Every Wednesday, we play pickleball. And last week, during the weekly game, I had a mishap on the court. I misjudged the distance of the incoming ball and hit myself on the knee. Ouch! You could say it was dangerous play, but it was self-inflicted!
We were using the court adjacent to our regular choice. The lighting on the court felt different, but enough to cause some error in judgment. Several times, I found it hard to gauge the approaching ball’s distance accurately.
Then the accident happened. It was a low ball, and my paddle just grazed the right side of my knee. Not too strong a move, but enough to have a shooting pain immediately. Double ouch. Thankfully, somebody had a pain relief ointment for me to use. I had to sit down to recover from the excruciating pain.
Pickleball can be a dangerous game if one is not careful or misjudges the ball’s path and one’s own strength. It took several days for the bruise on my knee to subside.
Recently, I’ve been experiencing loud cracking and popping in my left foot, especially when I wake up and move. It gets worse as I try to stretch out the kinks. Something is not right with my body. This morning pattern has been ongoing for several weeks and is annoying, especially when I want to be quiet; the cracking noise gives me away!
Deciding to take action, I visited my regular physiotherapist. The diagnosis revealed that my issue stemmed from improper walking due to my knee. I suspect from navigating the undulating terrains of the golf course whenever my ball does not land on the flat fairways, causing muscle stress, misalignment, and bone-cracking—quite a complex set of problems for the left leg! I even learned a new term for my problem: crepitus.
During the treatment, I was stretched, pulled, and kneaded for an hour or so. I could feel the difference after the session. My misalignment is gone! Phew. I can’t help but wonder if this problem has contributed to my recent struggles in my golf game. Hmm, the possibility looks that way.
I hope to play better golf as my misalignment problems are resolved. I don’t expect an immediate improvement in my game yet, as I’m still trying to get back into the groove, but being realigned and not having any pain while golfing is already a win.
I’ve lost track of the days during this Hari Raya festive holiday as my weekend and weekday seem to have merged into one long stretch. As a result, my activity schedule has become quite disorganized. Throw in a lunch get-together with friends that stretches into teatime – it’s no wonder I’ve lost track of time!
Recently, my golf game has not been going well, so I’ve decided to cut back on playing to focus on recovering my mental strength before I tackle the sport again. In the meantime, I’ve been playing more pickleball!
My usual twice or thrice-a-week golf has been reduced to once a week, while my pickleball has increased to twice a week. I find that the latter sport is less of a mental challenge. Although I’m still new at it, I’m making progress. The two-hour pickleball session can be tiring but not as draining as a round of golf that lasts four hours or more.
Golf has always posed a mental challenge for me to play better. And at times, I worry that I may aggravate an old injury or acquire a new one. Unfortunately, it has not been as enjoyable for me lately. I’m surprised I’ve reached this point with a sport I’ve enjoyed all these years. Perhaps the long holiday or my disorganized schedule is contributing to these feelings? Or simply, I’m just overthinking things!
P/S I have really lost track of time! This post is out on a Wednesday instead of the usual Tuesday. Eeeks.
Lately, my golf game has not been the best. I have to confess the games played in Vietnam were underwhelming, especially putting. Then again, the erratic putting was due to using a new and different putter. I have to elaborate on this next time.
However, I was not too bothered by my performance. After all, the trip was more about enjoying the company, the sights, the food, and the weather. As an afterthought, if the weather during the three games had been more comfortable and not that cold, would the results have been different? Oh well, that’s golf for you—filled with ‘what ifs’ and ‘could haves’ and ‘should haves’ thereafter.
Subconsciously, I was careful not to aggravate my tennis elbow, so the shots I took were more cautious or held back. It’s interesting to note the cold weather may have helped prevent further flare-ups, so I am grateful for this!
However, upon returning to hot and humid conditions, I couldn’t strike the ball well for the few games I played. It was as if I didn’t know how to play golf anymore! What is happening? Sigh.
I hope I can fix my problem soon; otherwise, any upcoming game will be more down than up!
It was a trip mooted last year, and it felt like forever for the day to arrive. When it finally did, the five-day golf trip to Vietnam came and flew by quickly! It was our first golfing trip for 2025, and yes, I was excited.
At the beginning of the year, I took some time off from golf to allow my tennis elbow to recover. I had to if I wanted to enjoy the golf trip pain-free. The self-imposed break worked out well because we had all the Chinese New Year celebrations during this time.
Golfing in Ha Long and Hanoi this time was quite an experience. It was cold, quite cold, and super cold during the three games we played, two being in Ha Long and one in Hanoi.
Last year, when we were in Hanoi for golf, it wasn’t that cold compared to this time. And the last time I wore three layers of clothing for golf to keep warm was back in 2019 when we were in Oregon! Goodness, that’s quite a while back.
Ha Long was beautiful and serene. It felt very laid-back and untouched. The golf course, Tuan Chau Golf Club, was relatively flat in its terrain. But there was a lot of water surrounding the course, being an island, after all.
The first meal upon arrival in Hanoi
The second course was more challenging, FLC Halong Golf Club. Up in the hills, the terrain was a challenge to walk in and out. Both courses did not allow the golf buggies into the fairways. So, you can imagine the toll on the knees if the ball landed far away from the buggy track.
The weather was cool but misty, or rather, hazy, spoiling the scenery of Ha Long Bay beyond the signature Par 3 hole. No amount of attempts or the best smartphone could capture the natural beauty in the hazy condition. Sigh.
Top: Tuan Chau; Bottom: FLC Halong
Weather aside, there were some highlights from the trip. Our group enjoyed a sumptuous lunch on a cruise on the bay, followed by a short trek into the Ha Long Cave. Again, the pictures taken do not do justice to the beauty of this natural wonder.
In the blink of an eye, two rounds of golf in Ha Long were under the belt, along with a few phở meals and plenty of beer. We bid farewell to Ha Long and left for Hanoi for the rest of our stay in Vietnam.
Although tomorrow is the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration, there is an overlap of festivities today, hence, a break in between with a public holiday. Nice.
It is Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrating the victory of good over evil. Typically, during this holiday, we would sleep in or do nothing. However, being a couch potato may not be a good idea, what with eating all those festival cookies and meals for the last two weeks.
I think once Chap Goh Meh is over, full-swing exercise, or better yet, full steam ahead to play golf. With all that time away from the golf course, I think I had enough rest to allow my tennis elbow to recover.
I’m surprised it took me two weeks into the new year to play my first golf game! It is more circumstantial than by choice. Two weeks ago, I went to Bangkok for that impromptu trip with the girls. Then, this past weekend, I opted out of the weekend game to let a visiting friend’s daughter play.
In retrospect, the time off allowed more rest for my tennis elbow. Yup, that darn injury is still nagging. There are occasions when the pain spikes and it becomes an irritation. Ugh.
Regardless of whether I can or will play well due to the nagging injury, we will find out. I look forward to the fellowship with the lady golfers group for the first game of the year!
It is the last day of 2024! What a year it has been for me. There were more travels than ever, more memories made as the year progressed, and sadly, a new injury. Let’s recap for the record.
My DIY crafting and building miniatures waned and came to a complete halt when my travels kicked in. It’s unfortunate after four years at it, project after project. Well, maybe come 2025, the interest will return. Only time will tell.
At the beginning of the year, I went to Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore, for golf and leisure. My flight distance and time increased dramatically with an app I downloaded to track these things. In October, I added Japan to round up my travels abroad. I figured I had reached a milestone, so I should travel more. In total, I flew 19,768 km with a flight time of one day, six hours, and 38 minutes. I’m wondering if I can top these stats with the new year. We will find out!
Wonderful memories are created with the travels and truly cherished. We played at new golf courses in Vietnam and Indonesia, and I savored the time with my golfing friends. What more can I ask for? My best memory is meeting up with an old college friend in Hanoi! The precious few hours we had is something I will never forget. We talked as if we were never apart for the last few decades that flew by.
The family trips were all about food, sights, and new experiences. Bangkok was all about walking, shopping, and eating. Likewise, Japan, but more. Wonderful, wonderful time together. I hope we can do such trips come 2025!
My golfing ability has been up and down for the year. The top highlight was being crowned the Overall Champion for my Tuesday Group’s annual game in August. I guess I peaked at the right occasion! I hope I can rediscover my momentum for the new year because I picked up a new injury right after that game.
The right tennis elbow sucks. As such, the golf has been on a downslide. But I’m not upset by this disability because hubby and I picked up pickleball to stay active! And I play with my left hand, thus preserving the right side from further aggravation. I wear an elbow guard, just to be safe, though.
Toward the end of the year, I reconnected with another old friend who migrated and was visiting. She’s my bestie’s older sister and an ardent golfer, so it was wonderful to host her. Despite the elbow woes, the time together was more important.
As 2024 winds down, I reflect on what has happened and look forward to the new year ahead. I’ve stopped making resolutions but tend to keep a positive mind as I believe in ‘you are what you think you are’ to face what’s ahead. Attract the good vibes and keep the bad ones away or at bay.
On a global scale, sports, politics, war, world peace, and climate challenges share the headlines. I’d rather not elaborate as details on these issues are available freely online. I am thankful I survived the year.
I take this opportunity to thank all my readers and supporters who have kept me going in my blog and to wish everyone a Happy New Year! May 2025 bring peace and prosperity to all.
Cheers and adieu 2024, it’s a wrap, and thanks for the memories!
The threat of the monsoon rain last week did not materialize drastically to affect the golf games when I hosted a visiting friend. We were most fortunate to take in another two games. In total, we played three and a half rounds, the half being the first game that lasted only nine holes due to the downpour.
While it was fun to be playing so many games in good weather, the game performance went from bad to worse. Hahahaha. Could it be we were talking so much? I do admit the tennis elbow did act up now and then. Sigh. However, it’s not like the course was hard to handle – it’s my home course, and I play there week in, week out, three times a week!
I do notice that when I talk and laugh a lot during a round of golf, I don’t play well – the focus is not there. Oh well, it was more for the company, which was great. And we were fortunate the weather held up for the bonding time.
I’m glad I could host my friend for several games, rain or shine, and she has plenty of good memories to bring back when she leaves Malaysia. I look forward to future golf games with her on her next return trip.
It has been a wet month as we wrap up the year. We are facing a second phase of the year-end monsoon rain. Last week, the weather had its moment and washed out an afternoon golf game when I hosted a visiting friend for a round. We completed only nine holes, which was a blessing in disguise because my tennis elbow was acting up! Bummer.
Three days after that wet round, we played another afternoon game. Thankfully, Mother Nature was kind to us despite the rain forecast. We completed the game in good weather, with only a slight drizzle that did not disrupt the momentum. And somehow, the tennis elbow pain was manageable. Phew. The weekend games after that were also fortunate, without any threat of rain or pain.
However, this week may not be as good. The Weather app on the iPhone shows rain forecasted for the whole week. Golf will have to take a backseat if the forecasts are accurate. We will find out.
Angieneering 
Remarks