Welcome to the club J!!!
Always was a mid handicapper (low to mid 80's scores) but after a bad fall 20 years ago at age 45 resulting in 2 crushed discs in my back, a shattered left tibia, a fused right ankle, a bum shoulder, and a year of recovery I found my golf game was in the toilet and couldn't swing a club without falling over. I parked the clubs in the garage for 5 years thinking golf was off my list, but I was lucky enough to have a surgeon who was obligated to tell me what to expect medically, but kind enough to whisper that perseverance is the most powerful treatment for any ailments. I decided that I just have to live with the limitations and started playing again with a slower and smoother swing so I don't fall over, and daily work-outs on strength and flexibility. Took several years to accept that I would never get back to the old game, and some days I struggle finishing 18 holes, but I'm playing golf! I get it down to the mid 80's now and then, I'm good if I break 90, and some days I'm lucky to break 100, but I keep coming back.
My advise to you is, no excuses. You're playing golf! Golf is a sport that challenges you against yourself, physically and mentally. So now the physical challenge is a bit more. If you were a low handicapper before the surgeries, and that's where you want to be, I'm confident you'll get there again. You're playing golf! After a good round you look in the mirror the next morning and say "I beat you yesterday" and after a bad round you look in the mirror and say "You got me yesterday, but today, I own you."

I look back at 70 years of playing golf and seeing deterioration, partly age but also injury. The very best thing for me in coming back from hand surgery, a frozen shoulder, and later, surgery to reconnect a ruptured quad tendon, was rehab. Can you get an order for rehab?

Barry,
Sorry to hear about your injury.....but hey after perservence.....you are back on the course and truly enjoying what you do! That's the positive in this. Keep playing for as long as your can.

In this game you have to yield to age and injury. I saw an interview with Jack Nicklaus a few months ago and he described his golf game at age 81. He said that he struggles to hit the ball 200 yds off the tee and plays the forward Men's tee. He also said that if he hits a bad shot that he drops down another ball. This is from the GOAT, so how do you think he feels after watching some video of the Golden Bear of 40-50 years ago.

It happens to all of us as age creeps up on us. JE went thru back surgery on Feb 3, 2020 and spent the whole year recovering, thru a physical therapist and physiotherapist. Realized in December to light workouts at the range and full golf in January. Tuff to handle at 74+ but back to playing three days a week. I use to love to walk and play but when I started having all the back issues, that ceased and I climbed on the cart. Also found out that I had pulmonary issues and was told by my doctor that may never be able to walk 18 holes ever again. So I climbed on the old iron horse and began restarting my game and after a year off it was hard, really hard. The back and hips really hurt and even exercising hurts. Went to another neurosurgeon and they ran many more tests and the bottom line is that I have arthritis in my lower back and hips. No more surgery. 800mgs of Ibuprofen, at least three a day, helps. On a windy chilly day, wish I could take more. When I retired to play golf no one said there would be so many aches and pains. Say lave! Golf is a strange game and can take it's toil on the body with the twists and turns it takes to hit that little white ball. Power is something we want to attain and with that comes danger. Guess I am paying for that now and 26 years of playing league and traveling softball.
Am finding that I can no longer swing as fast but with that the ball might just be going a little father. After working for three months on the old game I am so tired of playing in the 90s and am getting the numbers in the 80s and hoping to get to the bottom side of that number and hopefully by by the summer, maybe the high 70s. But then again, the designer of our course had other ideas when he put in his creation for greens that everyone wants to play now but when the newness wears off, they all will tire of it and we that belong will be able to get back to normal. A municipal should be something for all levels to play and enjoy, which our makeover is not. It has been designed for the lower handicapper. Hoping my back will hold up and I can continue to improve and that everyone on here who has back issues can continue on their recovery. It take time and patience. At my age, I am playing the age appropriate tees, I have nothing left to prove, other than I want to have fun. Just cannot force myself to move up to the Super Senior Tees yet. With respect.

Chuck, I will turn 62 in a few weeks. In October I had hip replacement surgery. I previously was a college track & field athlete and coach. My main event was hurdles. I followed a strict physical therapy plan that included a good amount of lifting. It was progressive and increased in intensity gradually. I'm back on the course and feeling great. I encourage you to find a TPI Certified Trainer who can work with you to create a physical fitness plan that addresses both your strengths and weaknesses. They are trained on specific golf movements and really know their stuff.