Text Box: CHEMOTHERAPY AND GOLF Those of us who are about to begin chemotherapy or have undergone chemotherapy know that “chemo” is a valuable tool in battling cancer. However, could it also be a valuable tool in correcting your golf swing? I retired to Williamsburg 5 years ago to enjoy the myriad of activities, venues, opportunities. I have been a golf “hacker” for about 15 years, never getting my handicap below 13. I have taken lessons at the Kingsmill Golf Academy and from the venerable Del Snyder at the Golden Horseshoe. Del is listed by GOLF magazine and by GOLF DIGEST as one of the 100 best teaching professionals in the United States. Del made his point during our first session: “You swing too **!#+*! Fast.” As long as I was on the teaching tee with Del, my swing was slow and smooth, my ball striking was remarkably better. However, once away from Del and out on the course, my backswing remained slow and smooth, but look out for the downswing. I must admit that part of what I was told stuck. I did swing slower, some of the time, but still a little too fast. In January 2006, I started chemo. My regimen was three days a week every other week for six months. It didn’t take chemo long to enforce Del’s teaching. After a month of chemo, I recognized that if I was to finish the round, I needed to conserve energy, a lot of energy. That meant expending less effort with the swing and swinging fewer times. Expending less energy was easy . Chemotherapy stole enough energy and strength that I could no longer swing fast. A slower swing resulted in fewer swings with better contact and fewer visits to the rough. I continued to play golf throughout the six months. Admittedly it was often a chore and many times when it was “tee time”, I really didn’t feel like playing. However, I had committed to a foursome, so you play. I dropped two strokes and as I recover from chemo my hope is that the slower swing now resides in muscle memory. Chemo has been a valuable tool in correcting a swing fault. What worked for me may work for you. I’m not suggesting that you all suffer from a fast swing. What I am suggesting is that both physically and psychologically, continuing to participate in those activities which were part of my weekly routine were major elements in helping me through chemotherapy. Many days I did not feel like going to the gym or the golf course. However, I forced myself to go, and although tired, sometimes exhausted, I felt much better afterwards. Remember to hydrate. I enjoyed a beer with the guys (order a pitcher, it nears room temperature more quickly). Friends told me to “listen to your body, only do what your body feels like”. If I listened to my body, most days I would have stayed in bed. I’m suggesting that you can push yourself through chemotherapy. Do all that you think you can do and then do more. It has worked for me and I truly hope it will help you. Tony