Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Men Only Message Board Billiards and golf

I find I'm at a point where one of my two hobbies is actually starting to hurt a lot, playing pool of all things. Just can't seem to get over the stick like I used to, but still playing league (8 and 9 ball) 2 nights a week with no plans to stop, no matter how bad it hurts. Anybody found any tricks or tips that help?
Golf, I've about had to give up on, unfortunately, although still dreaming of taking the clubs out of the closet soon just to see. Maybe play 9 on a par 3 & see how it goes.

Sorry, no tricks or tips to share. I never have golfed and gave up billiards looong time ago when we moved and no longer had room for the table.

I keep telling myself I'm going to find new hobbies, but it just doesn't seem to be happening. I had a chance to participate in a French club recently to polish up my language skills with other francophones, but wifey nixed the idea out of jealousy. :rolleyes:

I really don't have the energy for anything but work and often not even that. My only advice would be the obvious. Enjoy what you can while you can, cause you never know. And then, when you've lost everything, learn to enjoy that. We don't have much of a choice anyway, do we?

toby

Thanks, toby. I can definitely understand the no energy for anything but work, but find that even though I'm exhausted, getting out and shooting a little pool is a big help, even if it hurts to do so at times. I really don't play outside the two league nights anymore (used to go 5-7 days a week and played 3-4 nights in different leagues), but just to get out there, doing something I used to do a lot, and maybe just to get away from the everyday home/work routine is very helpful, at least to my state of mind if nothing else. Fortunately my wife (we were married in March & I was just diagnosed 3 months ago or so) lets me still do this, although she does get a bit jealous of the time.
Losing everything seems to be a trend in my life. Lost essentially all my possessions in a fire 8 years ago. Couple of months later, essentially lost the family I had as the ex and I split with her leaving the country with our daughter, etc. But, I've always come through and in regards to previous losses, have come out better in the end. I may never "get over" this, but I can definitely make all I can of what I have.

Hi David,

Golf.. Boy am I bad at that! But I still love to be out there in the sunshine laughing at myself because I hit a ball 40 yards and can't find it! The thing that helps me is knowing that I can not hit the ball 250 yard anymore. I just relax use a nice easy swing and hope it stays out of the trees, tall grass and or water. You should get out there and just have fun. Remember to strech! That helps me a lot! Scott from Holland MI

Thanks, Scott. I haven't given up yet, although it has been a couple of years since I gave the clubs a try. Have to sneak out and do it sometime. Wife gives me a hard enough time about playing pool as it tends to set my back and shoulder off, but I'm not giving EVERYTHING up to this. Would definitely take a different sort of stroke nowadays, especially with the driver (rotation, extension, follow through, LOL, NOT).

Hi David,

I know what you mean. I just this week gave my best putter to my son because I can't even do 9 holes any more. Not enough strength left in my legs to climb the hills, even in a cart. Bummer.

I like your idea about pool, I used to play a lot of pool. It might work since you don’t have to climb hills on a pool table.

Dean

Dean,
Pool works pretty well, although if the back is bad that day it can be a little rough getting down over the stick like I used to, so only do that if it's a tough shot that matters. I used to play a lot back in the 80's (misspent youth), but didn't play for about 15 years and just got back into it the last couple of years or so.
Fortunately have found I'm still pretty good when standing more upright to shoot (4th in the 8-ball singles regionals last year, my first time out). It doesn't seem to bother my shoulder (another of my "problem" joints) too bad.
I find it's a great way to get out, relax, do something I enjoy, etc. They even have people in "regular" leagues (meaning they play on teams and leagues with everybody else and the play is handicapped based on your particular skill level) around the country who play from wheelchairs, with canes, etc. so figure I can keep this up as long as I want.
I'm a little slow getting around the table, but what's all the rush for anyway, LOL. Even playing competitively or for cash, it's still JUST A GAME.
Give it a try and good luck, Dean.