Golf on a bad knee...

[99s]

...I started golfing ~3 years ago following a year+ of rehab on my right knee (I'm right-handed). At that time I could tolerate 9 holes riding if I wore a big honkin' knee brace. Last year I had more problems and stopped golfing, this year I'm doing much better and 9 holes riding with the brace is tolerable.

I had a torn ACL for ~20 years, consequently I've worn through the cartilage on the right knee. I had the ACL replaced & a process called microfracture to generate "pseudo-cartilage" for a a few years, to put off knee replacement for a while.

My ball flight tends to be most often right, occasionally left, sometimes high and often low, and once in a while straight and long. I slice a driver wickedly, so I keep it in the basement, and I'm giving thought to parking my 3 wood also because I can get 200yds+ with a 3 hybrid every once in a while with less of a tendency to slice. I either make decent contact or hit waay fat. I rarely see much of a divot in front of the ball.

I keep my lower body pretty still while swinging, and keep both feet planted. Lots of hip movement and follow-through that lifts my back foot gives me a sharp pain in the knee and 2 days of a slight limp, so I try to avoid that.

My question (still here?): Is there a swing technique for a gimp like me? I once saw a Youtube of a handicapped guy on a stool hitting the balls over 200 yds and straight.

I'd happily settle for a swing that would get me 180-200 yds down the middle or thereabouts consistently, and focus on my short game.

thanks,

99s

[shortstop20]

I think a swing where you keep your weight a little more on your left side and keep the right foot down past impact would serve you well. You may have to cut your follow through short to keep that right foot down, but if it keeps the pain away, why not?

Look at Kenny Perry's right foot action here.

[tws1098]

At this point do you ahve pain when you swing? You may want to look into wearing more of a cross training shoe than golf cleats. It should relieve a little pressure on the knee. As far as the swing goes, I agree with keeping more weight on the left side during the swing while maintaining a nice slow and smooth tempo. If you are trying to will the ball 200 yards and straight it probabaly won't happen. I have my best drives on what feels like a slow swing where someone is pulling on the end of my driver (keeping your arms straighter). Good luck, and I understand playing with pain, but hey...it's worth it.

[99s]

  tws1098 said:

At this point do you have pain when you swing? You may want to look into wearing more of a cross training shoe than golf cleats.

I don't really sense pain

during a swing ever since I started keeping my feet pretty still. If I really try to rip it I get a stab of pain right at the end. I honestly think I have more discomfort after ~7 holes or so from chasing up and down ravines and stumbling over tree roots because of the way I spray the ball around. I've always worn running shoes on the course, because I figured a bit of slip every now and then was better for my knee than being anchored with the knee under any torque. I'm going to look for someone to help me with my swing, I just wanted to know if there was "standard" swing modification for guys with bad knees, and search for someone familiar with it. 99s

[James_Black]

I don't think golf is a good game for you to play.

honestly if it hurts to make a swing then why do more damage to your knee?

[99s]

  James_Black said:

I don't think golf is a good game for you to play.

That's a reasonable question.

In short, quality of life. After my last knee op (to buy time before a knee replacement) I told my doc that based on my internet research it seemed like my best shot at prolonging the service life of the 'pseudo-cartilage' layer would be to lay on the couch all day eating glucosamine-chondroitin caplets. He agreed, and said it was all a matter of quality of life. I don't run a step unless I absolutely have to. I don't jump ever. That'd blast through the thin layer in a week or two. So softball & hoops are out. If I ride my motorcycle more than a few hours I'm mighty stiff when I get off and might ache a bit the following day. Same deal with walking a few miles while sightseeing on vacation, or hauling all my music gear out for gig. If I stay on top of my leg exercises, and watch how hard I swing, I can get away with 9 holes a few times a week. And if I overdo it the couch & cable TV are always there waiting... 99s

[Donovanmc]

HI I had a bad knee ...I had a doc lookat it and said just build it up it will be fine.. 50 prototypes later and I have the perfect knee brace for golf .. I will build you one for a nominal price it will be customized . I paly much better when I don't have pain when I swing during or after words.  Only Golf junkies would know why I went to such an extente to keep playing ..

Mike Donovan