Golf Clubs?! I Got Your Golf Clubs Right Here...Merry Christmas!

In my post a couple weeks ago, I broke some balls about getting fitted for clubs. It was an attempt at being funny about shooting poorly and blaming it on the clubs. I know, I know...I won't quit my day job. Comedy's not my schtick. All jokes aside though, having a set of clubs that you are comfortable with definitely benefits your game. The only problem was that I had to figure it out the hard way.

Growing up with non-golfers, my only exposure to the game consisted of maybe catching Watson, Norman, Strange or Stewart on TV for a hole or two on Sunday afternoon. Oh, wait...I can't forget my mother's cousin, Vincenzo from Jersey, who traveled around with a nine iron in the trunk of his Lincoln Continental. Never quite understood that...nor do I want to. Nevertheless, that little taste of golf was enough to spark a curiosity. The problem was, how do I get started in this game?

Enter Stinky Golfer Greg. He pretty much gave me my first set of clubs. You see, if I asked for a set of clubs for Christmas...well...read the title. Basically, I was on my own. Fast forward 12 years or so and I'm glad it worked out this way. You don't want someone who has never played golf to buy you clubs. Especially me, I'm a lefty. And Greg just happened to have a left-handed friend who bought a new set a few years earlier, but he wasn't using them. That made all the difference for me. Instead of a mix-match set of garage sale clubs, I had a complete set of cavity backs.

Now, in the beginning, your clubs might not make a difference, but as your game develops they will. I'm not saying you have to spend a fortune on clubs, but if you are going to play on a regular basis, I would consider investing in a set and not necessarily settling for a set. Hey, it's the holiday season. Treat yourself or a loved one to the fine game of golf.

Hit'em long...yell Fore!!! Happy Holidays!

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What's Ailing Ya?

In any activity that requires some sort of physical output, also lies a risk of injury. It just so happens that golf falls into this type of activity.

After doing some searching, I found the most common injuries in golf* and was surprised by some on the list. Actually, I've never even heard of some...please excuse my ignorance.

1. Back Pain (this, I understand)

2. Tennis...ahem...Golfer's Elbow

3. Shoulder Pain

4. Carpal Tunnel

5. DeQuervain's Tendinitis - pain in the wrist near the base of the thumb caused by an inflammation in the tendons that control the thumb.

6. Knee Pain

7. Trigger Finger - caused when the flexor tendon sheath, through which the finger tendons run, is inhibited.

8. Wrist Impaction Syndrome - caused when the bones of the wrist bang into one another due to excess or repetitive movements. Ah ha! I know this one...you can get it other ways too...

9. ECU Tendon Sublaxation - caused when the sheath holding the wrist tendon begins sliding in and out of its groove.

10. Fracture of Hamate Bone - a small bone on the pinky side of the wrist. Don't worry Cooter, this has no affect on your bright shiny future of Ham Bonin'.

Now, this also had me thinking about some of the strangest injuries I have experienced or witnessed in the past twelve or so years on the course. It never ceases to amaze me how some of these actually occur. For example, I was walking towards the green from the fairway and in an effort to go over the the rope barrier (signifying where carts are not allowed), I trip. Here's the kicker, somehow the wedge I had in my hand swings up and connects with my ear. Yeah, not too pleasant...WTF!

One of my favorites was when a buddy of mine couldn't get his P wedge to work for the life of him. Either he would flub 3 or 4 chips in a row or skull the crap out of a ball and send it fifty yards over the green. By the 8th or 9th hole, he had enough (if you looked hard enough, you could see steam was coming out of his ears). In a fit of rage, he swung his club baseball style connecting with the rear post of the cart (that supports the roof) bending the wedge in half and with some ridiculous wrap around action, the head comes back to hit him square in the elbow. I still laugh about it.

Hit'em long...Yell FORE!! (oh, and be safe).

* Dr. Larry Foster - "Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries"

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