A Quick Guide to Playing Golf with Arthritis

(NC)—With another winter season behind us, thousands of golf-starved Canadians have been making a beeline to the fairways. But is it possible to play if you have arthritis? Golf is an adaptable activity that increases strength, mobility and range of motion. It also improves balance and coordination and can help maintain a healthy body weight. To ensure that you’re not putting additional stress on your joints as you aim for that hole in one, the Arthritis Society recommends the following tips:

• Use clubs with lightweight graphite shafts to help absorb shock better.

• Build up the grip size on your clubs with tape to help you hold them more easily.

• Always stretch and warm up properly before you play.

• Always use tees to avoid striking the ground and jarring your joints.

• Use a softer ball with a higher spin rate.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes or golf shoes without spikes. You may also want to wear cushioning in your shoes.

• Take only the clubs you will use and pull your clubs on a cart rather than carrying them.

More information about managing arthritis can be found online at www.arthritis.ca.

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