Arthritis shouldn’t keep you off the golf links. In fact, it you enjoy the game of golf, it can be a great way to improve your hand strength and keep your upper extremities – trunk, hips and shoulders – mobile. The key is adaption. Your local golf pro shop or golf specialty store can help you keep up-to-date on the latest products designed to make golfing easier on arthritic joints.
In addition, here are a few suggestions from the Arthritis Foundation that can make your day on the course as pain-free as possible.
- Use a lower compression ball (a 90 instead of a 100, for instance), so there is more “give” to the ball when you hit it.
- Use clubs with lightweight graphite shafts to help absorb shock better.
- Use a perimeter-weighted head on the club, again, for better absorption.
- Build up the grip size on your clubs with epoxy tape to help you hold them easier and to reduce stress and pain on your finger joints.
- Try wearing wrist braces or gloves on both hands to stabilize your joints.
- Use tees whenever you hit the ball – even on the practice range – to avoid striking the ground and jarring your joints.
- Play from the 150-yard markers if you begin to get tired.
- Listen to your body throughout the round – if you being to tire, practice your chipping and putting, or play fewer holes.