WaffleHouseTour
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Posts posted by WaffleHouseTour
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I leave them all behind…
The grounds crew is always leaving balls they find in little piles on the tee boxes; and I just search for a broken tee on the par threes. If there is no broken one, it only momentarily.
Why take a ball I don’t play and put into action? I suppose if it was a yellow Orcore Verox or a Yellow Pro V, then I might grab it. But all those seem to be hit far into the junk they’ll never be found. -
I’ve had my current irons for three seasons, and replaced the shafts at the end of last season. If they are working, why change? I’m not looking for length but accuracy and better contact. It’s my swing that needs fixing.
After reading the MGS article I sharpened the grooves on my Gap and Pitching wedge. Extend their life a bit.
All that said, those Cobra forged Tec were very tempting. If they ever release another Black forged Tec that may do it for me. -
For the most part I’ve had great experiences w caddies. Had two guys over six rounds at Bandon. Awesome. Figured out my game and helped immensely. Had the same guy for Sand Valley and Mamouth - again figured out my game and played accordingly.
got to be honest with them. I don’t like to putt form way off the green even if that’s the smart shot. I can’t do it. So we figured out a compromise - a bump and run w an 8. But not lobs.
I always tell them we are going to play smart. So don’t let me hit the hero shot, help me hit the smart shot.
only one bad experience - preview play at Sand Valley and the guy was a little hung over. It was just weird all day.
but I’ll take a caddie any time I can. When you talk your way onto some private clubs that’s often the deal - I think he’s there to make sure you keep up and don’t do something stupid…
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There are a couple threads out there asking about how soon people were able to golf again after hip replacement surgery. As I’m about to undergo it myself I thought I’d chronicle my journey.
As everyone is unique and as always your mileage may very… a bit about me. I am 55 years old and weight 165 pounds. A couple of key things that should aid in my recovery: I do a hot yoga class and an ashtanga yoga class every week; and I’m a walker when I play golf three or four times a week when in season. On those days I can’t play golf, and in the off season I use the elliptical machine for forty minutes in the morning.
My hip has been bad for 55 years. Yes, you read that right. Dislocated at birth I was in traction as a baby. It’s was ok and I was pain free until my late forties. However I ended up having a short leg on my left side. Chiropractor took one look at me and said I was uneven and have been wearing a heel lift for years. The last few years have not been good. I see a massage therapist with increasing regularity. I always thought it was just my muscles that ached — my psoas, iliacus, hip flexors, piriformis, abductors…all on just my left side. Turns out they are all just trying to protect and compensate for that hip. Finally asked my doctor to take a look at my hip and very first glance he said “square peg, round hole. You need a new one” and he sent me off to my first surgeon.
What kind of surgery?
Surgeon Number One took one look and agreed. Question was when did I want to do it, and how long would it last. Again, I’m 55… To see if surgery would improve things he put me one a prescription of celebrex. Day two and I could feel an amazing difference.
Surgeon One does Posterior hip replacement surgeries - ie., they come in from the back side. A couple of the ladies in my yoga class are nurses at the surgery center and in talking with them about it they encouraged my to check out someone who did an Anterior surgery, where they come in from the front. I didn’t know there were two kinds so I started to do some reading. Sure enough two different ways of replacing the hip joint and because of the muscles they have to go through they each have their own limitations and restrictions. Imagine if something goes wrong your hip could be dislocated either forwards or backwards - so what kind of movements need to be restricted to prevent that.
So I went back to Surgeon One and we talked about posterior vs anterior. Much of what I read indicates that anterior has a faster recovery time and few restrictions. Surgeon One disputes that - that ultimately the complication factor is minuscule and eventually the limitations are about the same. So then I sat on the floor and went through some yoga moves asking could I do this or that. The first thing I did was put my legs in lotus position - “why would you even want to do that?” was the response and I knew I had to investigate Anterior.
There is only one surgeon where I live that does Anterior, so I met with Surgeon Number Two. He admitted he hadn’t had anyone ask him about yoga so I’d be a bit of a Guinea pig, but after watching what I wanted to do he had a few restrictions and said the rest should be fine. The poses he wanted to restrict were not ones I really like anyway, and most of my ashtanga practice should be relatively ok. So we’ll see. He also looked at my x-ray and thought he could help with my short leg. No promises, but he talked about having a couple of different prosthetic implants; one larger that could be inserted into my thigh bone to lengthen my leg. It will literally be a game day decision once they get inside - but I’m really hopeful he can attend to that.
All of that was back in November and December of 2021. I cannot take off work from January through May (that’s when I make my living) and I didn’t want to risk trying to squeeze it in without ample time for recovery. So that pushed it off until spring. Well, I didn’t want to miss out on any of the golf season… so that meant waiting until fall. So here we are. Scheduled for surgery two weeks after the Prairie Club closes and I know we’ll have had a couple of hard frosts and the days are getting short.
During the course of the last year while waiting Ive been on celbrex everyday, and been seeing my massage therapist every two weeks.
7 Days Until Surgery
I’m not allowed to take my multi vitamin, or any of my supplements (glucausemine, zinc, potassium) or my celebrex. Reason being they don’t know what’s in the vitamins and some have fish oil which is a blood thinner - so only prescription medicine. But no celbrex, or any IB profen. Only Tylenol. I could tell a difference within 48 hours….
They encourage a more high fiber diet. The idea being that surgery can cause bowel obstructions and post surgery the pain meds can cause constipation. So lots of whole grains, fruits and veggies. They also want you hydrated - so cut back on caffeine (didn’t do that) and drink more water (did do that).
A week out I was supposed to start my rehab exercises. Honestly I thought these were extremely mild. Much less than what I do on a daily basis between my regular routines and yoga - but I checked the box with ankle pumps, heel slides, abduction moves quad arcs. I’m sure it will be more challenging post surgery.
I know I’m not the typical hip replacement candidate - a lot younger and more active.
Four Days Before Surgery
Blood work, typing and labs. All the directions in when to stop eating, drinking, and getting the surgical wash.
One Day Before Surgery
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. 6 pm and at 9m I drink a bottle of PreSurgery Ensure - a clear carbohydrate drink. No eating or drinking anything but water after 10pm. Before going to bed shower with half a bottle of the presurgical wash
We borrowed one of those push walkers and a grabber from my mother in law. Will get a cane later this afternoon. SheWhoMustBeObeyed and I have different opinions on how much assistance I’m going to need. We’ll see…
Day of SurgeryUp at 5, drink a third bottle of Ensure before 5:45. Use the rest of the presurgical wash and shower. Checked in to surgery center at 6:45 - two hours of paper work, answering questions, and waiting. Walked into the surgical suite carrying my IV drip bag right at 9.
Apparently took just under two hours.
So here is something I wasn’t expecting - had to shave - wish I could have done that at home…
Post Op… 2pm
So everything went well. I should be more level and balanced now… (I’m about half an inch short in the left and he extended my leg a quarter of an inch or so - so we’ll see how that plays out.).
Side note - I’ve been keeping track of how many nurses, aides, doctors, etc I’ve seen - 11 so far. No wonder healthcare and insurance is so expensive… anyway first thing I asked for in the recovery room was a diet my dew… and they had one. A little groggy - but it’s been three hours and I’m typing away here.
To put me out it was a spinal and something to sleep. I remember talking w the Doc in the operating room and asking for my x rays - and then it was waking up in recovery. Been making a game of try the get the spirameter to the top (the thing you blow into to help your lungs recover) and been doing toe pumps and kneee bends. A few abductors, but can’t lift the leg yet. Already been warned by the nurse not to over due it because I’ll set myself back. SheWhomustBeObeyed said “I told him…”
And by 2:40 I’m able to lift the leg and roll over onto my side. My butt still feels numb and achy/sore. But all I’ve had are two Tylenol and it’s minimal pain
Doctor says no driving for two weeks and and no yard work for 6 weeks - wants to keep me on something smooth and level. Not sure who’ll be raking those leaves…
I’m not sure how large the incision is, but the dressing is only as long as my hand and is on the top left of my thigh running straight up and down. It’s a new kind of dressing this hospital has been using for the last year it looks like a piece of grey foam padding and then it’s covered in plastic. No changing the dressing myself, not worrying about it in the shower. It will stay on until the doctor removes it during a follow up visit.
3:15 pm and they have me sitting up, then standing, then marching in place. Afterwards I’m sitting w iPhone in hand… fighting boredom.
5pm - off for the first walk. Feeling no pain - but they tell me that’s still the anesthesia - but I feel some numbness along the side of my thigh and it’s bit stiff. I sat in the chair for a couple hours so straightening the leg is good as it feels stiff. A bit swollen on that side - right where the IT band is. But walked 3/4 of the hall and back.
During the course of the evening I made two more loops around the ward. Got easier and went the full distance in the second loop. Harder on the third. This is when the leg started to feel heavy. More difficult to lift. By 11 I was content just walking to the bathroom. The anesthesia has finally warn off. Still, it’s 11 and all of had are four extra strength Tylenol and something to reduce inflammation (2x) and an antibiotic (2x). I’m promised a 2 am visit, but I usually wake up around then anyway.All in all, pretty good day.
I’ll edit and update this post, and during my recovery documenting how things go on the road to recovery and return to the golf course. Exercises, rehab and how the swing etc respond. I have high hopes and am very optimistic.
- MacTourney, GolfSpy_APH, Kenny B and 2 others
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Berg Golf - always push the first red line into the ground…
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We’ve all been there, done that, got the t-shirt…
Find yourself a good coach/pro to help you figure out a game plan for improvement.
Into podcasts? Give the ParTrain a try all about the mental game and managing expectation. Start w episodes 100 or 200 - outtakes from the previous set. Will give you a flavor to see if it’s something you’d like.- sirchunksalot, JerryB and edingc
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I've got $20 on Kirke. Any takers?
- GolfSpy TCB and GolfSpy MPR
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Thanks for this. Very timely with the winter/indoor/recover/rebuild season upon us. I've been looking at this. Three questions:
1) how much space do you need for the trainer and the band? For someone who wants to do it at home, and has limited space - how much do you need?
2) other equipment used, or just their trainer and band?
3) cost per month?
- GolfSpy_APH, cksurfdude and fozcycle
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I get the "protect the joints" and I've looked at FiberBuilt - almost went that route. My concern was that it might be too forgiving with a fat shot. But I'd take that over hitting off concrete.
I went with the TrueStrike gel insert hitting mat all detailed here. I will replace the turf cover next spring - too many shots in the exact same spot - but the gel insert and base are just fine. I wanted to build a larger area outdoors with more room to putt and chip/pitch to - but this could be made smaller for in a garage. In fact that is my dream, but alas I live in an older house with an older garage and do not have the height/ceiling clearance. Haven't figured out how to tell SheWhoMustBeObey that we need to move to a house with 10ft ceilings....
I went with the ProPutt interlocking base and put the TrueStrike in the middle. They cut the base and turf to allow for it. It is not cheap - but mine is outdoors and I want it to last.
Like I said, this could be significantly scaled down. You can buy just the TrueStrike and a stance matt in some different configurations.
For camera - I have two sticks from iRange Sports - the offer them with "stick in the ground" attachments, or place on a floor feet attachments. You snap your iPhone in place with magnets (either built into the new phones, or with a metal disc you stick inside the case, or on the case. You can see the one stick in the photo below down the line. The other is hidden behind the umbrella. I agree, someone pointed out you don't have a lot of room for the "face on" video. You might need to rotate. You need enough distance to get the ball at the bottom of the frame and the top of the club in the backswing.
I whole heartedly endorse trying Skillest. I was skeptical at first, but desperate to fix a particular problem in the spring. I stuck with it all season and dropped 2 strokes off my handicap. Still a work in progress, but we are developing a winter practice plan. I think the trick is finding the right coach, and I got lucky. Has to be someone you communicate well with.
Good luck. Holding yourself to account is a smart way to start. Plenty of folks on here to chime and and help keep you going.
- RollingGreens, JerryB and Kenny B
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39 minutes ago, LICC said:
But how do you determine which LIV golfers qualify (other than those already exempted in)? Lots of leeway there to keep most LIV golfers out.
I predict next summer we will see plenty of LIV players going through the open qualifiers - right along with other players who haven't qualified on points. Its an OPEN - so anyone can qualify if they play well enough. They just don't get an automatic qualification, they'll have to go play for it.
- MGoBlue100, artful_golfer, Bang60 and 2 others
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I’ve been using the claw/pencil method of gripping my putter for several years. Ive tried all sorts of ways to take my wrists out of the equation from left hand low, long shafts, etc. I know there are a variety of grips out there and have experimented with many of them from the giant SuperStroke to Evnrolls gravity grip. But I did not know there was something specific for us claw grippers until recently.
I’ve got the SuperStroke to the right of a well worn Evnroll Gravity Grip for comparison. I don’t think the Evnroll is oversized in any meaningful way. But I show both to demonstrate the thickness of the SS so you can see how it’s thinner shape fits into the crook of your hand between thumb and forefinger. It’s flat top/front flat is then wider/thicker as your fingers rest on it. Just like it was made to be held that way…
I really like it, and wish I’d known about it before. When I went thru my putter fitting at CC he offered it as a suggestion, and though it felt weird at the time (and did for the first practice session) I thought I’d give it a go. It has the SS counterweight in it - I liked that extra weight in the Evnroll gravity grip so I thought that would keep some consistent feel. Because I’m an Arccos user I needed the adapter for the putter sensor.
Since putting it into play I’ve seen two thing: first I’ve reduced the pull to the left - now that is likely attributable to the neck of the putter and the whole reason for the fitting and new weapon, but it’s part of the package. Second, I’ve gained .6 strokes SG - again, the neck and the fact that my short game SG has improved as well. But it clearly isn’t having a negative effect. I like the feel of it and that my hand stays parallel to my target line. Can’t be anything else.
So if you are a Claw gripper you might want to take a look
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I also made an early bird purchase of the side kick - I’ve had the Alphard eWheels on my BagBoy Quad for a number of years. Anxious to give the sidekick a try - it will keep my eyes from straying too much over to that StewartQ things others have been testing. Just won’t be able to post a review for a while - not expecting delivery until the end of the year and there will be snow on the ground when I do get it
- GolfSpy_APH, cksurfdude and MattF
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Your chart should be labeled Chaos to Full CDO (OCD in the correct alphabetical order…)
I miss my 14 way divider. My bag has a 6 way and goes clockwise from upper right: 3w & Putter; 8,9,P; G,S,L; 6,7; 5h,4,h,5w; Driver. So the longest clubs and Putter (most used) sit the the top; scoring and most used on the right; distance/longer on the left. Because the bag rides on a push cart I need the longest at the top. As I sit here and think about it I might flip the wedges with the short irons - seems I’m always grabbing a wedge and putter at the same time but that’s a different story…
- GolfSpy_APH, EasyPutter, Kenny B and 3 others
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Clearly the Tour has some challenges. Despite those challenges I still come down on the Tour side in the battle (and it is a battle) with LIV and the Saudis. The Tour does need to evolve and change. I think Andy Johnson of the FriedEgg and Shotgun Start podcasts has some sound suggestions.
To your first item - providing a travel or expense stipend for player and caddy would make good sense. Particularly the young/new guys (see below). But I can’t imagine a no cut event with the full field playing Sunday - it’s too slow as it is now. If JB Holmes didn’t make the cut and was in the first group out that’d never finish before Monday…. Cuts have to remain.
The elevated events, your second point, are what is keeping the Tour and the remaining stars intact. That will continue.
The real trick for the Tour to figure out is how to provide a faster and better path for the stars of tomorrow. The college guys, or the top of the KFT, or the best players on the LAT or Canadian, etc…. Guys who can take down the bottom half of the tour (who aren’t making the cut) buf can’t get starts of their own. That is where the guaranteed Saudi money poses the greatest risk for the future of the Tour.
What I really wish the Tour would figure out is how to take ownership of is the broadcast experience of the fans at home. I fully understand that to get the money they want from sponsors to pay the higher purses (especially w elevated events) the network broadcast rights will cost and that means they have to sell ads. But wow, it’s almost unwatchable sometimes. And why on earth does the Tour or the network need their own ad telling us what we are watching???? I know these guys are good, that’s why I’m watching… Anyway. Should the Saudis buy an ad free platform that directly competes w CBS or NBC for eyeballs that is where the Tour faces trouble. It is a bit of a catch 22, the money machine must keep churning - but it’s the fan experience that gets ground up in the gears. When “playing thru” first started I thought that was the answer, I’m not so sure now.
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I'm game to play. Team Rypstick Mevo+ SwingTraining mode 95.9 (avg of three swings w two weights)
Hip replacement in a week - so if I can at least be at that speed by March 15 I'll be happy - anything over will be a bonus - so this baseline is a good motivator.
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Whispering Creek \ Gross 77 \ Course handicap 8 \ 5 over gross \ net 69 or a -3 \ 4 gross birdies which don't count for anything but I've never had before.... 3 net birdies or better, and long drive of 265 yards.
Likely my last round for the year before the hip replacement. If so, a good way to end it. But maybe SheWhoMustBeObeyed will let me out one more time...
- GolfSpy TCB and fozcycle
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Very cool. Always a sucker for a ball in mid air action shot.
There is a guy I follow who does some very interesting “illuminated” golf course photography. Envious of those w that talent
- EasyPutter and GolfSpy_APH
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A friend (who was a 3 hdcp) told me that breaking 80 is like popping the cork off a bottle, once done it will all flow from there… so long as you don’t think about it.
I think he is half right. It does get easier. If you don’t think about it the pressure is off because you’ve done it. You know you can do it because youve done it. Good scores often come in streaks. So long as you don’t think about it.
I try very hard not to look at my arccos until the end of the round. Check that the hole is right - no missed putts, but I try not to let my eye wander to that upper right hand corner…
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On my iPhone I’m prompted to try TapTalk but have not yet experimented w it
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Whispering Creek - Gross 81 - Course handicap 8 - 9 over Net 73 - 1 gross birdie and 5 net birdies - Longest drive 249
It was a chilly one... yes, that is an icicle on the flag stick - they run the sprinkler to get rid of the frost...
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Oh, and rain pants…. I’ve got some SunIce gortex rain pants - break the wind, light weight, and pull off easy when tit warms up halfway thru the round.
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Yeah, 15 degrees in Iowa this morning and I had (had…) an 8:30 tee time.
I will often use some under armor cold weather compression gear - bottoms as well as tops - underneath. If the sun is shining not too bad a walk
- Bobbers and sirchunksalot
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I know there are a lot of Peter Millar fans in this forum (and some who think they are too expensive to sweat in...) for the fans you might enjoy this GD article about them - https://www.golfdigest.com/story/why-golf-shirt-brands-have-staying-power-survival-of-the-fitted
Recovery from Hip Replacement Surgery
in General Q&A
Posted · Edited by WaffleHouseTour
Just updating what happened in the evening
Day One Post Op
Walked out of the surgical hospital at 10:23am w just a cane…
…and binder full of instructions on PT, when to take meds, how to get into the shower, and keep my bowels moving. Yeah, great stuff I know. But the spinal does shut down your intestines so you need to wake them up.
Anyway, slept off and on during the night and got a visit every few hours to check vitals etc. Up at 6 and started the day. Breakfast, visits from the Doc and OT and PT. I told PT that I was using the Walker with just one hand and she asked how it went. Great. Let’s try just a cane - even better. Allowed me to stand up straighter. Ready to go home.
Doc says no driving for two weeks. No use of my eliptical machine until after he sees me in two weeks. But up and walking once an hour. Do my PT twice a day.
So far I’m still on two Tylenol three times a day, but have a script for Tramadol and Oxy - but I am hoping to not need/use those. Maybe at night. Im told I’m still comfortable from the spinal and the pain will come.
Basically what I feel is a really heavy leg - like it weighs a hundred pounds. That will improve.
Talking w my PT she said I was smart getting anterior. Too many folks don’t know there are two kinds of surgeries. Many of the surgeons who do posterior don’t tell their patients there is a new procedure that is less invasive, faster recovery and fewer restrictions. Not everyone is walking out w a cane at 10:23…
I’ve been reminded repeatedly to take it slow and take it easy. Not to push. Trying too hard will actually slow down my recovery. I’m listening.
In the evening, despite the non-stop ice packs, the bruising really started to show up. And the pain finally started to kick in. Decided to take some tramadol at bed time - make sure I can sleep through the night. I want to minimize any sort of narcotic, but this also has anti inflammatory properties - so I think it’ll be the evening routine for the next few days.