Don’t let anyone tell you that golf is a gentle sport – it’s tiring!
Yes, I have succumbed to this thoroughly addictive pursuit. I now understand what people who have played the game for years mean when they say: there’ll always be one or two good shots that will tempt you back for your next round.
I’ve only been playing golf for two months but I’m already hooked. I’m the sort of person who needs to be serious about a new challenge – there’s no point getting involved if you’re not dedicated to the cause.
So I took some good advice from a few people who know about these things and joined a great local club, The Kendleshire at Coalpit Heath. It’s an excellent club and very friendly although, as a pure beginner, the course has a few too many water features for my liking. There are some wonderful lakes to hit balls into.
I already had some clubs from a previous venture into golf but, naturally, I had to invest in all the latest gear and an electric trolley. At this point, I know what you’re thinking: here’s someone who has all the gear but no idea.
Well, to some extent that may be true but I have gained a fair bit of knowledge just by talking to and treating hundreds of my golfing chiropractic patients. And I’ve been learning the hard way that golf is a game you need to work on if you want to achieve maximum enjoyment from it.
I’m in the early stages of playing just nine holes at a time rather than the full 18. I have to admit I was exhausted after that first game, both mentally and physically. It must be getting easier though, as I don’t feel the need to drive around in a buggy anymore!
So clearly I’m in no position to offer any true golfing advice but I do know that warming up before stepping on to that first tee is an absolute must. I’m sure many golfers rush to the course and don’t have time to limber up beforehand.
But I would say it’s with giving yourself an extra 10 minutes to prepare properly, even it’s just a bit of stretching, to warm up some of the many muscles you’ll need to perform properly during what might be a four-hour round.
With the sort of hot weather we’ve been enjoying, it’s also extremely important to make sure the sun cream is liberally applied – and don’t forget to pack your golf bag with healthy drinks and snacks, so you don’t run out of energy.
On a personal note, I also need to take a generous supply of golf balls…
My thoracic spine and my ribs have taken took a pounding, especially when I hit the ground with my 7 iron. But I have to say that chiropractic is amazing for easing the movement through your spine – this will help you to make a full, pain-free swing.
Did I mention that moment when, maybe after a less than successful game, you hit a really good shot and that’s the one you remember when you look back over your round?
I was lucky enough – well maybe there was a little bit of skill involved – to get very close to a hole-in-one on a par 3 hole. My more experienced playing partners, Steve and Paul were even more surprised than me…and then they did the same, high elbows all round!
Were our shots a fluke? The only way to find out is to go back and try again. Happy golfing!
(Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash)
