I screwed up bad on Friday..

[cougar978]

Last Friday afternoon, we were playing a nine hole two-on-two best ball stroke play match for $50 a man. It was a really good match, as we matched pars through eight holes, and my partner had just holed about a 30 ft par putt on eight, where I had left my approach in a greenside bunker and had about 10 ft uphill for par, so I was really feeling good going into 9. I had about 145 into the pin, so I tried to smooth a 9-iron, ball comes up about 30 ft short, with 5 ft of fringe between me and the green. OK, no big deal (so I thought) - I was going to keep it simple and putt through the fringe. Bad idea, ball gets hung up and ends up 9 ft short.

My partner hit a bad approach and then skulled his chip about 40 ft from the pin, so he's screwed, and one of my opponents makes a miracle two-putt from about 70 feet, so now I'm faced with a 'moment of truth'.

I've made this exact putt a million times before in practice, just stroke the ball, equal distance front and back, keep your hips, body, and head still, and listen for the sound of the ball in the cup. I got my read, set up on it, took a practice stroke, breathed through the stomach (a tip from Nick Faldo to conquer the yips - works really well), and put probably my smoothest stroke of the day on the ball. No sound, ball lips out on the left hand side.

I know I'm going to receive hell for this, and I deserve it - but the guys I was playing with/against are notorious for their club throwing, so I didn't think much about letting one go. I took my hat off and threw it on the ground, then air-mailed my putter back up the fairway. When I threw the putter, I felt something pop in my right shoulder blades.

After I paid my opponents, shook hands with them and congratulated them, I drove my partner to his car and dropped him off, then I went to unload my bag and I couldn't lift it with my right arm. I managed to drive home and drag my clubs upstairs once I got home, then I collapsed on the living room floor - I'm glad my wife wasn't home when all this went down, I probably would have scared her to death and she would have called an ambulance.

I must have laid on the floor for about 15 minutes - one of our cats came by to say 'hello', and I couldn't raise my right hand to pet her without excruciating pain. I laid on the floor for a little while longer, then tried to stretch my arm out to the point to whatever happened would loosen up, and I was able to get back up and take some tylenol. Once that kicked in, it made it possible to get up and walk around, and (really stupid move on my part) go outside to take some practice swings, because I committed to one of my friends that I was going to play on his team tomorrow.

Because of some miracle, a half a tube of Ben Gay, and about 10 tylenol (and the fact that the right ribcage/shoulder blades don't come under much stress during the golf swing), I managed to shoot 72 on Saturday but lost about $25. I could swing the club okay, but if I had to cough or sneeze, it was a stabbing pain.

I really need to control the club throwing and manage my temper better, or it is going to wreck my game.

[colin007]

I really need to control the club throwing and manage my temper better, or it is going to wreck my game.

first thing you need to do is get a MRI...

[cougar978]

first thing you need to do is get a MRI...

It feels all right now - a little pain, but nothing too bad - I hit balls on Tuesday with no issues. What all could be wrong with it?

[Cussin hacker]

Good honest post. Sounds like a rotater cuff injury to me. I'm no Doc, but I'd let it rest and get an MRI. Good luck with it!

[SubPar]

Clubs are oddly balanced and not made for throwing, as you now know. Sounds like you may have something as simple as a strain or as bad as a torn rotator cuff. Shoulders are really complex and easy to damage.

Pack it in ice ten minutes before going to bed each night and see how it is after a few days. If you have pain after four-five days you should have it looked at. I had a torn RC (racquetball) and it was so small the Dr. could not see the tear until he was inside with a camera.

SubPar

[flanagan]

1. Play for less money

2. Ice that a few times a day

3. See a doctor in addition to that

4. It's only a game

If only I could follow my own advice . . .

[kpaulhus]

I have only slammed my sand wedge once leaving a terrible divot in the fairway. Never hurt myself playing golf. Usually Im too pissed at myself when I screw up for money that I cant do anything with my clubs. One time I did push up on the roof of the golf cart cuz I was mad trying to flip it and ended up ripping the whole top off the front two supports lol

[SKMoss]

If the above advice doesn't take. Please consider watching this.

http://www.golf.com/golf/video/artic...720077,00.html

[tran_man]

That's a great video. The fact there is an instructional video on how to properly throw your clubs is awesome! I just hope I never have to do it, clubs are a lot of money.

[microcrayfish]

I must have laid on the floor for about 15 minutes - one of our cats came by to say 'hello', and I couldn't raise my right hand to pet her without excruciating pain.

Gotta laugh at this bit, such a typical cat thing to do, "Oh look here's someone lying on the ground in excruciating pain, give me a pat!"

[enduro]

If the above advice doesn't take. Please consider watching this.

That is hilarious. His serious, teacher like approach is great. And the dead-pan at the end is true comedy. lol

[kpaulhus]

I would reccomend going to play it again sports and picking up a few $.50 clubs....then toss them into lakes just to get a reaction out of other people lol

[MiniMoe]

I used to throw club way back when I was in high school, then a witnessed a friend break and throw all of his clubs in a lake... one by one. I realized he looked like a pompous idiot, and swore I would never do that again. Since that time I have come to understand that if I can't enjoy even the bad days, I should do something else that makes me happy. I have taken out all expectations out of my game and just play to the best of my ability every time I go out. I strive to approach each and every shot exactly the same.... with an " ALERT ATTITUDE OF INDIFFERENCE . My game drastically improved when I just let go and played.....just to play. I add my score when I get done, and I don't use the terms par, birdie, or bogey. It's just a number you write down on a piece of paper.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

breathed through the stomach (a tip from Nick Faldo to conquer the yips - works really well), and put probably my smoothest stroke of the day on the ball. No sound, ball lips out on the left hand side.

Can you explain this further?

[TheLauncher]

I strive to approach each and every shot exactly the same.... with an "

I like it Moe, I like it.

No single thing has helped my game more than to just relax and play for the sake of playing.

[cougar978]

I used to throw club way back when I was in high school, then a witnessed a friend break and throw all of his clubs in a lake... one by one. I realized he looked like a pompous idiot, and swore I would never do that again. Since that time I have come to understand that if I can't enjoy even the bad days, I should do something else that makes me happy. I have taken out all expectations out of my game and just play to the best of my ability every time I go out. I strive to approach each and every shot exactly the same.... with an "

I went out today on the way back from a trade show and played a course that had given me fits before (Brookwoods, right outside Richmond) - shot a 76, and was +3 on the par 5's - didn't really give a shit the entire round. I was +1 going into 15 and laid a pretty big egg coming in, but still, I just went out there and had a good time.

I need to learn how to not give a shit when I'm out there - you're 100% right.

[cougar978]

Can you explain this further?

The breathing through your stomach thing takes your mind off making a stroke, you just go up there and hit it.

As for keeping your head down through the stroke, that's something I picked up from reading Harvey Penick's Little Red Book (I keep a copy in my office). I suggest anyone that wants to get into the single digits or better read it cover to cover.

[TheLauncher]

I need to learn how to not give a shit when I'm out there - you're 100% right.

A little bit easier when there's not $100 on the line. Not that it can't be done... just sayin'.