GOLF

Aiming for putting

by Rob Krieger

Dave Pelz, the putting guru for the game of golf, says that putting is about 40% of the game, and for some, even higher. As a junior golfer, mine was higher, and it was because I never properly learned one of the most critical elements of putting: how to aim the putter toward the hole. I know it seems pretty simple and extremely basic. One would think that there is not much to lining up your putter to stroke a putt; place the putter behind the ball and stroke the ball on its intended line. However, that did not always work, and I missed a lot of putts. Eventually, I discovered that there are a few key points on how to aim that made all the difference. That is when I started to make more putts and realized my putting stroke was far better than what I was showing on the course.

Holding ball and lining the line on ball toward the target.

Using the line on the ball when ball marker is down to properly get ball aimed in correct position.

When eyes are directly over the ball using an alignment rod, it should bisect the line on the ball with lines on putter.

To aim for putting, the first thing is to use one eye to aim and to align your putter toward the target or intended line. Preferably, you should be using your dominant eye. That means that when you line up, that line on the ball should be pointing toward your target when you place it back down in front of your ball marker.

Second, when you approach the ball and place the putter head behind the ball, you should use your one eye again to line up and aim the putter head with the line on the ball. This means that your dominant eye should be directly over the ball as you place the putter head down behind the ball. If you have a vision issue in your dominant eye, it is okay to use the other eye—just remember to always use one eye to line up the putter head and its markings with the line on the ball that you have already pointed at the target.

I remember being shown how to drop a ball from my eye to see if it was over it, but I had no idea it was supposed to be my dominant eye or that I should have been closing the other eye as I aimed the putter at my target. The key is to have your eye, not eyes, over the ball as you position the putter head while you align the putter head with the ball on your intended target line. Close the less dominant eye, and keep the dominant open as you get your aim. Once the putter is aligned with the line on the ball toward your target, open both eyes for depth perception and distance control. The eye, or eyes, no longer need to stay over the ball. For many of the best putters in the world, their eyes do not stay over the ball as they hit their putts. Their eyes are somewhere between the ball and the space between their feet. Where the eyes eventually end up after aiming and making your stroke will depend on your body type, arm length, and the type of putter you use.

Use one eye to get your aim and alignment and both eyes for distance control. Grab your putter, and begin working on how you aim it and the ball and see if just by aiming a little differently, it can have the same impact toward better putting as it did for me.

I hope this helps save you some strokes on the course and as always…fairways and greens!V

THE TRUTH ABOUT HERNIAS:

COMMON MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS!

by Soon O. Kim, MD / General Surgeon

Ahernia occurs when an internal organ pushes through a weak spot in a muscle or tissue— which is about as fun as it sounds. This condition is more common than you may think—more than one million hernia repairs are performed each year in the U.S. according to the Food and Drug Administration. As prevalent as they are, there are still a lot of misconceptions about hernias. Here are some common myths:

MYTH: Hernias only happen in your stomach. Many hernias occur in the abdominal area in places like the upper stomach and belly button. But hernias can also appear in different areas of the body, including the groin and upper thigh. The most common type of hernia is inguinal. These hernias are located in the groin area, and they account for 75% of all hernias.

MYTH: Only men get hernias. Anyone can get a hernia. While they are more common for men, women and even children can have hernias. In fact, femoral hernias—located in the upper thigh—are more common for women than for men. It’s important to correct this myth so that more women will be aware of the symptoms and seek treatment if needed. MYTH: I would know if I had a hernia. Some hernias go unnoticed until pressure is applied to the area. It can be easy to brush aside abdominal pain as a stomachache or to just ignore it. However, pushing through the pain could cause further tearing and make the problem much worse. If you think the pain you’re feeling may be something more, look for the signs of a hernia:

· Bulging in the painful area · Nausea or vomiting · Pain while lifting · Dull aching in the affected area · Constipation

MYTH: You can treat a hernia yourself or wait until it goes away. Hernias rarely go away on their own and often require surgery to repair. Consult with your doctor if you believe you have a hernia, and let them recommend the best treatment. Trying to self-treat a hernia or refusing to seek care can worsen symptoms. The hernia may continue to grow or even become strangulated, which is when the organ is trapped outside of the tissue and blood flow is cut off. This can cause severe pain and even life-threatening complications.

While there’s no guaranteed way to avoid a hernia, there are a few steps that may help prevent them. Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight can help you avoid the additional strain on your body that may lead to a hernia.

Additionally, focus on your core strength, as hernias often emerge through weak spots in the abdomen. If you exercise regularly, be sure to use proper form when bending and lifting to avoid tearing or overextending. These simple lifestyle adjustments can lower your risk of experiencing the discomfort of a hernia.V

Dr. Kim is the General Surgeon at Mesa View Regional Hospital and an independent member of the medical staff. She can be reached by visiting MesaViewMedical.com or by calling (702) 346-1700.