Gary’s Lifelong Love for Golf
When you love a game for more than a half century, you are going to do what it takes to keep on swinging. For retired high school teacher, Gary Hamer, 77, Alpha, Il, golf is that sport.
“I’ve been playing recreationally since I was in high school. I played during college at Illinois State University, throughout my years of teaching shop and math in Orion, and now well into my retirement,” he says.
Even by avid golfer’s standards, Gary plays a lot of golf year-round. “I try to get out two to three times a week. I also hit balls at home and play a couple of local senior club tournaments when I can. When people ask me how often I play, I say ‘too often,’” he laughs.
While most QC golfers either train indoors or travel south in the winter, Gary plays on his own personal golf range set up in his backyard. It’s a virtual range simulator, complete with a launch monitor and flight scope that he can bring inside during winter months.
As an avid golfer, Gary plays year-round and even has a golf range simulator at his home.
Improving his Golf Game Thanks to ORA PT
“I can play Augusta National right here at home,” referring to the famed Georgia course that hosts the Masters every year.
Just like the pros, Gary takes his game seriously, so any injury or pain that affects his swing must be addressed. “I had hip surgery several years ago at ORA, and as I’ve aged, bursitis has flared up.
“It got to the point that I was really having trouble playing. My balance was so bad, I almost fell into a lake trying to retrieve a ball on an incline!
“My buddies caught me on the side of the hill and that was the wake up call I needed to get some professional help,” he recalls.
Gary signed up for ORA Physical Therapy’s specialized golf program, managed by avid golfers and physical therapists Nick Jagush and Jake Tegeler, both certified in the Titleist Performance Institute.
“Gary has had a hip replacement,” says Nick. “He plays so much golf, that over time, he experienced residual weakness that drove issues with bursitis and likely some tendonitis from overuse.
Gary working with Nick during PT.
“We did a PT exam to check his range of motion, hips, and surrounding tissue. We found significant mobility and range of motion issues, as well as problems with hip rotation. His physical impairments also corresponded to a video analysis of his swing. He was not following through normally, because he lacked that hip rotation. We could see his rotation and load on his left hip where the pain was. We also found deficits on his leg which correlated to his feeling more pain on his left side than right.”
Nick explains that a golf swing requires significant hip rotation and a strong core. The body adapts and compensates for pain, and he says Gary also developed a few back problems as a result. By doing strength exercises and retraining muscles around his hip we were able to build “a stronger core which resulted in creating a smoother golf swing.
“We worked on his mobility by using manual therapy, joint mobilizations, and stretching techniques. We also prescribed specialized exercises Gary did at home to strengthen his swing.”
Nick Jagush,
ORA Physical Therapy
Gary is Back on the Green
“Nick gave me the Titeleist Performance Institute exam, and I did exercises twice a day, every day at home to improve my balance, rotation, and mobility. Nick identified my problems beautifully and really pinpointed exercises that helped me. I wish I had met him about seven years ago!”
After meeting twice a week over six weeks, Gary says his swing has improved, and Nick’s data confirms his results. “Gary’s follow-up tests show greater strength and range of motion. We also analyzed his swing and it is so much smoother.
“While he’s 77-years old, his athleticism is great for his age. It’s a challenge for most seniors to work around limitations, but together we’ve maximized his potential. Gary’s active life speaks to the benefits of good health and exercise,” adds Nick.
Gary agrees. “This program felt like it was custom-tailored to me. It’s been a godsend. The program allowed me to swing without pain. Before, it hurt to bend over. I couldn’t even grab the ball out of the hole after putting.
“Now, I feel so much better. I can bend over and retrieve my ball. My balance and rotation have also improved.”
Gary says he appreciates Nick’s passion for the game. “We really connected over our love for golf. He’s an easy man to talk to and he totally understands his golf and PT.
“I would recommend the program to any golfer. The group I play with has also noticed how much better I’m playing, and now I’m staying out of the water hazards!”
