Golf and Pacemakers

[Zippo 67]

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 20]

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 67]

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 19]

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 67]

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 19]

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

[Double Mocha Man 602]

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 67]

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 20]

@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 67]

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 by Zippo
Removed repetition

[Greg 504 20]

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!