Help with arthritis

[caniac6]

I am having some problems with arthritis at the base of my thumbs. I play a lot,and have always used cast irons(Ping) with stiff steel shafts. I am trying to think of anything to dampen the vibration in my hands. I am considering graphite shafts, forged clubs, sensicore inserts in my shafts. If anyone else has faced similiar problems, I would apreciate your advice. Thanks.

[BrewsnBogies]

I have joint problems, with arthritis in the middle joints of my hands.  I use to play Ping G5s with AWT steel shafts and cushin inserts.  I have to say I never felt much compensation/relief from the inserts (they didn't feel much different from clubs without inserts).  I also have played clubs with Graphite shafts, which help a little.  Unfortunately I just don;t hit graphite shafts that well.  I just concentrate on lowering grip pressure and swing easier to reduce stress at impact.

[WUTiger]

At the club-fitting and repair school I went to in February, the instructors spent a session describing technical help available for people with arthritis and other injuries/ailments.

Take a look at graphite shafts - stiff flex - for irons: Grafalloy ProLaunch weighs in the 80 gram range (about $25 each)... Graphite Design has a G-Flex model weighing 80 grams (about $15 each). ... XCaliber Iron weight 85 grams (about $18 each). Find a Golfsmith or GolfWorks (via Golf Galaxy) components catalog if you want to review all the offerings.

Sensicore inserts are used with steel shafts; only drawback is that the inserts attract moisture, and can lead to internal rusting in high humidity regions. Also, cold-weather golfers with Sensicore shafts can have rust problems: if they play frequently in near freezing weather and then bring their golf bag into their warm house, the cold metal sweats in the heat, causing trapped internal moisture.

Also, golf manufacturers have a wide range of grips in soft, medium and hard. Try some of the softer grips such as WINN Dri-Tac - a guy in his late 20s introduced me to them, saying he can practice more without his hands getting sore.

[mlf16507]

You can use your shaft and do the following to dampen vibration  Take off your old grips.   Go to NAPA and find a Gates fuel line that will fit down to the tip in your shaft.  Cut into 2" piece and ram down to end of shaft I use a steel rod  I bought at Ace hardware. Next take a 4-6 inch piece of  1/4" sonofoam(also from Ace) and tap down until it reaches fuel line.  Next step is Strawsicore( Take 2 fast food straws and stick one in to other about  about 2"-crimp one for easy insertion. Then take 1/8" foam winsow insulation with stick'em back.(also from Ace) and spiral wind the straws,( This a a poor man's Sensicore) and insert as far down in shaft it will go http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30028716/true-temper-sensicore-inserts-8-pack ,--If you like to spend money you can buy the original, but I thinks Strawsicore works better,  Then take 5/8" sonofoam until it reaches butt of shaft.

I use Energy grips, but they went out of business(Great grip but was priced too high)  Hireko has a Karma  Air cell grip that works also- http://www.hirekogolf.com/hireko/orderportal/catalog_presentation/by_group/0/1191/0/0/0/0/0 or the Lamkin N-Dur 3 Gen or Sting Free will also work.  I did this to irons I have using for 4 years and no moisture problems so shaft breaks.

[Fozcycle]

I also have arthritis...mainly in my fingers. To combat it, as I play golf every week of the year (live in FL), I have done the following:

Switched to graphite shafts as they will absorb more shock than steel shafts. Currently, I am swinging the Mizuno MP-53's with Project X 4.5 graphite shafts. Very sweet and buttery.

Change gloves to the Bionic glove...the leather is a tad thicker and they have extra "pads" strategically located so you don't have to squeeze the club as tight. they cost more, but they last more than twice as long.

These two changes have helped to ensure that I can play almost every week.

Go Play!

[caniac6]

Thanks for the advice.