Regular Group. First round in 9 or 10 days. Hernia was a concern going in to today and now it's an even bigger concern. Was able to take full swings before the round without hitting a ball, without pain or discomfort, but as soon as I hit my first drive, I knew it wasn't going to be okay. The drive was okay, but the flight had a big fade on it. It wasn't my normal flight. I could feel a cut across the ball. That feel never left all day on most drives and long clubs. My swing was terrible. Pieced together just enough to move the ball in the right direction, but not much better than that. I am definitely compensating.
On 2nd, hit hybrid off tee and felt it too. On the third hole I was uncomfortable on the tee standing over the ball. Worried about the drive and getting through it. Topped it, and another. Just played a mulligan. Maybe after feeling the pain on the first drive, my subconscious was trying to tell me something. Trouble staying down or something. All out of sorts.
Got it together after that and hung in there, though had no power through the ball. In fact, it continued to get slowly worse. Not long after, started feeling sharp stabbing nerve pain. Not excruciating, just very alarming. Played on. Was able to keep the ball in play in spite of a very weak swing. Ground was very wet, which didn't help either. Most drives ended up in or next to their own pitch marks. Trying to muscle the ball was not an option. Even drives I hit dead nuts went 20-30 yards shorter than my norm before this problem reappeared. Really, all season, I have not had my distance back from before the initial injury happened 15 months ago, but at least at times during this past year, it has been much better than today.
On 16th, hit 8 iron off the tee to 130 yard pin. Hit it with as much body turn as I could muster. Really felt it through the afflicted area. But I hit it straight and right at pin. Without this issue, that ball flies 15 yards past the pin. Today, lands and stops dead, 2 yards short.
I can't play golf like this. I can't swing properly. My body is not allowing it.
Seeing surgeon on Friday, but doubt he'll be able to diagnose exactly what happened to the last surgical repair without an MRI. Either way, don't know what I can do about it now. Can't take time off from work for recovery, even if I could give up golf for a couple months.
After getting home, took 3 Advil and laid down. Shooting pains have subsided for the most part.
