Monday, March 15, 2010

Band-Aid Helper

- Audio version at the end of this post –

I can’t tell you how many lessons or golf schools I have given where a students have injuries on their hands that need the help and protection of adhesive bandages, better known as Band-Aids. These injuries range from cuts and scrapes to the painful skin cracks from dried skin that need antibiotic ointments on them, as well as keeping the wound covered for healing. Then there is the painful callous from over practicing or bad grips that allows the club to slide. It needs to be covered to buffer and reduce the pain. Whatever the reason, many golfers practice and play with Band-Aids on their hands every day.

And every day they all suffer the same fate. Their bandage keeps coming off. Bandages don’t stand the test of time and swings. They need constant changing. Before you know it you have run out of the extra supply you brought to the course. Then there is the problem in the summer with perspiration. Sweat a little and the bandage stops sticking to your skin and tears or falls off. Whatever the reason, bandages are a problem.

There is an answer and it lasts. That is it keeps on sticking like a Timex keeps on ticking. I know this because I use this tape. I just bought a new roll as my old one was getting real small. The sales slogan on the package reads “Cushions, sticks even in water.” I can attest to that and add, “Even when you sweat.”

I call it “rubber tape” or “flex tape.” It keeps on sticking through swings all day and into tomorrow. It lasts even through your shower. It is flexible and that makes it awesome for covering wounds in the flex joints of your fingers. You can bend or flex your fingers gripping the club, and the tape bends just like your golf glove, for perfect contact.

If you need the antiseptic ointments and a Band-Aid, you put the flex tape right over it. Just be sure to have a good amount of the flex tape touching your skin on both sides of the bandage. Flex tape will stay sticking and protecting until you pull it or cut it off.

This flex tape is made by Nexcare First Aid, a 3M company, and is labeled, “ABSOLUTE WATERPROOF TAPE.” It comes on a roll 1 inch x 180 inches (5 yards) and is light beige in color. You can purchase it in most drug stores (for around $5.50) in the section where bandages and medical tapes are stacked or hung up for sale.

There is another tape that also works well for staying on. The roll I have does not have a name on the inside of the roll but only the company name, Modern Aids, Inc. The tape is white and is best described as a looking like a gauze bandage on a roll, so I call it “gauze tape.” This tape sticks to itself and not to your skin. So, when you take some off the roll, you better fold over the end so you can find it the next time you need tape. It stays on most of the time, but can slip off with moisture and perspiration. If it stays on, you usually have to cut it to get it off.

The real downside is it does not flex well when used in the finger joints. But the upside to gauze tape is it is great to wrap around a grip to add size and or increase tackiness and grip control. Many golfers and PGA Tour player, Scott Verplank comes to mind, wrap it around their putter grip. Most players that I know use gauze tape on the putter. They like the somewhat abrasive feel it has for added control. And many who putt with their golf glove off like it in the hot weather for the grip control they get when their hands are sweating bullets.

All in all, many golfers need tape on their fingers for healing protection and often just for cushioning a callous or blister. I am NEVER without a roll of the flex tape and gauze tape in my bag. I occasionally need it myself, but am always giving it to my students to cover their slipping Band-Aids. Either way, the best cushioning and staying-stuck power, especially if you need it in a finger joint, is the Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape.

The Surge!

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Comments

44 Responses to “Band-Aid Helper”
  1. Fernando says:

    Don,
    Your Inner Circle is in need of attention. Many of the items promised to the members are not available.(Monthly calls and webinars, handicap software, access to you and DJ) The many questions on the forum for you have not been answered. Many of us i the Inner Circle are feeling like outsiders.

    I only post this here because I think you read these comments frequently. I’m a fan and student.

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world and don’t forget about your Inner Circle.

    All the best,

    Fernando

  2. David Musk says:

    I have e mailed several times in regaards to you golf schools, dates, times, locations, but have not received any response

  3. Ray Gawlak says:

    Hi Don-

    Let me add a “ditto” to Fernando’s message. I think the new driving video should be made available as part of the Inner Circle package. We are getting short-changed on the IC membership.

  4. Terry says:

    Surge- Another option for the flex tape, and much more economical, is horse leg-wrap tape. Not sure why it is used but I bought some to cover a large wound and it was like magic. In the Midwest you can find it at a hardware store. Multiple colors to match your golfing togs!! Not sure about the cement jungles. T

  5. corey says:

    Don,
    I paid for the videos and manual. Are there any special offers to those who have your program and want the dead straight drives videos? Thanks
    Corey

  6. dan says:

    We already bought your cd and manuals and we still have to fork with this? You already cooked as good for the first time and this too. It should be going to bonus not $$$$.

  7. Stretch C says:

    The gauze tape you refer to is GauzeTex or some variation of that. Before I started using a ten finger grip I had to use the product all the time.

  8. Stretch C says:

    http://www.pgaprovideos.com/don-and-dj-swings is where I look the videos over. Well done having the two views in parallel.

  9. Michael Haider says:

    I bought the video’s and I see others talk about a manual. Was that included? If so how do I get it.

  10. Ed Boatner says:

    Don, tell the lefties that complain about the videos that they can look at them in a mirrow and everything is reversed.

  11. Dave H says:

    Something I have found that works great for cracks in the skin and around the fingernails, especially in the winter is “super glue”. The pain goes away immediately because the skin stops trying to separate even further and you don’t have to worry about it coming loose with moisture. The do make a surgical super glue and I believe you can buy a product in the drug store made especially for cuts if you are afraid of using regular super glue. Just be careful what you touch before it dries completely. You may end up with a golf club permanently attached to your hand.

  12. mike shuppert says:

    Dan and Cory have some good questions.

  13. I realy like the polo surge shirt .would i be able to purshase one soon

  14. Thanks for the band-aid tips. will be putting some in my bag when spring rolls around.

  15. Bruce P. says:

    Don,

    I finally got your videos of your and DJ’s swings. Thanks a lot. I have two questions, First, in your swing you say you play the wedges through the seven in the middle of your stance. To me it appears the ball is about 1″ inside your right heel. If thats what you call the middle maybe that is part of my problem. I have been calling the middle as half way between my right and left foot.

    Second, On DJ’s video his backswing goes way beyond yours to where the shaft of the club is about horizontal at the top of his backswing.

  16. Al says:

    After reading all this about how poorly your marketing team is treating everyone I have decided not to purchase your product even though I wanted to. There is nothing more frustrating than a non responsive e-market product team. Sorry

  17. André Juneau says:

    To Ray Gawlak

    I agree with you Ray. I was very sad when I received the Don’s surprise yesterday and what a surprise about the new driving video. I though it should be available as part of the Inner Circle package too. As you told we are getting short-changed on the IC membership. Don, If you don’t respect your IC members more than that I will cancell that membership and I will choose the best of your offers. It will be less expensive like that.

  18. Mike M says:

    I use guaze tape on my right forefinger. I use the same gauze tape that is used for Tennis Racquets. Works for me.

  19. Larry H. says:

    Sounds like the stuff that Vets us in treating animal wounds. Cheaper if you get it at t farm store rather that at pharmacy. Big price difference. It is used a lot for wrapping horses’ ankles. My wife’s foot doctor told her to go there for it when he removed her big toe nail. It sticks to itself and forms a flexible and spongy covering.

    I also use if for making fishing lures and flies as it comes in purple and pink which are the two main colors for fishing for salmon and steelhead in rivers.

  20. Ken says:

    I think that making the videos available to the Inner Circle members at no cost or a very good discount is an excellent idea since most of what is promised is not being made available as of yet and I think it is about the time when Don said he expected the IC to be at full capacity (By early 2010). I personally dropped out of the IC because it currently offers nothing more than this forum so why should I be paying $20, with the money I am saving by not paying the $20 I will be able to purchase the Driving videos!
    Happy Golfing
    Ken

    PS:
    TO AL, some of these problems that are being expressed here have to be taken lightly, I have not had any trouble receiving what I have ordered, not everyone is good with computers and surely are sometimes bringing problems on themselves. For example, I see a question above from Michael H. asking if he was going to get the manual with his order and it is just as plain as day on the website which states that it is available for an additional cost, I personally made the same mistake and then later recalled the offer and we all need to remember that these guys handle alot of people so some miscommunication and mistakes will happen.

  21. Barry says:

    Don, I kind of agree with some of the comments about the driver video. I have read many blogs which deal with the difficulty of hitting the driver – maybe the only problem with picking up the PPGS new system. I also feel that offering this in December, when there is snow on the ground in the East is bad timing on your part. I would be hard pressed to purchase something that costs more than the PPGS system, and mothball it until April. You seem much smarter than that. I love the PPGS – although I have “lost” the swing every few weeks at the range, but never on the course. It has helped me hit the ball much better, and my back (surgery in 2008) feels much better than it did before, Please reconsider this offer before you lose some customers and followers.

  22. A Swede says:

    Hi Don

    If you or your staff are seriously interested why I am not jumping into your offer you can think twise

    It has less to do with your potentially golf training skills and products but more with the communication/sales approach you are taking (Like a second hand car dealer or insurance sales persons)

    You are making offers in a weekly, daily, hourly and sometimes with minutes deadlines for me to get unbelievable discounts. As soon the deadline is over the process starts again (Buy the way I know marketing over internet)

    I am not at all upset about your approach but mainly surprised that you don’t have realized in today global world how fast information and advertising are spread.

    All the Best

    Björn

  23. Kent Hutchinson says:

    I concur with Dave Musk above re no response about your schools etc especially in in HHI that I emailed you about several times.

    You show courage with this forum………. but is this a rope a dope technique??

  24. Golf Shop says:

    thanks for the information about injuries and remedies in golf

  25. John Sokolowski says:

    Thanks Don for the information about the flex tape. I have been using it forever and love it. However, not that the tape is out of the bag the drug stores will be increasing the price because the demand goes up. I’m going to buy more tape right now before the price goes up.

  26. larry martell says:

    this is weird. Just today I had to play with tape on my hand for the first time ever.I am a carpenter and my hands are very tough I never use a bandage but had to today. After going to the range and trying the new swing with out my glove on I ripped the skin off my hand were the grip but rest. Is this telling me my club is moving in my hand and how do I stop it I am left handed and the skin came off the heal of my hand.

  27. robert bennett says:

    the excitement just got one sided with $67 price tag. questionable salesmanship.

  28. Edward Witkowski says:

    I am getting the 10 golf tips and reading the blogs.I am interested and thinking of getting the dvds.Then the email offer I got to buy the driver dvds was just to much.It seems like you set out to get everyone hooked on the first dvds which I understand does not show much video swinging the club.Now you want to charge to see the swing.I hope I am wrong .I just think it should all be one package.

  29. Frank says:

    VetWrap is what I use. What’s good 4 the horses is good 4 me.

  30. Jim Lees says:

    When I look at D.J.’s swing it looks to me like his first move back is a cocking of his wrists. Also, he goes past parallel at the top with his driver. I’m looking forward to Spring to try out my (your) swing.

  31. jerry foley says:

    I have written in a few times and for sure don’t mean to be a contrarian. I actually applaud Don’s teaching methods. I do however believe that much of the controversy over wrist cock is much to do about nothing. Swinging a club is like running. Many will never be as fast as others simply due to athletic ability. But everyone “can” learn to swing close to plane and square. I challenge anyone to find a video of a pro who doesn’t get on-plane on his down swing with a square club face. Furyk may loop on the way back but gets it together coming down and this may be misleading to the untrained eye. Don and DJ both, whatever their visualizations may say, are close to plane and square at impact. The only exception is when they are consciously playing a draw or fade which then alters the swing path in order to impart the intentional spin.

    Now, back to wrist cock and athleticism. Once a golfer learns to swing close to plane with a square club face the ability to hit it far is more a result of swing speed and to a lessor extent hitting it flush (sweet spot). I have been working with a major university on kinesiology and motor skill learning and there is much effort in the study of how one achieves a desired physical result, i.e. learn a golf swing. In today’s golf world “visualization” is about all there is because most all golf technology is post impact. That is, computer driven analysis is geared towards helping the Pro help the student “after” he has hit his shot in the hope he can provide insight to the student. The student must then interpret that insight into new corrective swing behavior. And that is where it falls apart. 1/2 hour once a week is simply not enough. Would a school child or college student learn anything going to class one-half hour a week? Don’s program is helpful and even perhaps the best there is. But more is needed and I’ll leave it at that for now.

    As for DJ’s wrist cock, if you can learn to swing on-plane and keep the club face square you “will” learn to find your own tempo and individual swing anomalies (wrist movement points). As you increase your swing speeds certain physical laws of physics and physical body DNA take over. Few can bend like Freddy and most wind up swinging like Jack or Arnie as they get older. Which leads me to my last thought. I wonder if Don has ever approached either Jack or Arnie about changing their swings to enjoy golf in old age? I suppose they would rather look all twisted up rather than change their signature swings that made them famous. Silly because both should rather enjoy the game than maintain their image.

  32. Woody Grace says:

    I realize that Don is a busy guy, so maybe one or two of you readers out there might be able to help me out. I can use the PPGS with ANY of my irons and hit the ball where I’m aiming most of the time(have gotten and getting much better with my irons) because I SQUARE the club face to the ball at set-up centered between my feet(the bottom of my swing arch).

    The driver….well, that’s another ‘inconsistent’ story so to speak. Most, if not all of my tee shots are a slice to the right(Rt. handed) into the adjacent fairway(I think an out-to-in swing). When I close the club face at set-up(centered between my feet) just a little bit, it helps some but the ball takes on a little bit of corkscrew path down the fairway but at least its in MY fairway. I could use a little help guys. Thanks, Woody

  33. Ken says:

    I would like to say that I have been taking lessons for almost 2 years, there was an initial $100 fee plus $45 a month and that was the cheapest plan available and it provided me with one lesson a month plus unlimited use of a laser practice facility, so in 2 years time that would have cost me well over $1000 and while it was helpful, the pace I which I was improving was very frustrating. I bought the PPGS for under a $100 and have improved significantly in a short amount of time and have more confidence than ever so even though it may not be sitting well with some of you, I think you are getting a good deal all things considered but I still stand by my comments that the Inner Circle membership should be getting a better offer since they are paying an extra $20 a month.
    Happy Golfing
    Ken

  34. Woody Grace says:

    to J. Griffin:
    I live out the country and across a county road from a hay field. I going to try your advice tomorrow and let you know how it goes. If you will, send me an email to woodygrace59@yahoo.com w/some kind of contact info and I’ll see if I can send you some kind of video of my swing. Thanks and God Bless, Woody

  35. Lewis says:

    Don,

    This is a great piece of advice here.

    Thanks for the tips

  36. WOODY PERES says:

    I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE COMMENTS ON
    THE DRIVER DVD. THOSE OF US WHO ARE MEMBERS SHOULD GET A DISCOUNT.

    THE PEOPLE WHO GET THE FREE TEASE SHOULD PAY FULL PRICE.
    I AM SURE THAT THE DVD IS GOOD-BUT I’M NOT GOING TO BUY IT. I THINK MOST OF US WILL VOTE WITH OUR WALLETS.
    YOU CAN’T SELL IT ON THE OPEN MARKET.
    WE ARE YOUR SALES POOL-AND DON
    I THINK YOU HAVE A CLUNKER ON YOUR HANDS.

  37. Joe Mofa says:

    Don,
    Another interesting product for playing with callouses or cuts is called “fore finger”. It is a a neoprene type soft rubber elastic that slides over your finger and can be used in place of tape or if you use several in place of a glove. I use it on 2 fingers of my right hand instead of tape. They can last several years or a few hundred rounds and cost about $10. for a pack of six. I bought them on the internet.
    Joe

  38. Ronnie McCurry says:

    Bruce P, I noticed the same thing about the ball placement close to the back foot. I have commented on this on two different occasions, but received not answer. I am sure Don is very busy. Also maybe it is the camera angle.

  39. Robert Meade says:

    Hey Surge, Thanks for the advice on tape. I get cracked skin and other issues that require band aids. I’ll give the Nexcare a shot.
    Have to agree, I was bummed by the 67.00 price tag too. I would have bought it for 25.00 or so.
    As with many of your clients my driver is the least consistent and gives me the most problems.
    I really love your PPGS system and too am one of your strongest supporters. I have commented several times that you and DJ DO NOT COCK your wrists, it just appears that way as you “ROLL” your forarms into the mit. For me, 90percent of my improvement has come because of now not cocking my hands and wrist as I had for 35 years. Thought the inner circle was (is) pretty cool, and the “DON SHOW” is awsome, but agree it tough to hang on with only the forum.
    Continued success, Robert

  40. Ronnie McCurry says:

    After reading about the benefits of magnetic therapy I received the two bracelets I ordered today. One I bought for my stepfather because he is an ex pow and has arthritis and after numerous heart attacks has a defibrilator. I opened the bracelet and gave it to him and before he put it on he read the literature that was with and it stated do not wear this if you have a defibrilator. Thanks for nothing. After all it is just an expensive rubber band.

    Thanks again Surge. You know how to get in peoples pockets.

  41. Ben Holton says:

    Hey Surge.

    I am surprised no one else has thought to use what I do for sore fingers and thumbs.
    I have been using the the Rubber Finger Tips that you find at most office supply stores for several years,
    The come in three different sizes. They don’t stick to ones fingers and last for several rounds of golf.

  42. To Mr. Musk or anyone regarding PPGS schools please contact me directly Ken Trahan at 888-847-9464. We are currently formulating dates for next year’s schools, and they will be published in the very near future.

  43. Rodney says:

    Hi, Surge!
    Re: the cracked and dry fingers, try the Climb On! Bar. My daughter introduced me to it when I told he I didn’t want to visit her in Seattle anymore, because my finger tips would split and be very painful. She got a tin of it for me and told me to scrape a little of it with my other hand’s fingernail and squash it into the split at my finger tips. I was able to stay in Seattle for the whole two weeks without any pain after that. Contact them at http://www.climbonproducts.com to find out where the nearest retail outler is. If you suffer from that dry and cracked skin, you’ll be glad you checked it out. I even introduced it to Hawaii, where surfers also need the products.

  44. JIM BARNEY says:

    could you please email me yours and DJ’s pro swings video,i like watching them. thanks jim

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