Resume playing golf

How long after the pacemaker implant is it safe to play golf?

8 Comments

wait till DR gives OK

by jimsactive - 2014-12-26 01:12:24

I asked my Dr. and was allowed to play 8 weeks after PM implanted. It depends on your own physical level and how well you heal.

I hit some balls first and did not take full swing. Key is to build back up to where you were before PM.

I agree

by IAN MC - 2014-12-26 02:12:20

8 weeks is about right for a full swing. Before that it is OK to chip and pitch and practice your putting.

I went out on the course at 6 weeks (because you can do most other activities which involve raising the arm above shoulder level at 6 weeks) but I "listened to my body " and it said " give it another couple of weeks "

I still can't putt but that is nothing to do with the pacemaker !

Cheers

Ian

golf

by Tracey_E - 2014-12-26 08:12:16

I live between PGA and LPGA headquarters with the largest golf course per capita in the country so my EP has a special instruction sheet for golfers. He said putt, chip, pitching are fine when you feel up to it, wait 3 months for a full swing.

Not sure

by Theknotguy - 2014-12-26 12:12:12

We just recently had a posting asking the same question. You can use the search button on the upper right corner of this forum to see if you can find the posting. I'll repost my message. One person said he was told at least six months by his doctor. Main problem is possible damage to the leads. My previous posting follows:

The main thing they want is for the wound to heal and the body to incorporate (grow around) the leads. Until the wound has healed and your body has incorporated the leads you have to take it easy. Don't try to cheat, it won't work.

I'm left handed, so my PM is on the same side as the arm I use the most. I won't address your golf swing because I'm the complete opposite of you. We have others who are weight lifters on the forum and I'll let them chime in on that.

You'll want to keep moving. Walking the course with your golf buddies for the 4-6 weeks would be a good exercise as you've (hopefully walking and not riding) been doing that up to now. It would be a good time to practice putting. Maybe your firends drive one extra ball to the green and you putt out? Make sure you keep hydrated while on the course. Water is the best. Probably 9 holes at first. Retire to the club, have water with lemon, then do the next 9. To keep within your weight limit, only carry your putter. You'll pee a lot but it's better than passing out.

The main thing is for the body to incorporate (grow around) the leads. That takes time and you have to let the body do its work. If you do something you aren't supposed to, pulling the leads hurts like hell and you'll stop doing it. (Found that out the hard way - pulling leads that is.)

At cardio rehab they only let me do 1 to 3 pounds at first. Due to trauma, I didn't start cardio rehab until after 8 weeks so I'll let others chime in on how early to start. Exercises were very light with concentration on keeping the arm moving without stretching it too far. There was more emphasis on doing reps completely, not cheating, and going for a good workout without going to exhaustion. We only did three days a week with a rest day in between and weekends off. Once again, point being to keep moving without pulling the leads. Until your body adjusts, do a set of reps and then quit. You can go a maximum of about 1 to 1.5 hours at first - remember I was at 8 weeks. You may feel like doing more but don't. You should be able to feel the difference between doing a mild workout and pushing it. Now is not the time to push it.

Try not to raise your arm on the PM side - elbow doesn't go above the shoulder. Don't lift 10 pounds or over with the arm on the PM side. Don't worry, you'll forget. Just don't make it a habit. If you start to feel pain, stop.

If you pull the leads (and you probably will) they'll hurt like hell. Then you'll spend the next 6-8 weeks doing mild exercise while the body heals. Very frustrating, but necessary. They'll serve as a constant reminder of not paying attention and pushing too hard.

After the leads have been incorporated you'll probably be able to go back to almost 100% of what you did before. My PM is on the same side as my throwing arm. At one year I can throw the ball for the dog as hard as I want with no problems. But I wouldn't attempt pitching in a baseball game. The leads just wouldn't take that stress.

After a year, did 4.5 miles with the dogs, moved 2300 pounds of wood at the shop, and can do about six hours on my feet at the woodshop. So I'm very close to the 100% I was before getting the PM. Hope you can make it too.

PLaying golf after my implany.

by JohnM - 2014-12-27 07:12:15

Thankyou to everyone who kindly offered their advice on when to resume playing golf after a pacemaker implant. I live in England where at this time of year it isn't often golfing weather, so I won't be going out twice a week as I used to. When I do, I shall just take some short irons and a putter for a few weeks so I can ease into it gradually.

Playing golf after implant

by cwalsh - 2014-12-28 07:12:53

I had my pacemaker operation 2nd October this year, at my last pacemaker check I asked could I go back golfing and was told under no circumstances, like some of the comments above they are afraid of the wires coming out. My next check is end of February so I'm hoping to get the go ahead then.

Go play soon

by Woodworker - 2014-12-29 07:12:59

I waited about 8 weeks then played with no issues. My Doctor actually said he did not think I needed to wait that long. There is just a lot of extra precaution around the lead entrance sites and don't want to disturb to much. Your not going to pull your leads out.

I agree with you Woodworker

by IAN MC - 2014-12-29 12:12:26

I cannot believe that you are at any risk of disturbing leads at 8 weeks ; scar tissue will have formed really strongly by then . I don't buy into the advice which is often given on here " Ask you doctor " as though doctors know something which we don't about recovery times after PM implants.

A major motivation of many doctors is to cover their arses in case of litigation ( especially in the US ) . Listen to your body and if you feel that you can swing freely after 8 weeks ; just do it ! I promise you, nothing horrible will happen !!

Best of luck

Ian

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.