Done with surgery, looking to the future & new clubs.

[cnl390]

Had my rotator cuff surgery 12/18 and can't wait to play again. But that's 6 months from now.  So what better excuse to sell my G25's and buy a new set when i am fully healed.

I am thinking of super game improvement irons like the Ping GMax.  My question is should i stay with regular flex, or go with senior?  I will be 62 by the time i can play again and am a 33 handicap.

Thanks for the help.

[DaveP043]

My advice, keep your old clubs for now, and use them as you're getting back into playing shape.  Once you can swing again, then go get fitted and figure out what's best for you.  

And congratulations on returning to golf.  I missed one complete summer recovering from a broken wrist, so I can understand how much you're missing it now.

[vangator]

This has a chart that in general answers your question.

http://www.customgolfstop.com/CustomFitting.htm

I'll be 59 in a couple of months and use stiff shafts.  Regular shafts could work for most swings, but if I need to get a little more into the shot, regular shafts always go right on me.

I build my own clubs, so I can get a few different shafts and try them out.  Steel iron shafts are easy.  There are a few different parameters, but nothing like graphite shafts.  I don't like graphite for irons because there is just too much torque compared to steel.  Good graphite shafts are typically pretty pricey.  But, if you don't have a fast swing speed and don't have a quick transition at the top, graphite could work for you.  You'll notice that the pros use steel in their irons.  Not sure what the senior tour players use.  Don't watch them.

Whatever you decide, demo the clubs.  You may be able to get a demo club (or set) to try out on the course.  That's where you'll find out what works for you.

[Club Rat]

57 minutes ago, cnl390 said:

Had my rotator cuff surgery

Hopefully it was your "Left" shoulder, you did not state which. Issues on recovery with the right take a longer time for a golfer. After six months, usually the doc advises a patient of various activities and precautions. Definitely discuss with your doc that you intend to play golf. The golf swing involves a range of motions by shoulders that vary by all individuals. Given your age, it's less likely that your swing is similar to younger players. Most likely the doc will have you in a therapy, also discuss with the therapist that you intend to play golf.

Clubs? When the doc releases you to activities, you should consider lighter swing weights, senior shafts, and a player improvement club heads in the selection of irons. Also, you should most likely consider hybrids and fairway woods. I mention these suggestions because they require less effort, swing speed to get the ball airborne and easier to control direction.

Good luck, recovery takes time, recovery for older guys take longer.

[cnl390]

Unfortunately it is my right shoulder.  I am having a heck of a time being a lefty.

[Club Rat]

Rotator Cuff Injuries and the Golfer

by Deborah L. Mullen, CSCS

http://www.simplefitnesssolutions.com/articles/rotator_cuff_injury_golf.htm

Quote

 

The rotator cuff muscles are crucial to the golf swing, yet many golfers are unaware of their function and therefore neglect their conditioning. Find out what the rotator cuff actually is, it’s role in golf, common injuries and how to prevent them.

What is the "rotator cuff" and why is it so important?
The shoulder is the most flexible, as well as the least stable, joint in the body (great range of motion comes at a price). Unlike the hip joint with its ball-and-socket design, the shoulder socket is a shallow saucer. While this allows for flexibility, the saucer doesn’t hold the ball of the joint as firmly as the hip socket. In addition, the shoulder joint’s ligaments are relatively weak. This means that stability must come from muscles and tendons that run across the joint. These 4 muscles are collectively called "the rotator cuff."

What role does the rotator cuff play in golf?
Along with stabilizing the head of the upper arm bone into its socket, the rotator cuff has other functions crucial to the golf swing. It was once thought that the deltoid muscles (thick muscles that cover the shoulder) were the primarily responsible for the power behind the golf swing. From research that measures muscle activity during the swing, we now know that the rotator cuff muscles are a major force, while the deltoids are relatively inactive. By stabilizing the shoulder girdle as well as turning the shoulder and arms, the rotator cuff provides power and control in the golf swing.

What are common rotator cuff injuries for golfers?
The drive is a high-effort power movement that puts a lot of stress on the rotator cuff. Add this to the fact that it’s generally weak and tight from negligence, and it’s no wonder that many golfers are sidelined with rotator cuff-related injuries. The most common is tendinitis, where one or more of the rotator cuff tendons become inflamed and painful. Another common affliction is bursitis. If the bursa (a fluid-filled sac that overlies the rotator cuff tendons) is irritated, it can become inflamed and cause pain. Since the tendons and bursa are close together, many times both problems coexist. Impingement can occur when the arm is repeatedly raised above the head in the golf swing, causing the rotator cuff tendons to rub, inflame and even tear.

According to Frank Jobe, MD, of the Centinela Hospital Medical Center, "It is of interest to note that all of the right-handed golfers seen by this office for shoulder problems have had left shoulder rotator cuff problems. Also, all of these golfers have a strong pull-through on the left. It is possible that as this group has attempted to equalize the roles played by the right and left arms, they may have overdone the role of the left. Thus, microtrauma and instability ensued…The significance of this is that a right-handed golfer must strengthen the rotator cuff muscles on the left as a preventive measure."

What can I do to prevent a rotator cuff injury?
Since unconditioned muscles are weak and inflexible causing them to be more susceptible to injury, performing simple exercises and stretches for the rotator cuff muscles will reduce the likelihood of injury by maintaining the strength and flexibility of these muscles. (A bonus is increased power in the swing!) Here are 3 stretches and 1 exercise for the rotator cuff:

For the stretches, go slowly and gently to the point of mild tension. Hold each stretch for 15 –30 seconds. No bouncing! Perform a stretch for the same length of time on each arm. Stretch after playing golf as well as before. To warm up the rotator cuff before play, perform 20 slow arm circles before stretching.

Back Cuff Stretch – Place right hand on left shoulder and left hand on right elbow. Gently pull back right arm. Repeat on left.

Underside Cuff Stretch – Place right hand behind your head and left hand on right elbow. Gently push arm toward your back. Repeat on left.

Front Cuff Stretch – Hold hands behind your back and slowly raise your arms. Stand tall—don’t lean forward.

There are 3 common exercises performed for the rotator cuff. Two, which many people know about, are for internal and external rotators. The following is not as well known and can be done without any equipment.

Rotator Cuff Exercise – Warm up with 20 slow arm circles. In each hand, hold a small dumbbell or soup can. With thumb pointing down, raise arms out to the side and slightly forward, like pouring water out of a can. Don’t raise hand past shoulder level. Repeat 10 times if no discomfort (if you experience discomfort, perform with the thumb up.)  Check with your doctor before doing this exercise if you already have shoulder problems or have another medical condition.

 

4 hours ago, cnl390 said:

Unfortunately it is my right shoulder.

You'll be fine, as a lefty. The right arm/shoulder provides the power which you will rehabilitate and strengthen. If it were your left side, then it's subjective or prone to re-injury more easily and requires a longer healing time period. The doc will prescribe proper care to get you back out playing. Just Don't rush it... 

 

[vangator]

I think he meant he was a righty and having a hard time doing stuff with his left arm until it heals.  That was my take.

I had 2 rotator cuff problems with my left arm.  No surgery.  Just 7-9 months of no golf.  My doctor is a golfer, so he understood my desire to get back on the course.  It took several more months for the pain to go away.  Every time I made a full swing, it tended to go right.  I've lost a little distance since then.

[cnl390]

23 hours ago, vangator said:

I think he meant he was a righty and having a hard time doing stuff with his left arm until it heals.  That was my take.

I had 2 rotator cuff problems with my left arm.  No surgery.  Just 7-9 months of no golf.  My doctor is a golfer, so he understood my desire to get back on the course.  It took several more months for the pain to go away.  Every time I made a full swing, it tended to go right.  I've lost a little distance since then.

Correct, i am righty.  And adjusting to doing everything with my left is not an easy task.  After only 2 weeks there are times that i ask myself was this really worth it.  i know in the long run it will be, but so far it looks like getting there is not going to be fun. 

The worst part is today is the third day in a row my brother in laws are playing, and they will probably play twice more before they leave on Sunday.  So it's just me and the wives.

 

 

[vangator]

22 hours ago, cnl390 said:

Correct, i am righty.  And adjusting to doing everything with my left is not an easy task.  After only 2 weeks there are times that i ask myself was this really worth it.  i know in the long run it will be, but so far it looks like getting there is not going to be fun. 

The worst part is today is the third day in a row my brother in laws are playing, and they will probably play twice more before they leave on Sunday.  So it's just me and the wives.

Well, that could be fun...

[DrvFrShow]

Take it slow and condition those muscles. I hurt my shoulders last season and was out for a few months. If you had surgery on 12/18, the worst thing you can do is start playing too soon. Rehab will take months. You've probably started physical therapy already, so follow those instructions to the letter. Once you clear PT do not neglect conditioning those muscles. 

I'm a 63 woman. I play with Cobra BioCell irons with regular graphite shafts. I like the graphite shaft over steel due to the weight and feel. They don't seem to transmit shock as much as steel shafts. I'd wait until you're fully healed before I even think about new clubs. I was able to hit my old clubs just fine. You may be able to do that too, but if you need more help with a SGI club by all means look around. There are a lot of good ones out there. Ping Gmax, Mizuno JPX EZ, Cobra Max, Callaway XR.