Tiger - Another Back Surgery, Out at Least 6 Months

[tbowles411]

Very sad day for the game. Despite the haters that seem to congregate on this forum, golf without tiger won't be the same.

Golf has been without Tiger for a couple of years now and has been just fine.

Fine perhaps, but still, it won't be the same.

Lol, I was about to reply but scrolled down first and saw your post. Does anyone really think the tour is happy with "just fine" versus "with Tiger"? Really?

Eventually, the PGA Tour will need another guy to hitch their wagon to. They keep trying to push someone out there. First McIlroy, then Speith, then Day, now Johnson. None of them have the impact Tiger does, even in his dismal state at the moment. It doesn't bring the same eyes and definitely doesn't bring the same punch. We watch it. We cheer, but your weekend, casual guy isn't interested. That's just the truth, no matter how many try to argue otherwise. Eventually, TV will probably want to renegotiate the contracts to pull some money back until one dominant guy steps up and does his thing. Until then, there are some that will continue to be fine with "fine." TV doesn't want "fine." The PGA Tour doesn't want that either. You have rookies and long time veterans that no one knows winning now. We know who Wes Bryan is. No one else does. I bet there are only a few maniacs on this board who could reel off winners this year without help looking it up.

 

Golf just isn't doing it for the majority of fans. Until a guy steps up, it's going to suffer.

[kylesilk]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

[tbowles411]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

His dad had a heart condition and it kept trying to kill him until it did. That might have just a "little" to do with wanting to try to stay healthy.

[buckeyefl]

Ok...o I've talked to my neuro guy and he says an L to S fusion is bad news because "there goes his rotation."

 

FYI: My neuro is a good friend and golfer....and he can play.

 

I surely hope he's wrong.

Have him talk to Lanny Watkins.

[mresmond]

I haven't posted anything on a forum in a long long time but I can relate to this article. I am 36 and had the L5 S1 fusion. I am having the instrumentation out in a couple months because it is believed to be causing irritation in the muscles of my back.

People should go read about back surgeries and the one's Tiger has had. The fusion is the last option. His progression to the fusion is, I believe, a very common end for people that have had the discectomy procedure(s). I have no respect for the man's personal life, but I feel for him with how the back has changed his life. I was a pretty good golfer, always carrying my back, and I was also into natural bodybuilding, where I was able to reach the goal of becoming a natural professional. My back caved in 2009 and finally had the lumbar fusion at the end of 2015. I was basically bone on bone at L5 S1. I have 2 very young kids which have been affected by it, and crying at night because of the pain and not being able to do anything made the decision for me.

Tiger right now is using a walker most likely. "out at least 6 months" is not a real statement. He shouldn't touch a club or start rehab for 3 months, and then at least that much time rehabbing. More rehab/harder does not work. His body is growing bone right now to replace a disc. He has always said it right when he talked about every back surgery is different. His entire back is different now. It won't just affect his lower back, but his entire spine.

I was pulling so hard for him to live a somewhat pain free life, because I am in the same spot. This makes me sad for my personal reasons. People that make comments, but have not gone through this have no idea.

[buckeyefl]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

You mean his dad who was much older and a Special Forces soldier with who knows how many jumps or how many miles carrying his bodyweight on his back?

[Shilgy]

Very sad day for the game. Despite the haters that seem to congregate on this forum, golf without tiger won't be the same.

Golf has been without Tiger for a couple of years now and has been just fine.

Fine perhaps, but still, it won't be the same.

Lol, I was about to reply but scrolled down first and saw your post. Does anyone really think the tour is happy with "just fine" versus "with Tiger"? Really?

Eventually, the PGA Tour will need another guy to hitch their wagon to. They keep trying to push someone out there. First McIlroy, then Speith, then Day, now Johnson. None of them have the impact Tiger does, even in his dismal state at the moment. It doesn't bring the same eyes and definitely doesn't bring the same punch. We watch it. We cheer, but your weekend, casual guy isn't interested. That's just the truth, no matter how many try to argue otherwise. Eventually, TV will probably want to renegotiate the contracts to pull some money back until one dominant guy steps up and does his thing. Until then, there are some that will continue to be fine with "fine." TV doesn't want "fine." The PGA Tour doesn't want that either. You have rookies and long time veterans that no one knows winning now. We know who Wes Bryan is. No one else does. I bet there are only a few maniacs on this board who could reel off winners this year without help looking it up.

 

Golf just isn't doing it for the majority of fans. Until a guy steps up, it's going to suffer.

Well said T. It does remind me, a lot, of the tour right before Tiger came along. Great golf was being played but there was no one that really stood out. If Norman was not snake bit/ could close and won those majors he lost he might have been the guy. But he just came close and others did not have the "it" factor. Same with the tour right now. No one is arguing that the players are not good. Or even "fine" as a few posts above. :) But no one out there is grabbing the publics attention yet. And I add the yet on purpose as the tour needs an image/attraction/face of the tour. Baseball has a lot of young stars as does the NBA. Football has them but the league spits them out so fast it seems we root for the team, not the player. But golf right now? Bunch of guys taking turns and none of them seem to want the spotlight. Not that I really blame them really after seeing what Tiger goes through. But someone will come along, hopefully soon.

[JoeyD12]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

His dad had a heart condition and it kept trying to kill him until it did. That might have just a "little" to do with wanting to try to stay healthy.

 

You're right.... "little". I believe kylesilk said the dude could barely WALK.

 

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

You mean his dad who was much older and a Special Forces soldier with who knows how many jumps or how many miles carrying his bodyweight on his back?

 

There are plenty of spec-ops guys that live well into their 80s and 90s and get around just fine.....

[bscinstnct]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

His dad had a heart condition and it kept trying to kill him until it did. That might have just a "little" to do with wanting to try to stay healthy.

 

You're right.... "little". I believe kylesilk said the dude could barely WALK.

 

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

You mean his dad who was much older and a Special Forces soldier with who knows how many jumps or how many miles carrying his bodyweight on his back?

 

There are plenty of spec-ops guys that live well into their 80s and 90s and get around just fine.....

 

Rofl. No matter what anyone says, there is always an argument....

 

 

 

"Earl did two combat tours in Vietnam, could have impacted him."

 

 

"So?, I know plenty of guys who hit Normandy and can still climb the cargo net"

 

; )

[lumberman2462]

Ok...o I've talked to my neuro guy and he says an L to S fusion is bad news because "there goes his rotation."

 

FYI: My neuro is a good friend and golfer....and he can play.

 

I surely hope he's wrong.

Have him talk to Lanny Watkins.

 

Did Lanny have fusion?

 

[youraway2]

I haven't posted anything on a forum in a long long time but I can relate to this article. I am 36 and had the L5 S1 fusion. I am having the instrumentation out in a couple months because it is believed to be causing irritation in the muscles of my back.

People should go read about back surgeries and the one's Tiger has had. The fusion is the last option. His progression to the fusion is, I believe, a very common end for people that have had the discectomy procedure(s). I have no respect for the man's personal life, but I feel for him with how the back has changed his life. I was a pretty good golfer, always carrying my back, and I was also into natural bodybuilding, where I was able to reach the goal of becoming a natural professional. My back caved in 2009 and finally had the lumbar fusion at the end of 2015. I was basically bone on bone at L5 S1. I have 2 very young kids which have been affected by it, and crying at night because of the pain and not being able to do anything made the decision for me.

Tiger right now is using a walker most likely. "out at least 6 months" is not a real statement. He shouldn't touch a club or start rehab for 3 months, and then at least that much time rehabbing. More rehab/harder does not work. His body is growing bone right now to replace a disc. He has always said it right when he talked about every back surgery is different. His entire back is different now. It won't just affect his lower back, but his entire spine.

I was pulling so hard for him to live a somewhat pain free life, because I am in the same spot. This makes me sad for my personal reasons. People that make comments, but have not gone through this have no idea.

Good comments, thanks for someone who knows from experience.

 

Plus the videos listed previously show you have extensive the surgery really is. Scary!

[BoogieThumper]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

His dad had a heart condition and it kept trying to kill him until it did. That might have just a "little" to do with wanting to try to stay healthy.

 

You're right.... "little". I believe kylesilk said the dude could barely WALK.

 

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

You mean his dad who was much older and a Special Forces soldier with who knows how many jumps or how many miles carrying his bodyweight on his back?

 

There are plenty of spec-ops guys that live well into their 80s and 90s and get around just fine.....

:russian_roulette:

[BeautifulNice]

DJ's driving at Oakmont was like nothing i've ever seen before. Love watching him play. He could be the next guy. but he's never going to dance around the green, fist pumping, yelling, willing himself to win. He doesn't have the glare. What DJ, Spieth and Rory lack is that force-of-nature quality that was Prime Tiger. Just no one like him in today's stable of great players.

[Disco Dave]

And he had a fusion. That isn't good for a golf swing. Decreased mobility, added stress on the discs above and below the fusion. Tough road ahead for him.

 

it was on the very bottom, there are no discs below the fusion he got

 

I didn't see the level originally, I just saw the snippet on the Valero coverage and they did t mention it. That does help that it is L5-S1.

 

The lumbar vertebrae rotate more or less together, compared to the thoracic vertebrae which rotate more independently. It's the bending that will possibly be more of a problem with one less bendable joint.

[ignitewvu]

Tiger is finished......4 serious back surgeries??? 4????

 

I have a bad back & neck, but I adjusted.....started doing Yoga, Strengthening my core, even going to a Chiro instead of surgery.

 

6 Month later I'm hitting the ball better than I have in years & I'm back in the gym.

 

He has to realize surgeries will not work & he has to be able to cope with the pain which Yoga/core work will help do. His ego is letting Dr's convince him he can get back to 95% the truth is he will never be 75% at surgery 4. He needs to retire & go one with life cause his golf career has been over for a while & now the nail has been driven in.

[hurricanes7]

http://www.golf.com/...te-ongoing-pain

 

 

tiger and ian on the hooters tour next year

[Shilgy]

Tiger is finished......4 serious back surgeries??? 4????

 

I have a bad back & neck, but I adjusted.....started doing Yoga, Strengthening my core, even going to a Chiro instead of surgery.

 

6 Month later I'm hitting the ball better than I have in years & I'm back in the gym.

 

He has to realize surgeries will not work & he has to be able to cope with the pain which Yoga/core work will help do. His ego is letting Dr's convince him he can get back to 95% the truth is he will never be 75% at surgery 4. He needs to retire & go one with life cause his golf career has been over for a while & now the nail has been driven in.

You may be correct about he is finished. But unless you have inside scoops and access to his medical files the rest is 100% conjecture. I really doubt that yoga would have cured him and he opted for surgery instead.

[jimb6golf]

That's really too bad for Tiger. Until you have a really bad back you cannot appreciate the blinding pain that results when you get a severe case of sciatica and/ or a pinched nerve. It's crippling. He will have very tough road bad to professional golf and I can't see him getting back to championship form any time soon, maybe never. Never heard of anyone getting 4 surgeries either.

 

And did you see who spouted off almost as fast as Tiger announced his latest surgery? Of course if was Hank Haney. He just can't stop himself from sounding off like the know it all he is. When will this guy just close his yap anyway? Even though he hasn't worked with Tiger for 7-8 years he's apparently still an expert of what Tiger is thinking. Wow he must be a mind reader.

 

Hope Tiger recovers soon and who knows maybe comes back to competitive golf. Not that I want him to break Jack's record but it was interesting have him in the hunt.

[bscinstnct]

Tiger is finished......4 serious back surgeries??? 4????

 

I have a bad back & neck, but I adjusted.....started doing Yoga, Strengthening my core, even going to a Chiro instead of surgery.

 

6 Month later I'm hitting the ball better than I have in years & I'm back in the gym.

 

He has to realize surgeries will not work & he has to be able to cope with the pain which Yoga/core work will help do. His ego is letting Dr's convince him he can get back to 95% the truth is he will never be 75% at surgery 4. He needs to retire & go one with life cause his golf career has been over for a while & now the nail has been driven in.

 

Nice. Now, if you just eat some quinoa

 

I bet you win a Major ; )

[KYMAR]

That's really too bad for Tiger. Until you have a really bad back you cannot appreciate the blinding pain that results when you get a severe case of sciatica and/ or a pinched nerve. It's crippling. He will have very tough road bad to professional golf and I can't see him getting back to championship form any time soon, maybe never. Never heard of anyone getting 4 surgeries either.

 

And did you see who spouted off almost as fast as Tiger announced his latest surgery? Of course if was Hank Haney. He just can't stop himself from sounding off like the know it all he is. When will this guy just close his yap anyway? Even though he hasn't worked with Tiger for 7-8 years he's apparently still an expert of what Tiger is thinking. Wow he must be a mind reader.

 

Hope Tiger recovers soon and who knows maybe comes back to competitive golf. Not that I want him to break Jack's record but it was interesting have him in the hunt.

 

Can I have a popsicle?

[DavePelz4]

Ok...o I've talked to my neuro guy and he says an L to S fusion is bad news because "there goes his rotation."

 

FYI: My neuro is a good friend and golfer....and he can play.

 

I surely hope he's wrong.

Have him talk to Lanny Watkins.

 

It would be even better if he talked to Lanny Wadkins.

[tannyhoban]

Very sad day for the game. Despite the haters that seem to congregate on this forum, golf without tiger won't be the same.

Golf has been without Tiger for a couple of years now and has been just fine.

Fine perhaps, but still, it won't be the same.

Lol, I was about to reply but scrolled down first and saw your post. Does anyone really think the tour is happy with "just fine" versus "with Tiger"? Really?

Eventually, the PGA Tour will need another guy to hitch their wagon to. They keep trying to push someone out there. First McIlroy, then Speith, then Day, now Johnson. None of them have the impact Tiger does, even in his dismal state at the moment. It doesn't bring the same eyes and definitely doesn't bring the same punch. We watch it. We cheer, but your weekend, casual guy isn't interested. That's just the truth, no matter how many try to argue otherwise. Eventually, TV will probably want to renegotiate the contracts to pull some money back until one dominant guy steps up and does his thing. Until then, there are some that will continue to be fine with "fine." TV doesn't want "fine." The PGA Tour doesn't want that either. You have rookies and long time veterans that no one knows winning now. We know who Wes Bryan is. No one else does. I bet there are only a few maniacs on this board who could reel off winners this year without help looking it up.

 

Golf just isn't doing it for the majority of fans. Until a guy steps up, it's going to suffer.

 

Ya know, for some reason I don't see me watching more or less pre-Tiger, during Tiger or post Tiger. It just doesn't matter. And whether ratings are up or down has zero bearing on my golf. My golf comes first. So basically this is a non issue from where I stand.

[DtheV]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

His dad had a heart condition and it kept trying to kill him until it did. That might have just a "little" to do with wanting to try to stay healthy.

 

You're right.... "little". I believe kylesilk said the dude could barely WALK.

 

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

You mean his dad who was much older and a Special Forces soldier with who knows how many jumps or how many miles carrying his bodyweight on his back?

 

There are plenty of spec-ops guys that live well into their 80s and 90s and get around just fine.....

 

And there are plenty more who do not. How many "spec-ops guys" do you personally know? I happen to know quite a few. Most have issues.

[mresmond]

I haven't posted anything on a forum in a long long time but I can relate to this article. I am 36 and had the L5 S1 fusion. I am having the instrumentation out in a couple months because it is believed to be causing irritation in the muscles of my back.

People should go read about back surgeries and the one's Tiger has had. The fusion is the last option. His progression to the fusion is, I believe, a very common end for people that have had the discectomy procedure(s). I have no respect for the man's personal life, but I feel for him with how the back has changed his life. I was a pretty good golfer, always carrying my back, and I was also into natural bodybuilding, where I was able to reach the goal of becoming a natural professional. My back caved in 2009 and finally had the lumbar fusion at the end of 2015. I was basically bone on bone at L5 S1. I have 2 very young kids which have been affected by it, and crying at night because of the pain and not being able to do anything made the decision for me.

Tiger right now is using a walker most likely. "out at least 6 months" is not a real statement. He shouldn't touch a club or start rehab for 3 months, and then at least that much time rehabbing. More rehab/harder does not work. His body is growing bone right now to replace a disc. He has always said it right when he talked about every back surgery is different. His entire back is different now. It won't just affect his lower back, but his entire spine.

I was pulling so hard for him to live a somewhat pain free life, because I am in the same spot. This makes me sad for my personal reasons. People that make comments, but have not gone through this have no idea.

Good comments, thanks for someone who knows from experience.

 

Plus the videos listed previously show you have extensive the surgery really is. Scary!

Thanks for reading.

The people talking "loss of motion" and "it is better that it is at the bottom of the spine" don't get it. His L4 is going to take a beating. The typical quote is that once you have a fusion, especially at that level, you will likely need another one every 10 years at the level above. I talked with my surgeon about this and he said, if I remember exactly, there will be a 3-5% degrading per year in the level above the fusion for the typical person. Fit people might be able to hold this off, but it is hard to be fit when you are in pain and can't do the movements that are suppose to help you.

[bigred90gt]

Tiger is finished......4 serious back surgeries??? 4????

 

I have a bad back & neck, but I adjusted.....started doing Yoga, Strengthening my core, even going to a Chiro instead of surgery.

 

6 Month later I'm hitting the ball better than I have in years & I'm back in the gym.

 

He has to realize surgeries will not work & he has to be able to cope with the pain which Yoga/core work will help do. His ego is letting Dr's convince him he can get back to 95% the truth is he will never be 75% at surgery 4. He needs to retire & go one with life cause his golf career has been over for a while & now the nail has been driven in.

 

you do realize that not every back injury is treatable effectively with chiro and yoga, right?

[Bob57]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

You mean his dad who was much older and a Special Forces soldier with who knows how many jumps or how many miles carrying his bodyweight on his back?

 

Slight exaggeration. No human in modern history is capable of carrying their own body weight. Tiger (the animal), lowland gorilla, and many insects are capable of carrying their body weight and more but not any humans..

 

I wonder when Tiger is going to abandon his pursuit of returning to 30 years old physically. How many times have these doctors proclaimed the operation a complete success. Keep it up and he will end up like Bobby Jones in a wheelchair..

[drewtaylor21]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

You mean his dad who was much older and a Special Forces soldier with who knows how many jumps or how many miles carrying his bodyweight on his back?

 

Slight exaggeration. No human in modern history is capable of carrying their own body weight. Tiger (the animal), lowland gorilla, and many insects are capable of carrying their body weight and more but not any humans....

 

Wait, what? I'm sure I'm misunderstanding you, but this sounds like you believe no one can walk around with added weight equal to their own bw....

[playa]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

You mean his dad who was much older and a Special Forces soldier with who knows how many jumps or how many miles carrying his bodyweight on his back?

 

Slight exaggeration. No human in modern history is capable of carrying their own body weight. Tiger (the animal), lowland gorilla, and many insects are capable of carrying their body weight and more but not any humans..

 

I wonder when Tiger is going to abandon his pursuit of returning to 30 years old physically. How many times have these doctors proclaimed the operation a complete success. Keep it up and he will end up like Bobby Jones in a wheelchair..

Bobby Jones was in a wheel chair? Never heard that.

[buckeyefl]

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

His dad had a heart condition and it kept trying to kill him until it did. That might have just a "little" to do with wanting to try to stay healthy.

 

You're right.... "little". I believe kylesilk said the dude could barely WALK.

 

I dont think Tiger has very good genetics. I know training wrong did not help at all, but genetics I believe is the most important factor for anything healthwise. His dad could barely walk it looked like when they showed him on TV. What was he, early to mid 70's. Maybe he was just destined to have a short, but very bright, career.

You mean his dad who was much older and a Special Forces soldier with who knows how many jumps or how many miles carrying his bodyweight on his back?

 

There are plenty of spec-ops guys that live well into their 80s and 90s and get around just fine.....

 

Lol. First of all everyone is different and everyones experience is different but you are fooling yourself if you think bad knees and backs aren't the norm.

 

Also the comment I responded to was ridiculous and devoid of facts and context.

[Trap Junior]

Just stop telling lies and misleading people deliberately and it may shut some people up. He said in Feb he felt good in an interview. (lie) He said that it was a just a back spasm or Steinberg did (lie). They said he would be back to competition soon (lie). Tiger said he tried to get his game ready for the Masters and it just wasn't tournament ready. He was hitting balls a few days ago in public. The next day has surgery lol. All this nonsense is why I am sick of him.

 

Just say that 'I am in pain and unfortunately my rehab isn't going as well as expected and may need further surgery,.'' Stop all the BS.

 

Plus if you are hanging out with Doctors like Galea you cant expect much sympathy. That is one very very dodgy association and you would have to be a fool and naive to believe that nothing went on there.