Semi-Finals and Sciatica!

Well, what a week it’s been!

Beth and I had our ladies’ knockout semi-final and, sadly, it wasn’t meant to be this time. We lost on the 17th, 2&1, but honestly, getting to the semis felt like an achievement in itself. I was off scratch and giving away 11, 12 and 17 shots (thankfully 17 was to my partner!), so it was always going to be a tough ask. We gave it a really good go though. I was chuffed to shoot just two over through 17, but we came up against better play on the day. They were worthy winners.

Then on Sunday, James and I headed over to Handsworth for a Texas Scramble Open with some friends. Such a brilliant day out! We had loads of laughs, played some decent golf, and I even managed to bag a nearest the pin! Little wins like that are always nice. I would recommend anyone to play Handsworth. It's just a traditional well established course. The greens were great, and they had managed the heat very well so that the course wasn't too burnt out..

Now onto the part of life that’s getting harder to ignore, golf while pregnant. The bump is definitely bumping now! It feels like it’s growing every time I look in the mirror! I’ve noticed I’m starting to adjust my stance and swing without even thinking about it, just to make room. It feels a bit different, but in some ways, it’s making me focus more on rhythm and balance, which isn’t a bad thing.

The toughest bit has been the sciatica pain that’s crept in. Carrying the bump around the course is one thing, but trying to swing freely when your back feels tight is another.

To help, I’ve had to build a little “pregnancy warm-up routine” before golf at home. At the moment, it includes:

• Child’s Pose – my favourite for stretching out the back.

• Cat-Cow Stretch – helps loosen everything.

• Seated hip opener – feels amazing for easing that sciatic tension.

• Pelvic tilts – gentle but brilliant for strengthening my lower back.

It might not be the typical warm-up, but it’s what’s keeping me moving and swinging without too much discomfort.

So, all in all – a semi-final run, a fun scramble, a nearest the pin, and a growing bump that’s teaching me a whole new way of approaching golf. Not a bad week at all!