Golf is a game loved and played by people of all ages. It provides a stimulating mental challenge, a healthy walk in pleasant surroundings, stress-relief and an opportunity to socialise. If you walk 18 holes a few times a week, you’ll also be giving your heart a good endurance workout. Swinging a golf club involves core muscles and joints, like the hamstring, shoulder and wrist. Depending on your joints affected, you may need to modify your equipment. A specialist golf shop can help you to choose the right equipment to minimise strain on your joints. 

Modifications

Specific modifications will depend on your joints affected, but you may consider the following:

• Equipment modifications may include lighter-weight clubs, low-compression balls, longer clubs, push or pull golf carts, motorised golf carts, spikeless shoes, etc.
• Game modifications may include playing 9 holes instead of 18, playing shorter yard markers, etc.

Tips

Strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints involved in golf – such as hand and forearm, shoulder, hip and low back – to improve your game and lessen the chance of injury.

Progression

• Use the driving range to work on swing modifications.
• Play shorter rounds and build up to playing a full course.

You can read more helpful tips on golfing with arthritis at the Arthritis Foundation website.