Just wanted to wallow in some self-pity for a moment. Two weeks ago while working on some of the tips I got at USDGC I injured my knee. At first it was thought to be a torn meniscus, but after my MRI and more physical exams it was determined I injured a tendon that runs from the knee to the hip. I cannot practice for six months, (can�t even putt for awhile. For those of you who know me, you know that this will be tough on me I am already pretty depressed. Not only can I not play the best game in the world that is very important to me(not as important as my wife, family, or god, but pretty important) but I have been stuck on my ***** for 12 days and I will be for another 3 weeks. So if anybody has funny emails that will make the time go by in general or have words of encouragement pm me here or email me at Travis_Grindle@email.com
BTW. I will gladly accept sympathy CFR Wraiths, or first run orcs. :D:D:cool:
Send to
Travis Grindle
523 Colonial Dr
Broadway NC, 27330

Take these tips for me.

Please please Stretch and learn how to strecth and warm up correctly.Its amazing what we use to play this game we ned to take care of our bodies.

Make sure you know the surfuce underneath you before you tee, or upshot. really take a look down below you and make sure there are no rocks holes etc, esp if your in the woods.

Caddie for someone or go and watch these big events close to you.
and if your lucky enough to play practice rounds w good pros then take advantage of it. I was amazed at what i learned from pros at USDGC on Mon during qualifying and also at other tourneys. My game was not as bad as i thought.

That does suck. Hope you have a quick recovery.
I don't know what I'm going to do when there's 2 feet of snow outside. I can play in the cold, but when my discs are getting buried in snow I doubt I'll play. I'm glad I bought a practice basket.

About the injury. I know too well that this game can hurt your body....
I've only been playing since May. At first my right leg/knee was very sore after playing. After a couple weeks & some reading up I fixed that.
Then just recently my shoulder started hurting (really hurting).... again, after some help from Blake & Dave D. I was able to fix that (and increase my distance about 50')
So this game can take it's toll on the body if not played right.
I don't do a lot of stretching before a round (I know I should) but I do start by practicing putting. This at least gets my arm warmed up a bit & gets the old pump a'pumpin' :)

The good news is---when you get back, you'll enjoy playing badly, more.

For those of us who've endured long injuries, a bad shot or bad roll doesn't seem quite so bad, compared to the time we couldn't play at all. You can also milk the injury and layoff for an excuse for playing badly (I've been using mine for a year, and it's not worn out yet).

Congrats on scheduling your layoff during the short days of winter.

It sounds like Life has handed you a one of it's lemons. Good time to make lemonade then. I'd suggest working on the mental part of your game. Get to a book store and find the sports section. Then find the ball golf books. In there you'll find all sorts of books on the mental side of playing golf. Last winter (winters here are similar to a 3 month injury) I read a book called Zen Golf. I can't tell you how many strokes it took off my game because I was not playing tournaments prior to reading it but I'm sure I wouldn't have done as well as I did.

If you're not into reading they have these books on CD or I've seen where you can download the Zen Golf book to an IPOD if you have one. I bought another golf book on CD and play it on the way to tournaments. It helps set the mental mood.

Good luck with recovery.

Buy a Mini Discatcher and get alot of minies. Take it easy lay on the couch and putt

Had my knee surgery today and i am in some pain. My doctor says i will never be able to play again :( :(. I know i am going to prove him wrong although it might take awhile.

Anyone else have have knee injuries and play?

You will make it back man. I have seen people that blow out their knee completely and make it back, so I have the same faith that you will be able to make it back too. Good luck to you and may you have a speedy recorvery.

I am kinda in the same boat....
I destroyed the ACL in my right (plant) knee on Nov 9, surgery on Dec 7, and am now "looking forward" to the 6-8 months of Physical Therapy. My doc is a DG player and said that I should be able to back to playing in the future, not near. I will be hampered by wearing a brace forever, but as long as I can get on the course for some play. I plan on altering my throwing techniques to not put so much pressure and torque on the knee, alot more thumbers and RHFH shots will be used.

Had my knee surgery today and i am in some pain. My doctor says i will never be able to play again :( :(. I know i am going to prove him wrong although it might take awhile.

Anyone else have have knee injuries and play?



Your doc sounds like a quack. Are you 70 years old? What type of surgery did you have, exactly? I may be able to give some insight.

I have had both of my knees rebuilt after complete ACL ruptures. For a while I wore braces when I played, then I decided to get serious about working out. After a couple of years of working weekly with weights, my knees are not only strong enough for disc golf without braces, but I've started downhill skiing ahead. That's something I never thought I would do, and I'm doing it (and I ski pretty agressively) without braces.

Good luck in your rehab! Work hard and it should pay off.

-Theo

Had my knee surgery today and i am in some pain. My doctor says i will never be able to play again :( :(. I know i am going to prove him wrong although it might take awhile.

Anyone else have have knee injuries and play?



Your doc sounds like a quack. Are you 70 years old? What type of surgery did you have, exactly? I may be able to give some insight.



I had some carlidge removed and chondroplasty,( Not sure if doc did microfracture) He said my knee would not take the torque. I plan to use this to my advantage and get myself into very good shape, and study my game and improve every aspect of my ability.

I have had both of my knees rebuilt after complete ACL ruptures. For a while I wore braces when I played, then I decided to get serious about working out. After a couple of years of working weekly with weights, my knees are not only strong enough for disc golf without braces, but I've started downhill skiing ahead. That's something I never thought I would do, and I'm doing it (and I ski pretty agressively) without braces.

Good luck in your rehab! Work hard and it should pay off.

-Theo



Thanks Theo,

What kind of brace did u use for golf? I really believe this is a blessing in an odd sort of way.

I tore my ACL, PCL & MCL and was back in about 11 months. Good luck to you.

I have had both of my knees rebuilt after complete ACL ruptures. For a while I wore braces when I played, then I decided to get serious about working out. After a couple of years of working weekly with weights, my knees are not only strong enough for disc golf without braces, but I've started downhill skiing ahead. That's something I never thought I would do, and I'm doing it (and I ski pretty agressively) without braces.

Good luck in your rehab! Work hard and it should pay off.

-Theo



Thanks Theo,

What kind of brace did u use for golf? I really believe this is a blessing in an odd sort of way.



My first brace was a Donjoy. I don't remember the brand for the second set, but they were much newer (about 3 years ago) and more high tech. And yes, much more expensive, but I believe insurance paid for them.

-Theo

I just got my custom fitted Donjoy last week. I have only put it on once, it takes me forever and I have no activities planned as of yet.

Had my knee surgery today and i am in some pain. My doctor says i will never be able to play again :( :(. I know i am going to prove him wrong although it might take awhile.

Anyone else have have knee injuries and play?




You can do anything you put your mind to. We got your back!

I've had 5 surgeries on my left knee (One total reconstruction). I'm left handed so the left leg is the plant leg for the backhand...I had to learn how to throw a big forehand without a run up during the rehab time, as the right leg is the plant for the forehand.

Adapt...overcome.

Travis......hope you are feeling better and on the path to recovery. The Donjoy orthotics are good, but watch out for any brace where there is an exposed hinge. The hinge can do some damage during a cross-step/X-step drive. Hinges tear flesh!