Calling all golfers !

[ctyguy]

Looking for feedback from other golfers regarding how long after their procedures they started to swing a club. My cardiologist says I have to wait 3 months (for the sternum to heal). My league starts in 4 weeks which would put me 8 weeks post op. Just looking to hear from others how long they went before getting back to that little addiction.

 

[Phyllis]

Dick followed the surgeon's advice and waited 3 months for both golf and tennis.

 

[geebee]

Wait the 3 months - sorry. The twisting and force from swinging a club is not something you want to do before things are TOTALLY healed inside and out.

 

[Cooker]

I posted to you in the other thread that I played my first 18 at 8 weeks......I would not suggest doing that....it was too soon.....Not only could I not give it 100% (as we golfers love to do) but I was worried about pulling something and it took the fun out of it.....All that said you are going to do what you are going to do so let your body be your guide....My wife and my cardio had *&$% fits when the found out what I did......lets just say I did not need to buy fertilizer for a year

 

[ctyguy]

the first week of the league is a kinda throw away week anyway. Its a two man scramble, fun but doesn't count towards the league standings. I was actually planning on skipping that and my hope was to be 9 weeks post op when I played. Also its a 9 hole league so only half the work. But based on what Im reading so far the consensus is to wait the full 3 months

 

[Cooker]

the first week of the league is a kinda throw away week anyway. Its a two man scramble, fun but doesn't count towards the league standings. I was actually planning on skipping that and my hope was to be 9 weeks post op when I played. Also its a 9 hole league so only half the work. But based on what Im reading so far the consensus is to wait the full 3 months

I have played in a lot of leagues......sounds like a perfect op to sandbag

 

[njean]

Looking for feedback from other golfers regarding how long after their procedures they started to swing a club. My cardiologist says I have to wait 3 months (for the sternum to heal). My league starts in 4 weeks which would put me 8 weeks post op. Just looking to hear from others how long they went before getting back to that little addiction.

Being that I have been an avid "archer" for the past 15 years or so, after my 3rd OHS in 2006, I couldn't wait to start shooting again. But my cardio was totally against it & I didn't do my first tournament until after a year & I was only pulling back 38 lbs on my bow. And, actually I didn't do too bad; came in 2nd in my catagory. You can check it out at: www.zianet.com/archeryhut. I'm the one in the red!

So, if I were you, I'd definitely wait until at least 3 months before you start your game again & then don't push yourself! If you can't finish, it's not the end of the world; they'll be other tournaments! Best of luck!

 

[Bonzo Dog]

But based on what Im reading so far the consensus is to wait the full 3 months

Just a thought. Who sets the rules? Would an appeal to The Committee as an OHS survivor be in order? Scores awarded for the first 4 weeks based on your last seasons performance, that sort of thing.

 

[mmarshall]

you may want to wait even though you may feel that you can do it. the only thing i would work on at 8 weeks out is your short game. at 12 weeks i would go to a driving range and start with a small bucket...work your way up. you are going to be a little sore the first few times you get back out there with full swings. the last thing you want to do is hit it fat when you are 8 weeks out.

 

[WayneGM]

Just echoing what's already been said. Give your body time to heal properly. It's a small price to pay in the long run.

 

[ctyguy]

darn ! OK...I will wait the 3 months.

 

[Perrster]

Welcome Back to Golf!

Welcome Back to Golf!

Although it was 8 years ago, I think I was 3 months post-op to get back into the "swing" however, it was a scramble/client outing and I didn't feel too bad riding around in a cart. (The free beer during the round proved to be more of a problem as I had more than I should have and paid for it with red pee the next day.) Two lessons learned: 1. cut alcohol substantially. 2. play more golf. I'm now in an 18 hole league (5th year) plus have a permanent tee time at a second course. Take the opportunity of your forced time away to practice putting! Good luck. Fore!!

 

[CHDDoug]

I've actually been wondering the same thing. I'm 6 weeks out right now and itching to go swing soon. I figure I'll go chip and putt after 8 weeks, and then wait until 3 months before I hit any balls. The thought of catching one fat at 8 weeks makes me cringe!

 

[ctyguy]

Im 4 weeks today and still have some discomfort, nothing worth taking pain killers over however. I thought I could start chipping and putting now to be honest and hopefully if my recovery stays on course I could start hitting balls at 8 weeks. I know Im not going to be able to swing for the fences even at 3 months, I suspect it will be 4 or 5 before Im REALLY back at it. I will see where Im at when week 9 or 10 rolls around but I think Im resigned to the fact that its going to be 12 weeks before I can really swing a club.

 

[Philip B]

Golf

Golf

My doctors (surgeon and cardiologist) recommended a twelve week wait, but I didn't wait that long. I actually thought about playing at four to six weeks. A friend convinced me to wait with a comment about me possibly blowing the wires in my sternum.

I ended up playing my first round of eighteen holes and hit a lot of balls on the driving range starting at eight weeks. This violation of instructions was reported to my cardiologist. He simply smiled and replied that he though I was going to be okay.

Others will undoubtedly disagree with me and probably feel I'm setting a poor example as well as offering poor advice, but I recommend that you assess how you feel and base your return to playing on that. My chest had healed up pretty well at eight weeks. Had I noticed problems when hitting balls on the driving range, I would've stopped. Both my surgeon and cardiac rehab nurse recommended that I start doing some light golf club swinging (without hitting balls) at around four weeks.

You may find that you're okay at eight weeks, but you may realize that twelve weeks is too soon. It really depends upon the healing process. This process varies from individual to individual. All this said, it doesn't hurt to be conservative and simply follow your doctor's guidelines either.

-Philip

 

[robert62]

had my surgery january 10th. the surgeon told me that i could chip and putt after seven weeks but no real golf for five (5) months. i was an extremely fast healer having gone to work one day after getting out of hospital. felt great from day one and finished my cardiac rehab in six weeks. best advice to give is to ask your surgeon!!!! bob in grb