GOLFING WITH ARTHRITIS
Bob Forman
Certified Golf Fitness Instructor
MS, Exercise Physiologist
As the population in this country advances in age, many are experiencing various degrees of arthritis. While advanced stages of the joint disease can be debilitating, there are steps you can take to better manage your arthritis and continue to enjoy, and improve, your golf game.
It was once thought that arthritis and exercise did not mix. . . similar to the misconception about golf and exercise. We now know, through research, that exercise is an essential intervention for both.
A regular program of cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility exercises can provide many benefits for those who suffer from arthritis. Besides improving overall health, moderate exercise will keep joints moving, helping to alleviate the stiffness often associated with the condition. Exercise can also strengthen the muscles surrounding joints, supporting them, and alleviating the impact from daily activities.
Designing the exercise program to improve muscle deficiencies will not only fulfill the arthritis requirement, it will help the golfer better their body to better their swig. This will ease, somewhat, the discomfort from the affected joints and improve performance on the golf course. . . a win-win situation. The exercise routine should be progressive in nature and tolerable to the individual. A preliminary assessment to determine what specific deficiencies the golfer has will help target weaker areas and make for a more time-efficient program.
Some recommendations from the Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritis.org may also help:
- Use a lower compression ball (a 90 instead of a 100, for example). This will provide some give of the ball at impact
- Use graphite shafts to help absorb some of the shock and/or switch to a softer, oversized grip
- Wear comfortable walking shoes or spikeless golf shoes
- Always loosen up before you play. Begin by walking for a few minutes. Spend five to 10 minutes stretching, then take 10 to 15 swings on the practice range before the first tee.
Arthritis does not have to slow you down on the golf course. Always check with your physician to see if playing golf is okay and before starting an exercise program as he/she may have some specific recommendations. Then seek out a qualified golf fitness instructor to help you assess and design a personalized golf fitness program that will help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis, and improve your game.
Note: If you do suffer from arthritis in the hands, check out the Silver Series from Bionic Glove.
Click on the logo to go to their website.
