Coming Back… It’s going to be a process

In case you missed it, I’m back. Golf activities and in particular practice have resumed following all of the health issues of 2023. It really is nice to put all of that in the rear-view mirror.

Coming back I knew wouldn’t be easy, after all I’m not fickle-minded enough to think that it would be. Thinking back, while I was laying in the hospital bed – after the second amputation – I had a couple of thoughts. The first was literally “Am I going to be able to play golf again or should I even bother to play again?”. The second thought that I had – as it related to golf – some time later was “what changes am I going to have to make in my setup and mechanics?”

The latter was something that I ruminated over for the last 5-6 months. I’ve given thought to everything from a focus of learning the game strictly as a left-handed golfer, which is something that admittedly I have dabbled with. For the longest time I’ve been convinced that I would have to employ a “sort-of Gary Player walk-through” which is something that is still very much a consideration. Then there’s considerations as far as the setup is concerned. For example, stacking up on the lead side while placing all of the weight of my trail leg in the right heel and keeping the forefoot – or at least where it was – pointed up Mother Earth”.

In summation, I had a lot of time on my hands and while on sabbatical I had plenty of opportunity to get into my own head. And so… I did!

Since receiving word on Valentine’s Day that the healing had reached its conclusion I’ve been to the driving range on two separate occasions declaring myself “back”. It’s felt really good getting back into the swing of things but at the same time it’s felt awful. At best, it’s felt awkward with no shortage of reasons why.

• A feel player typically I’ve gotten way too mechanical for my own good
• At address something that I can’t explain just feels “foreign”. Then again there is a foreign object where there was nothing before
• Instead of focusing on the quality of the strike (which is very much a focal point) I’m looking for “speed”.
• In looking for speed and the swing itself. In doing so, I’m finding myself alternating between something rotary and a little more vertical. All of which is an attempt to find an efficient way to swing with what I now have.
• I’m too handsy
• One-piece takeaway? What’s that?
• My timing is non-existent
• The “Player Walk-Through” is something that isn’t natural and unless I focus on doing it, it doesn’t happen
• Psychologically, I’m worried that if I don’t do the walk-through I’m going to tear something apart. Or develop more foot ulcers.

By now, you get the gist of what I’m trying to say. My swing is a hot pile of steaming cow dung. Once I get out of my own way – out of my own head – it’ll come. Through hard work and reps it’ll come back, hopefully. It’s all about re-acquainting myself and gaining a semblance of muscle memory.

In trying to find my tempo and timing I will be aggressively employing Lag Shot Golf. That is a training aid that is effective and gives feedback on your swing in real-time.

We have some nice weather to start March and as much as I want to go play 9-holes of golf, there’s no way in Hell that I can do that right now. Ugh! This is going to be a struggle.

Until The Next Tee!!

#fightandgrind #seeuonthenexttee