[markbila]

Hey all,

I have a disease of the spine that started when I was in my early 20's and gets progressively worse over time. At this point I'm about as bad as it can get, I'm 45 and my spinal column is totally fused together. Naturally I am stiff in my movements and don't have much flexibility left at this point. I am wanting to get back into golf and my Rheumatologist thinks it would be good for me to do so. Naturally I would like to enjoy the game with as little pain and restricted movement as I can, but I know there's nothing I can do to eliminate everything painful.

As you can probably tell, the traditional golf swing isn't going to work well for me anymore. Sure I can go out and get to a point where I can play and enjoy the game again, but I'd like to enjoy it as much as I can. I know I am never ever going to break 80 and I'm cool with that.

What got me to ask this question, about the Moe Norman swing style, was me thinking about what I could possibly do to get as good as my condition will allow. After watching several Moe videos on YouTube, his swing just looks like it would involve a LOT less bending, twisting, uncoiling and so forth, all of which I can't do very well at all. For instance I will never be able to get a full turn on my backswing and bring the shaft to parallel or finish my swing with my belt buckle pointing at the target line. The Moe swing doesn't involve a lot of this movement and he hardly has an extended backswing at all. In fact at the top of his backswing is about the LIMIT I can get with mine, if that gives you any indication of my level of limited flexibility and movement.

What do you all think? Is it worth a try for me to try and learn his swing or at least try and learn as much as I can about it and incorporate what works for me as much as I can? Or is there a way to "modify" the traditional style swing methods to try and find something that works for me and is repeatable?

At this point I don't know what way to go. I haven't hit any balls in over 6 months and am wanting to try a go at the range and at least get some strength built back up in some kind of a swing. Back then, when I was hitting just a few balls, I was using a single 6 iron and some of the hard foam balls in my side yard. Before doing that little bit of hitting, I hadn't tried to swing a club in over 10 years.

The bottom line is I LOVE the game of GOLF and have since I first tried playing it. Some of the best times of my life were had on the courses with my fraternity brothers in college and other friends right after finishing. I just want to get back to playing as best I can and loving to participate. I don't have to shoot 79, I wouldn't care at all if I shot 98 or 108 as long as I know I am doing as well as my body and mind will let me do.

One more thing, I can't afford to go seek lessons from a pro. I wish I could, it would make things a whole lot easier. If you all know of someone in the Houston, Texas area that deals with people that have really bad back conditions that I can talk to and ask a few questions, I'd like to get their contact info.

I also only have a 7 iron, a 6 iron and 5 iron, all different brands and all were DEMO clubs. That's the club situation at this time, but that will change as I progress.
Any other advice or suggestions you want to add would be great too.

Sorry for the length.

Thanks for your time.

Nalajr