Swing that is easy on the knees

[Sandhills Golfer]

Due to trying different things to improve my swing, I've developed a trail knee problem. Does anyone have any set up suggestions or swing patterns that could help put less strain on the trail knee? I am a senior golfer.

Edited January 2, 2017 by Sandhills Golfe

[Hatchman]

Sorry to hear about the knee.  Not sure by your post what your knee problem is, the set up, or swing may that contribute to its discomfort.  Some may suggest a swing post since you referred to it.  As a senior double knee replacement golfer, I understand your concerns.   Please take care of yourself.  

[Sandhills Golfer]

  On 1/2/2017 at 7:09 PM, Hatchman said:

Sorry to hear about the knee.  Not sure by your post what your knee problem is, the set up, or swing may that contribute to its discomfort.  Some may suggest a swing post since you referred to it.  As a senior double knee replacement golfer, I understand your concerns.   Please take care of yourself.  

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Thanks, Hatchman. I feel the strain in the right knee (righty) on the backswing. Feel well yourself in 2017!

[march11934]

Have you tried flaring your right foot out so you're not torquing on the backswing? Another trip would be try going out in flat bottom shoes that allow a little slip and not so much grip into the turf. Might help take some stress off you knee. 

[RandallT]

Might be relevant here:

 

[Club Rat]

  On 1/2/2017 at 6:44 PM, Sandhills Golfe said:

Does anyone have any set up suggestions

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Try placing you feet slightly closer together. It will allow the weight transfer to the left side more comfortable.

[Hatchman]

  On 1/2/2017 at 7:30 PM, march11934 said:

Have you tried flaring your right foot out so you're not torquing on the backswing? Another trip would be try going out in flat bottom shoes that allow a little slip and not so much grip into the turf. Might help take some stress off you knee. 

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Agree with March.  Mechanics aside, my ortho golfer doctor agrees with @RandallT to flair the feet slightly.  In addition, backswing brace leg heal lift helped.  Other swing technicians will probably discuss that best and possible swaying.  I know that didn't feel good.    Just keep an eye on that knee.  Out.

[Sandhills Golfer]

  On 1/2/2017 at 7:30 PM, march11934 said:

Have you tried flaring your right foot out so you're not torquing on the backswing? Another trip would be try going out in flat bottom shoes that allow a little slip and not so much grip into the turf. Might help take some stress off you knee. 

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Good idea March...on the flat bottom shoes. I was due to replace my soft spikes, now I will just leave them alone. At this point, they are nearly flat and worn,

Edited January 2, 2017 by Sandhills Golfe

[Patch]

I am in the minority here, but I play 99% of my rounds in a good pair of walking shoes. Shoes with no cleats, which allows for a more fee movement of my various golf swing body parts. Some slippage in the feet if you will. 

I do this to take a lot of stress off my lower back, which would also include my hips, knees, and ankles. I have been playing for 42+ years with no golf related injuries. 

I do own a pair of cleated golf shoes, but the only time I wear them is in wet weather. 

I also recommend when making a full swing, to ride up on the rear, big toe, which alleviates alot stress on joints, and muscles above the feet.  

I am of the opinion that the average, amateur golfer is not in enough golf swing shape to have the physical strength to protect themselves against the stress/torque that they put their body through during a full golf swing. They lack the core strength needed for a healthy, safe swing. 

[march11934]

A narrower stance is a good,way of taking stress off your knees, I have tried it. However watch you mid to lower back! A narrow stance will take away the tendency of swaying and producing power with your legs, which helps ease up on your knees, but your going to try to find another way to generate that power. I started finding that I was stressing my mid and lower back by trying to compensate for the loss of strength from my legs and started using too much of my back.  Just speaking from experience. 

[Buckeyebowman]

I'm curious as to which physical movement is causing the discomfort. Particularly, I'm wondering  if the OP is allowing his weight to shift onto the outside of the trail foot, thus flexing the trail knee outward.

I'm right handed and have an ACL reconstructed right knee. When I swing I make sure to not let my weight get to the outside of my right foot. I see far too many guys who get sloppy with their footwork, and wind up swaying all over the place.

[Piz]

There are a few things I do to reduce stress on my three-times surgically "repaired" left knee.  Number one: I no longer wear spikes.  Two: My feet are positioned slightly narrower.  Three: I try to maintain a centered pivot, with no sensation of weight transfer from inception to completion.  Doing those things has helped me to focus on what the club head is doing rather than focus on what I am doing.  The weight still transfers; but not in the violent and "active" manner it once did.  I'm a better ball striker for it.

[Sandhills Golfer]

  On 1/4/2017 at 3:39 AM, Buckeyebowman said:

I'm curious as to which physical movement is causing the discomfort. Particularly, I'm wondering  if the OP is allowing his weight to shift onto the outside of the trail foot, thus flexing the trail knee outward.

I'm right handed and have an ACL reconstructed right knee. When I swing I make sure to not let my weight get to the outside of my right foot. I see far too many guys who get sloppy with their footwork, and wind up swaying all over the place.

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Thanks, for the reply Buckeyebowman. Actually, a sway is a big problem for me. But, I was kind of thinking the opposite though. When I feel locked in and not swaying, the pain gets worse - when there is some sway - there is less pain. I could have it wrong. I have tried to hold the bend in my rear knee ( to avoid a sway) and that was the start of my knee pain. Folks, always try to ease into a new move, when trying to change your swing.

By the way, what led you to the ACL surgery. When did you or your doctor realize there was a problem? I can put weight on the leg. For now, there is just pain.

Edited January 4, 2017 by Sandhills Golfe

[Hatchman]

  On 1/4/2017 at 12:48 PM, Sandhills Golfe said:

Thanks, for the reply Buckeyebowman. Actually, a sway is a big problem for me. But, I was kind of thinking the opposite though. When I feel locked in and not swaying, the pain gets worse - when there is some sway - there is less pain. I could have it wrong. I have tried to hold the bend in my rear knee ( to avoid a sway) and that was the start of my knee pain. Folks, always try to ease into a new move, when trying to change your swing.

By the way, what led you to the ACL surgery. When did you or your doctor realize there was a problem? I can put weight on the leg. For now, there is just pain.

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Get all that check out please.  I went on to lose both the ACL and PCL (empty notch) per the MRI but still kept playing ball with an unstable knee.  Two total knee replacements later, still kicking it.  A sports ortho doctor might be considered.

Edited January 4, 2017 by Hatchman

[Sandhills Golfer]

Thanks

[Bigborgel]

Consider looking  Don Trahan's "Peak performance golf swing" it's a limited turn, legs bowed turn that puts little stain on your back, knees and torso. It's a vertical swing, not a rotary swing.

[No Mulligans]

I also don't wear spikes.  The main reason is I really like the TrueLinkwear shoes for comfort.  But I also feel it's safer on the knees not to have spikes.  My main concern is my forward (left) knee.  The left knee is where most of the rotational torque should be as you get almost all your weight on the left leg through impact and after.

Edited May 31, 2017 by No Mulligans

[Buckeyebowman]

  On 1/4/2017 at 12:48 PM, Sandhills Golfe said:

Thanks, for the reply Buckeyebowman. Actually, a sway is a big problem for me. But, I was kind of thinking the opposite though. When I feel locked in and not swaying, the pain gets worse - when there is some sway - there is less pain. I could have it wrong. I have tried to hold the bend in my rear knee ( to avoid a sway) and that was the start of my knee pain. Folks, always try to ease into a new move, when trying to change your swing.

By the way, what led you to the ACL surgery. When did you or your doctor realize there was a problem? I can put weight on the leg. For now, there is just pain.

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Holding the bend in your rear knee won't necessarily stop a sway. My right leg actually straightens a bit in the backswing. I also stand just a bit taller now with not so much knee bend at address. Just a slight flex.

I knew there was a problem as soon as the opposing football team's player caved my knee in! When you hear your knee go with a sound like snapping a bunch of celery over your thigh, you know your hurt and hurt bad! Plus, the pain was pretty incredible.

This was in the bad old days before the ACL reconstruction technique had been developed. All they could do was drain the knee (what an experience THAT was), wait for the swelling to go down, and then you would rehab the knee with leg extensions trying to tighten the knee back up.

That ended my football career, but the knee gave out on me twice more playing basketball. After the last time the orthopedist said they had a new surgical technique and I needed it! So, I went under the knife. This was also in the bad old days before arthroscopic surgery. I have about an 18" zipper (suture scar) on the inside of my right leg.

The surgery was about 40 years ago and, all in all, the knee is fine. It's probably 80 to 85% of what it was, but it serves. If you're having issues with your knee and can't pinpoint a cause, you should get it checked out. Seems you're trying to deal with symptoms rather than causes. As a senior golfer, these things tend to get worse rather than better.