Virginia Newbie with a Humble Question

[AlexanderMegas]

Hello everyone,

I developed an unhealthy obsession with golf about two weeks ago. I've been looking at this forum religiously ever since. Figured it was time to finally register an account.

My friends say that I've got an addictive personality. As I've been putting in 3-4 hours at the range every day for two weeks, I suppose they're right. In any case, all the practice is starting to take its toll. I've got some persistent pain in my mid-upper back, left of my spine. I'm right-handed. Any advice on how to fix this? I'd rather not have to take a week or whatever off from practicing.

Cheers!

[Hammer 4]

As a former range rat, IMHO, your trying to do to much to fast. I would defer some of that range $$$ for lessons from a good pro.

Without knowing exactly what you did all that time at the range, my guess is you likely strained, or maybe pulled a lat muscle.??

We are not Doctors, so as someone who's had a bad back for over 50 yrs, I would seriously consider going to a doctor, just to make sure it's only a minor injury. I know it may cost you, but...better to be safe, than sorry, trust me on that.

Also, Welcome to TST.

[rightdraw]

Hello everyone,

I developed an unhealthy obsession with golf about two weeks ago. I've been looking at this forum religiously ever since. Figured it was time to finally register an account.

My friends say that I've got an addictive personality. As I've been putting in 3-4 hours at the range every day for two weeks, I suppose they're right. In any case, all the practice is starting to take its toll. I've got some persistent pain in my mid-upper back, left of my spine. I'm right-handed. Any advice on how to fix this? I'd rather not have to take a week or whatever off from practicing.

Cheers!

Try the link below:

[AlexanderMegas]

Thanks for the responses. Those posture drills are great. Looking forward to hitting balls with the correct body placement tomorrow.

[Ernest Jones]

Welcome to The Sand Trap @AlexanderMegas . You're in good company here, we are all highly addicted to golf. Can't say much about what is causing you pain but if you're hitting the range as often as you say, you need to learn to practice with a purpose and not just machine-gun balls.

How on earth did you get down to a 19 handicap in two weeks, or have you been playing longer than that but just recently ramped up your interest?

[AlexanderMegas]

Welcome to The Sand Trap @AlexanderMegas. You're in good company here, we are all highly addicted to golf. Can't say much about what is causing you pain but if you're hitting the range as often as you say, you need to learn to practice with a purpose and not just machine-gun balls.

How on earth did you get down to a 19 handicap in two weeks, or have you been playing longer than that but just recently ramped up your interest?

Well, I didn't just start cold two weeks ago. I played for the first time two summers ago. I stopped playing pretty quickly and never really became decent. Then about two weeks ago I decided I wanted to make golf my pet project. The 19 handicap is more of a guess - I played a few rounds at a little better than a 19 and figured that number would be a safe estimate. It's entirely possible the 19 is too generous of a guess. I have made incredible progress in these past weeks though - I was shooting ~120 on 18 in late March. The drastic improvement is most likely due to having a little past familiarity with golf, youth/some natural athletic ability, and an absurd amount of time spent researching golf/practicing each day.

Practicing with purpose is something I need to master; you're right about that. This morning I did a good job of working on my short game at a deliberate and measured pace, correcting mistakes and thinking of ways to improve. I'll have to bring that to the range when I go later today or tomorrow.

[Ernest Jones]

Well, I didn't just start cold two weeks ago. I played for the first time two summers ago. I stopped playing pretty quickly and never really became decent. Then about two weeks ago I decided I wanted to make golf my pet project. The 19 handicap is more of a guess - I played a few rounds at a little better than a 19 and figured that number would be a safe estimate. It's entirely possible the 19 is too generous of a guess. I have made incredible progress in these past weeks though - I was shooting ~120 on 18 in late March. The drastic improvement is most likely due to having a little past familiarity with golf, youth/some natural athletic ability, and an absurd amount of time spent researching golf/practicing each day.

Practicing with purpose is something I need to master; you're right about that. This morning I did a good job of working on my short game at a deliberate and measured pace, correcting mistakes and thinking of ways to improve. I'll have to bring that to the range when I go later today or tomorrow.

Regarding proper practice, this is a good thread:

[AlexanderMegas]

Regarding proper practice, this is a good thread:

Thanks, that is a great thread. I got the Tour Tempo iPhone recently as well. I've heard excellent things about it.