Joey's Golf Bag

Last Friday, I played 18 at Tierra Verde Golf Course in Arlington. I shot a 96 (47 on the front, 49 on the back). I hit five fairways and five greens in regulation, had 38 putts total (three 3-putts). My driving was pretty bad, having three penalties off the tee. I only got up and down once. Putting and poor driving off the tee were my major difficulties.

I practiced at Golden Bear Golf Center on Saturday, mainly working on putting, as well as the longer clubs. On Sunday, I practiced at the Hank Haney Golf Ranch in Lewisville. I spent most of practice on the longer clubs and felt I was making progress on them Before I ran out of balls, I was hitting long pitches at one of the nets, and felt a severe twinge in my back. I wasn’t able to finish practicing as the right side of my lower back was throbbing in pain. My muscle spasms were back, the same ones that kept me from playing for two months last year. This time, I went home, put on the TENS machine, took some Aleve and did some stretches. The next day I felt better, but I decided not to hit balls, even though the weather was beautiful.

Last Tuesday, I felt fine, so I went to Golden Bear to hit some balls. I carefully warmed up and stretched. However, I’d hit a few balls with the sand wedge and had moved on to the pitching wedge, and again, had a nasty twinge in my back. Muscle spasm was back. This time, after the TENS machine, Aleve and stretching, I didn’t feel better. In fact, today, I worked from home in an effort to give my back time to heal, as sitting in a chair is painful after a while.

I’ve been diligently stretching my lower back and doing stengthening exercises and I’m beginning to feel better. As I’m scheduled to play golf at Stonebridge on the Hills course next Thursday with customers (in conjunction with the Byron Nelson tournament), I’m not practicing until then. I’ll keep up my stretching and exercises, and if the golf gods permit, I’ll be ready to go by then.

In the meantime, I’m building another driver…