I could do with a little advice.

[One Planer]

I'll apologise now, this is probably going to be a long post.

My wrist still isn't right. I had my appointment with the specialist on 10/1/13. He was not happy. Sent me for an MRI which I had Sunday. I'm just waiting for the results. He basically said if something shows up on the MRI, I'll be referrred again to an Orthopaedic surgeon

Now I'm not jumpng the gun, but this has been going on since August last year, so, As you can imagine, I'm starting to fear the worst.

The specialist said I can still play, but would advise against prolonged periods of practice and playing. He likened it to a footballer coming back from injury and how they are eased in gradually. He just advised to take it easy and not do too much too soon.

Still with me? Good. Now to the golf bit.

With the above on going injury in mind, I'm probably going to be facing another lay off (according to the specialist), as, I have to be honest it's not improving to a level where I can put in the level or play and practice (Hours) I need to improve.

Over the winter I've played very up and down golf. Some weeks fantastic, others have been simply attrocious.

I've decided that the problem is of my own making. I've never had a lesson from a teaching pro and have used the principles of the Stack and Tilt pattern to cobble together a swing that, when working is excellent, but has far, far too many off days that play havoc with the swing both physially and mentally.

Contact with the ball is great, but direction, as for most handicap golfers has always been a problem. As I say some weeks I can put it on a 6 pence, the next week I'm in a different postcode

I'll say again I've never had a lesson. Just cobbled a swing together using predominanlty S&T fundimentals and what I found worked for me (AKA School of Snelly ).

Still there? Great, you sure have plenty of patience

I honestly don't know how to put this . I'm at a bit of a cross roads.

I'm considering professional help (......No, not mentally).

I'm considering booking a series of lessions to see if the pro can deliver the consistancy I'm looking for in my game. As I said, when it's working, it's fantastic, but the flip side of the coin is soul destroying.

I've recently joined a local range with 4 teaching professionals, all with good reputations in the local area so the facilities and teaching and practice time is there, on a plate.

The flip side of the coin is it's not going to happen over night and, will probably take quite a while for me to un-learn what I've been doing for the past 18 months or so.

Combine the above with on going saga of my wrist, I don't know what to do for the best.

Soldier on with my current swing until my wrist heals to the point I can put in a good few hours of practice then begin lessons.

Or

Get the lessons booked, begin the changes, and manage my practice around my wrist.

Are you still there?

If so, thanks for sticking with the thread. If you have any advice I'd be interested in hearing it :thup:

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Id say that there is no point in doing anything until that wrist is sorted out.

See what you are left with and start from there

Hope it sorts itself out quick for you

 

[CMAC]

yes still here! thanks for spacing it out so well, made it easy to read.

Personally Gareth I would speak to the Pro and explain what you have said here as they will have experience of teaching people with injuries or physical limitations. You need a lesson first then practice- if you do it the other way around you could be practicing the wrong thing and actually be damaging your wrist more!

You can practice less (thereby helping your wrist) if you are only practicing what you have been taught in the lesson.

Hope that helps and your wrist gets better soon.

 

[fundy]

Sorry to hear youre struggling still, as someone who has knee problems leading to not playing for may years I sympathise fully with you. My first observation probably isnt going to sit well but maybe for a little while youve got to stop worrying about how well you are playing and/or improving and focus on getting the wrist 100%. Maybe for a short period you need to cut back how much you are playing (and especially practising) and maybe try a few different courses to get your enjoyment rather than the buzz from playing well/improving.

If you decide that doesnt fit or once youve got the wrist better Id be very tempted to go for a halfway house initially rather than booking a full set of lessons but approach one of the pros, explain to him what youve posted here and ask him for a frank assessment of where you are currently with your game and again a frank assessment of what he thinks it needs for you to improve to the next level. If you can find a coach who has a decent anatomical understannding (of injuries especially) then that would be a huge bonus as he may be able to help explain methods to reduce the pressure on your wrist (and subsequently reduce the likelihood of any reoccurrence)

 

[One Planer]

yes still here! thanks for spacing it out so well, made it easy to read.

Personally Gareth I would speak to the Pro and explain what you have said here as they will have experience of teaching people with injuries or physical limitations. You need a lesson first then practice- if you do it the other way around you could be practicing the wrong thing and actually be damaging your wrist more!

You can practice less (thereby helping your wrist) if you are only practicing what you have been taught in the lesson.

Hope that helps and your wrist gets better soon.

As I say, I can practice, but not for too long.

I visit the range twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday) and just do some light work, 25 balls only and about 20 minutes putting. I play 18 holes Saturday at a steady 3.1/2 hour pace and do a little shortgame work on Sundays (Not for the last 2 weeks tho)

As an example of just how inconsistant my swing can be. I went to the range last Friday (Coudn't make Thursday) worked on iron approach play. I flushed every single ball from 9 iron-Thru- 5 iron.

Played Saturday and was just the opposite. Poor direction control, a few thins, I even topped one, which is rare even for me

I know I'm not going to flush every ball, every time, but surely I can be more consistant than that!?!

 

[Doh]

I don' think you should be making what would be a big decision for you ( going for lessons) until your fit, and I don't think you should be trying to practice to much either which is what lessons will require you to do. If you can stand it take some time out and give your wrist the best opportunity to recover. If you really need to, go and play a few holes just for the enjoyment of it. The wrist is the priority not golf.

 

[Foxholer]

First forum casualty of S&T? :rofl: That's a mickey-take btw!

Have you considered just practising chipping and putting? Always going to be of benefit and shouldn't put toooo much pressure on the wrist. Best to do it from rough or with putting style to minimise impact.

Otherwise, bite the bullet and stay away from golf until wrist at least evaluated properly. Not the best time to be playing anyway!

Good Luck with the recovery.

 

[One Planer]

Sorry to hear youre struggling still, as someone who has knee problems leading to not playing for may years I sympathise fully with you. My first observation probably isnt going to sit well but maybe for a little while youve got to stop worrying about how well you are playing and/or improving and focus on getting the wrist 100%. Maybe for a short period you need to cut back how much you are playing (and especially practising) and maybe try a few different courses to get your enjoyment rather than the buzz from playing well/improving.

If you decide that doesnt fit or once youve got the wrist better Id be very tempted to go for a halfway house initially rather than booking a full set of lessons but approach one of the pros, explain to him what youve posted here and ask him for a frank assessment of where you are currently with your game and again a frank assessment of what he thinks it needs for you to improve to the next level. If you can find a coach who has a decent anatomical understannding (of injuries especially) then that would be a huge bonus as he may be able to help explain methods to reduce the pressure on your wrist (and subsequently reduce the likelihood of any reoccurrence)

Pretty much hit the nail on the head Steve :thup:

No matter how badly I play, I always want to get back out on the course. Enjoyment is a big thing for me. If I'm not playing well, obviously I don't enjoy it, I don't think anyone does.

The wrist is better than it was last year, mainly down to the fact I took, pretty much, all of December off.

I'm waiting the results of the MRI, due today or tomorrow and then see what's what.

As you rightly say. My main priority is my wrist and getting it right.

 

[golfdub]

i read in a book (cant remember the name) about a guy who wanted to have a par round in 1 year but he broke his hand or finger so he just practiced one handed chipping and putting for about 6 weeks or so and stated that was a massive help in his short game.

good luck
but if you do get lesson then please get a video lesson as you will understand the pro 10x easier just by seeing it for yourself.

 

[bladeplayer]

Lessons are interesting , practicing what you are shown is no fun .. my advice , get the wrist right , chat with a pro & discuss what you want .

If you want to improve what your shown you will have to practice a good bit .. if the wrist hampers that then it will be a waste

 

[Imurg]

Tough Times Matey!

Get your wrist right - it's the only option.
Doesn't matter - up to a point - how long it takes, Golf will still be there.
Carry on as you are until you get a difinitive on the injury and then take it from there.

A Summer off but then being fit to start lessons to get your swing right is much preferable to soldiering on with a sore wrist hitting it sideways.....

 

[socky]

any change is goign to take hours of practice to ingrain itself and become natural... so like everybody has already said why dont you let the wrist heal before you try to change things.

lets say the worst happens and you cant play for six months, sounds like a disaster BUT what if you spent those 6 months getting properly fit and just practicing hours and hours putting and chipping ?!

Imagine coming back and working on your swing knowing that you are fitter than ever before AND your short game is the best its ever been !

You'll probably be turning pro by the start of 2014

 

[SocketRocket]

I know a guy that damaged his hand just over a year ago and played one handed for six months, He has been back playing two handed again and won just about everything.

 

[AmandaJR]

If the wrist is going to impact on the lesson/practice/coaching then I'd hang fire on that until you have a diagnosis and prognosis then consider what next. The lesson route is the only way I got to play decent golf but it's not for everyone and I started golf with lessons so hadn't built something I might need to break and start again.

Biggest issue you have is your wrist so focus on that first and foremost and the other decisions may be easier...

 

[JustOne]

My wrist still isn't right.

Which one? and what's wrong with it?

Anyone who has an injury won't commit to the shot fully so the swing style won't make a difference but I guess if you can find a way to swing a club that feels better to you then that can't be ruled out as an option, although there's none less demanding on the wrists that I know of than what you are currently doing ( I say that as someone who could barely swing a club 2yrs ago because of the pain). We all land it in a different postcodes from time to time and that's with GOOD wrists.

No one can decide whether you should carry on and just practice/play, only you can make that choice.

 

[bigslice]

dont start lessons till youve fixed the wrist, for practising putting or use v easy for chipping. ive weak wrists and sometimes it flares up. just where the bottom of my thumb meets my wrists. at work i use supports which help.

o and remember golf is for fun not your way of making a living. natural abbility will keep you going.
top tip sometimes i use the other hand it helps

 

[One Planer]

Which one? and what's wrong with it?

Anyone who has an injury won't commit to the shot fully so the swing style won't make a difference but I guess if you can find a way to swing a club that feels better to you then that can't be ruled out as an option, although there's none less demanding on the wrists that I know of than what you are currently doing ( I say that as someone who could barely swing a club 2yrs ago because of the pain). We all land it in a different postcodes from time to time and that's with GOOD wrists.

No one can decide whether you should carry on and just practice/play, only you can make that choice.

Left wrist James.

No idea (for sure) what's wrong with it. Specialist seems to think Muscle, ligament and nerve damage hence the MRI.

Agree with the rest of your post too.

 

[Birchy]

I wouldnt try any major changes until you feel you wrist is strong enough to fully commit. If you start learning something totally new you might groove into a bad habit as your body will instinctively do whats least painful as much as it can. If that makes sense!

P.S The percentage of good players who have had lessons compared to ones who have had none should give you the answer to if you should have lessons or not imo.

 

[duncan mackie]

If you have any advice I'd be interested in hearing it :thup:

do exactly what the specialist says - only possible advice

wrists are one of those areas that need complete protection to heal many issues; until it's competely healed it's extremely vunerable. if it doesn't repair properly you risk an extremely long period off golf, and other things.

 

[Slime]

Wrist, wrist, wrist, wrist, wrist.
You must get your wrist right first, otherwise every shot you take will be false because you will be subconsciously protecting your wrist....................and that'll lead to bad shots and bad temper. It's not worth it, plus your wrist will never properly heal.
I've just been told not to swing a club for six months and, as hard as that will be, I'm not going to unless advised otherwise by my surgeon otherwise I'll be back at square one all over again.
Give it time. Golf will still be there when you go back to it and it'll be more fun too!
Best of lick,

Slime.

P.S. My problem was NOT caused by adopting the S&T pattern .