hip/sciatic issues for a couple of weeks now.

 

So I guess I'll use the winter months to take inventory and get my clubs and club building stuff ready for sale when we get closer to spring. And I was having such fun with my MP18s. *sigh*

 

This really sucks, as I have been a hard-core golfer for many, many years. I guess I'll have to bury myself in my pistolsmithing and shooting to make up for the loss. :(

 

Whoa there buddy, pump the brakes. Job #1 is to consult your doc to see if something is up. Job #2 if there are no medical issues is to look into yoga (don't laugh) and work on your flexibility. You are a long way from having to make up your mind to quit something you love. I wish you nothing but good luck.

[Ngjg21]

Good luck in your future endeavors!

[HackerDave]

I'm reminded of a joke from long ago (paraphrasing here):

 

Man goes to his doctor and says "Doc, it hurts when I do this". And the Doc replies "Well then don't do that."

 

FYI, I'm not a fan of doctors. Haven't been for some time. My father was killed by one, as was a good friend. Then, when a doctor friend recommended one time that I "never go to a hospital without having your affairs in order" it kinda sunk in. But I digress...

 

Seriously? So you think your life is better off by diagnosing yourself? Good luck with that plan. Ask around. Find a good doc and then make and educated decision.

[HackerDave]

Some folks here need to brush up on their reading comprehension.

 

I love playing golf. When I'm physically able to. I don't like playing in pain though.

 

I have no medical insurance. Nor piles of cash laying around to pay for doctors.

 

And as jslane57 said, there are other things in life to do. :)

 

I think their comprehension is pretty spot on. I hope you live many years pain free. Good luck going forward.

[tatertot]

Some folks here need to brush up on their reading comprehension.

 

I love playing golf. When I'm physically able to. I don't like playing in pain though.

 

I have no medical insurance. Nor piles of cash laying around to pay for doctors.

 

And as jslane57 said, there are other things in life to do. :)

 

Some people can't fathom the thought of not having insurance or medical care at their fingertips ... Buts it's reality for a chunk of the US population, not to mention the world.

 

It is a luxury for some, not a right.

[sdandrea]

Sorry to hear it. Hope it all works out for you. Maybe you can play the game sometime in the future with less frequency. It is a game that can be started or restarted at any age. Best wishes!

[fairways4life]

Why don't you try playing 9 holes with a cart and then put the clubs away for a couple weeks. See how you feel. If you feel okay, try another 9 holes with a cart and then put the clubs away again for another two weeks. See how you feel.

 

You might find that a little bit of golf is okay, just as long as you don't overdo it.

[Justsomeguy]

Best luck. You'll be able to return in moderation if you wish, and life takes so many things away from you as you age, that some friendly advice might be to fight back as best you can, and wish you success.

I bet if you consult docs and get good therapies going you'll see improvements.

[extrastiff]

I'm reminded of a joke from long ago (paraphrasing here):

 

Man goes to his doctor and says "Doc, it hurts when I do this". And the Doc replies "Well then don't do that."

 

FYI, I'm not a fan of doctors. Haven't been for some time. My father was killed by one, as was a good friend. Then, when a doctor friend recommended one time that I "never go to a hospital without having your affairs in order" it kinda sunk in. But I digress...

 

I dunno what a physical therapist is going to do to kill you. but I digress also lol.

 

if you don't wanna play, don't. But if you do, a PT could probably suggest ways to avoid the pain you feel when playing.

 

Vegan, gluten free, yoga, massage, TPDNeedling. . . tons of stuff you can try.

 

or not lol

[jbw749]

Weak hips and lower back pain go hand in hand. The hip flexors connect to the lower back.

We bought one of the highest rated cheap elliptical machines on Amazon $600. It's actually pretty nice for the money. And keeps us from having to go to the gym. But at 64 and retired, might as well go to the gym.

 

Stretch your quads,glutes and hamstrings first and get on the thing for 20 minutes 3 times a week. Go easy your just getting the muscles moving. Really, really good for the hips and back and strengths up the core.

 

I'm 42 and if I dont do some training I get injured. At 64 there should be a tilted balance towards fitness.

 

[BigEx44]

Plus....if you really want to play....

there are so many "alternative" type of swings out there - one of which may be very easy on your body and allow you to keep playing.

I'd be checking all of those out.

[extrastiff]

Some folks here need to brush up on their reading comprehension.

 

I love playing golf. When I'm physically able to. I don't like playing in pain though.

 

I have no medical insurance. Nor piles of cash laying around to pay for doctors.

 

And as jslane57 said, there are other things in life to do. :)

you didn’t include “I’m too broke to get help” in your OP, or im sure we would not have suggested all that.

 

Good luck

[Malvern]

You could move to a communist country with health care for the people

[Hawkeye77]

You could move to a communist country with health care for the people

 

They changed the name to Calgaryvostock? Just teasing, my always incredible friends from up north!

[gatorpedsMD]

Another reason we need universal healthcare.

[pinhigh27]

Another reason we need universal healthcare.

 

So someone who says doctors have killed multiple people he knows can seek medical care? Unlikely.