Golf and Pacemakers

[Zippo]

I was the very surprised recipient of a pacemaker on Monday. They tell me I won't be swinging a golf club for 6 weeks or so (bummer as I broke 90 for the first time a couple of weeks ago). So, I'm trying to see what I might be looking forward to - are any of you playing golf with a pacemaker installed? If so, how has it affected your game, if at all? If I get tense over the ball can I just dial the pacemaker down?  😀 Thanks.

[Greg 504]

Hey Zippo, I have a subcutaneous defibrillator. It differs from the "typical" defib or pacemaker in that I do not have any leads directly into my heart. The generator is placed under my left armpit and a lead/probe goes just below my left pec and finally right up my sternum. In the event of cardiac arrest or some potentially fatal arrhythmia, I will receive a shock directly through my sternum. 

When I started golfing after my implant, it felt very tight initially during swings. Now I don't even notice I have a device while golfing. I would think if your device is in the "normal placement" location, you won't notice it at all while swinging. Hopefully you'll heal quickly and be back to playing soon. 

[Zippo]

Thank you, @Greg 504. Mine's a dual lead implant. Glad to hear I'll be back to duffing again before too long. Lost part of this year to Covid and now another part to this thing so I may be golfing more in the rain this year. Thanks again.

[mclaren4life]

On 7/11/2020 at 9:30 AM, Zippo said:

Thank you, @Greg 504. Mine's a dual lead implant. Glad to hear I'll be back to duffing again before too long. Lost part of this year to Covid and now another part to this thing so I may be golfing more in the rain this year. Thanks again.

The key part of that “golfing more in the rain”. Its still golf baby. Speedy and safe recovery for you. 

[Zippo]

Thanks, @mclaren4life. I'm glad you didn't say anything about there being "light at the end of the tunnel". I'm trying hard to stay away from the light!  😄

[mclaren4life]

Well I don’t know you well enough yet to joke like that. Lol. 

[Double Mocha Man]

On 7/10/2020 at 6:56 PM, Zippo said:

I was the very surprised recipient of a pacemaker on Monday. They tell me I won't be swinging a golf club for 6 weeks or so (bummer as I broke 90 for the first time a couple of weeks ago). So, I'm trying to see what I might be looking forward to - are any of you playing golf with a pacemaker installed? If so, how has it affected your game, if at all? If I get tense over the ball can I just dial the pacemaker down?  😀 Thanks.

Zippo... if you want to drive the first green at Grandview just dial the pacemaker up!

Just kidding... get back on the course soon.  Best of healing...

[Zippo]

Hi @Double Mocha Man. My concern is that my golfing competitors could also be hackers and shut me down temporarily just as I'm in the middle of making the best shot ever! You're not a hacker, are you? 😁

[Greg 504]

@Zippo, hey man, just checking to see how the healing is going? Hope you are feeling well and starting to get the itch to hit some.

[Zippo]

Hi @Greg 504. Thanks for the check in. Had my pacemaker read today and it's apparently doing great. It's pacing my heart 58% of the time, currently, and using much less voltage than anticipated meaning that my battery capacity is up to 14.5 years instead of only 13! LOL. However, it appears I'll be getting a stent within the next couple of weeks so no joy there. It's still going to be another 4 to 6 weeks, they tell me, before I can start swinging the club again. They don't want me yanking the wires loose before all has healed so I'm being very careful. At least I'm still here to complain about it and I won't have any excuses when I do get out again. I do really appreciate hearing from you that there's golf after pacemaker...

Edited July 18, 2020 by Zippo
Removed repetition

[Greg 504]

Glad to hear your doing well as well as the device. Good luck with the stent procedure. Sounds like they'll have you sorted and well on your way to getting back on the course in time!

[Zippo]

Thought I'd come back and give a quick update - my return to golf was delayed by a subsequent surgery but, I'm very glad to say, I'm back playing again. My scores are higher than pre-event but, you know what? I'm just thrilled to be back on the course at all and I know the scores will get back to normal (bad but better) before too long.

[Greg 504]

Great news, Zippo! It has to feel awesome to be back on the course.

[Double Mocha Man]

11 hours ago, Zippo said:

Thought I'd come back and give a quick update - my return to golf was delayed by a subsequent surgery but, I'm very glad to say, I'm back playing again. My scores are higher than pre-event but, you know what? I'm just thrilled to be back on the course at all and I know the scores will get back to normal (bad but better) before too long.

I thought the courses of Whatcom County felt more crowded lately. Welcome back Zippo!

[Zippo]

Well, happy anniversary to me! It was one year ago today that I got that marvel of modern engineering installed (pacemaker) and all (knock on wood) seems to be ticking over as designed. Looks like I'm going to be divoting the fairways, ball marking the greens and darkening this forum's door for a while yet!  🙂

[Zippo]

I'm still kicking. Two years, yesterday, and the thumper keeps pounding away. For any of you others out there who are facing this procedure keep your chin up. It's possible to survive and keep on hitting those balls into various lakes and creeks!

[RayG]

Good Luck-

My Dad had one for almost 15+ years. (Actually, 2, he got an 'upgrade' to a wireless (Xmit, Rcv & charging) model a few years before he passed)

Like you, he was told 'no golf' for at least 6 weeks. And absolutely no Bowling for a couple of months. But what he did do is lots of PT during that time. Both he and the Doctor knew just sitting around not doing anything would be worse. He did his therapy and exercises and by the time he was ready to play, he had no issues. Other than the usual aches and pains of playing for the first time in awhile.