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**Ben** · April 6, 2008

6:50 am on Thursday morning my life changed. Walking down a grass slope to get to my car, my right ankle buckled under me. I was left with it being dislocated and fractured in three spots. After spending hours in the ER with my leg in about the most uncomfortable position you could imagine, with my foot dangling to the right, I was told I would most certainly need surgery to fix what had happened. I went into surgery that night, and now find myself in a cast for three months, and not able to swing a golf club for at least six months after that.

I have a close golf buddy that went through pretty much the same thing and he's perfectly healthy these days, so I'm optimistic that I'll make a full recovery, but certainly bummed that I'll miss playing the rest of this season, not to mention my plans to try the Japanese Q School.

Anyone else here recover from a serious ankle (or other) injury?

**CusePhil** · April 6, 2008

I completely tore a ligament playing basketball about 2 years ago, and the first time I stepped out on the court after rehabbing for 4 months I tore it again within minutes. I rolled it one more time before realizing I needed to take it easy.

Sadistically, I'm glad I screwed up my ankle. It's the only reason I picked up golf. As of today, it's 99% healed. I can do everything I could before, but I get some very slight pain after playing ball still.

My suggestion is to rehab long and hard, and don't even think about trying to play before you are ready. It might suck for the first few months, but I'm sure you'll get back to normal. You'll learn a lot about your will power and determination during your time off. Good luck and get better!

**Doctorfro** · April 6, 2008

My condolences. Last spring I tore the meniscus in my right knee (I had never had knee problems in my life) playing my #1 sport, basketball. So I not only had to shelve my favorite sport but I couldn't play golf either. Luckily, six weeks after surgery I was taking half swings at the ball and at eight weeks I played my first round. It took me several months before I could really transfer my weight properly but I am blessed to be able to play now. Unfortunately, I have shelved my basketball career. I could play if I wanted to but at this point in my life I really don't want to end both sports so I stick to golf.

The layoff will be over before you know it. Take the time to sharpen your mental skills. You'll be even better than before. Good luck!

**Ben** · April 6, 2008

Thanks guys, and I hear you about not coming out too early. My intention is to make a full recovery before tyring to swing again. I'll be on the putting green though. I figure four months of nothing but putting practice and I'll be able to putt circles around Tiger Woods! As far as my mental game. I was watching Masters highlights the last couple hours, and had the oddest feeling like I'd find myself there for certain. Like my mind knows it's going to happen. I think this injury is going to do wonders for me.

**Pinseeker81** · April 6, 2008

Wow, sorry to hear about that man
Last October my sister was playing in an inflatable moonwalk and came down wrong and cracked something in her ankle wrong. After 4 months of not healing like it was supposed to the had an MRI done and found a growth in the ankle bone (which probably never would have been found without the injury), now she's getting surgery the day after her birthday, almost 7 months after it happened. 7 months of having to wear an inflatable ankle support boot.

I feel for you and wish you the speediest recovery possible.

**907golfer12** · April 6, 2008

Wow I am very sorry about the injury, and hope you make a full recovery. My biggest advice has already been suggested, don't try to come back too early.

I broke my middle finger playing basketball not to long ago, and never got it checked or braced. I went to my normal twice a week lessons with a local pro, played soccer games, and went to school. One day my finger swelled like no other, so I got it x-rayed. Well the doctor looked at the x-ray and said that I was very lucky that I didn't make it worse. If I had, I might not be able to play golf ever again, because I wouldn't be able to grip anything.

Also, one of my friends snapped his shin in half while playing soccer. Also the top half of his, now broken shin, was dislocated and some ligaments were torn. He hasn't been able to walk in 3 months and won't be able to in at least another 2.

Again, I hope you make a full recovery.

**Dent** · April 6, 2008

Wow thats awful. Very sorry to hear that. Hopefully after when you recover your play is not effected.

Jake H · April 6, 2008

About 5 years ago I was riding motocross at a track and came off of a double wrong. The back end kicked up and started drifting to the left. All of my weight, plus a lot of the motorcycle's weight, came down on my left foot (right on the back side of the landing). It hyper-extended, and I immediately knew it was broken. After sitting for a few hours in the ER my ankle was swollen to the size of a baseball. The break was not that serious, but I tore some ligaments pretty badly. It took about 2 months after the cast came off to get to 85%, and about a year after the break to be 98%. Today it has just a little bit less range of motion than my right.

You'll probably heal up alright.

**JaY_B** · April 6, 2008

I hope you fully recover from this Ben, when this happened to Ernie Els (Who also injured his ankle, but a ligament and not bone) he spent all his time working on his short game, hopefully it will do wonders for your short game.

Good luck and all the best, JaY_B

**Finn07** · April 6, 2008

Ouch, sorry man. Something like this could'nt have happened to a nicer guy on here. Sounds like the advice above is pretty good, stay sharp on the short game, putting and such. Good luck the whole way....Keep us informed on how your doing.

***iacas*** · April 6, 2008

Just a few ideas, tips, and suggestions. First, though, a question: how did it happen? Did you step on something? Did you slip? Or did your ankle just "give out" somehow? Anyway...

Don't read golf magazines, or at least not the tips. Don't read any swing theory or short game books either. Since you can't try the tips, they may just build up in your head and confuse your mind about your swing when you finally get back. KISS.
Do spend the time reading some books on golf history, etc. Why not?
Putt a lot, like you said.
Don't rush back, like you said also.
Use the time to exercise other parts of your body and stay sharp.
Play rounds of golf in your mind. I've never been able to do it without being interrupted (often by myself), but if you can imagine yourself playing courses, right on down to walking and playing the pre-shot routine, some studies say that's a form of "practice" right there.

**BASHERBAKER69** · April 6, 2008

why don't you join the Compensation Culture?

**JaY_B** · April 6, 2008

why don't you join the Compensation Culture?

I would be proud of Ben if he did not join the compensation culture (unless of course someone truly was at fault, and it was not an accident).

**BASHERBAKER69** · April 6, 2008

i totally agree, but in this case real damage has been done- this is not just a paper cut. Time off work, loss of earnings, loss of enjoyment of life- if you tripped over a manhole cover or a hole in the road, you might be able to get something.

**ganjagolfer** · April 6, 2008

get well soon, i'm such a freak about this game, i would be playing with a cast on, better than sitting home on the sofa eating potato chips

**Shindig** · April 6, 2008

I've never had an injury near that, but I wish you the best recovery possible.

**Ben** · April 6, 2008

My Sister suggested I try suing, but there is really noone to blame but myself for this one. I fell on a little path I made for myself that leads from my townhome to the street level where my car is parked. Its not really a walkway at all.

**BritBoy** · April 6, 2008

Ben, that really sucks. Stay positive and know you will get back to it. I wish there was more I could say........

Ya you need putting practice......... I've played with you and know better LMAO

And also on a brighter side, you are famous!!! I dint have to log into TST to hear about this, I was told about it walking off the 6th tee box!!! Hey maybe thats where my double came from on that hole, I was bummed about the news!!!!

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