Steve Stricker is finally hitting balls again.

Stricker, 47, was given clearance by his doctors to finally hit wedges after surgery in December to repair a bulging disk in his lower back, which would alleviate pain in his hip.

Stricker had been limited for several years due to the bulging disk. He last played at the Franklin Templeton Shootout in early December before the surgery.

A 12-time winner on Tour, Stricker is limited to about 25 balls to start and then will determine if he has any pain or discomfort before increasing the number of balls and progressing through the bag with different clubs.

Stricker hopes to play either in the Shell Houston Open or more likely the Valero Texas Open before playing in the Masters at Augusta National in April.