Golfers with PMs

Hi Everyone, Just joined the club, had my pm fitted 2 weeks ago 4th Dec 2015 . Not really feeling any benefit as yet , I suppose it takes time and a few return hospital visits for tweeking etc.
As a keen golfer i'm a bit concerned I wont be able to play to my previous standard. Would love to hear from other golfers and how it affects their game.

5 Comments

Look around the forum

by Theknotguy - 2015-12-22 02:12:27

Use the search button on the upper right side of the forum. We've had quite a few comments about people playing golf.

Mostly it's working on your putting game until the implant scar heals over. Then it's light swings until the scar tissue gets stretched out. Most people don't take full swings until everything has really healed. I'm guessing that's about the six month time frame. Only you can tell based upon how you feel. I'm sure the dedicated golfers will chime in and let you know if I'm wrong.

One thing you will need to do is to hydrate more while you're on the course. The PM speeds up your heart, so you need more fluids to keep hydrated. My tip off is a headache. For a while I was drinking 1/2liter of water per 33 pounds of body weight per day. You may need to increase that a little more while on the course.

Most people forget to request the pacemaker with the golf improvement software so your game probably won't get any better. I think enough people have pacemakers who play golf so you won't be able to claim a pacemaker handicap either. You can whine and cry but I think it may only get you one or two drinks at the club. And don't go into the sore shoulder routine - I won't buy that.

Hope everything else goes well for you.

no problem

by Tracey_E - 2015-12-22 02:12:31

Once you heal, it should have no effect on your game. It will likely settle in as you heal and the swelling goes down so if it feels conspicuous now, it should get better in the next weeks and months.

I live in an area full of avid golfers, so my surgeon has golf included in his instructions. Chips, pitch, and putts are ok as soon as you feel up to it but wait 3 months for a full swing.

How quickly you feel better depends on why you needed it. Some feel better right away, some it takes time, some are safer but don't necessarily feel better.

Going down !

by IAN MC - 2015-12-22 05:12:10

6 months till a full swing , no golfer could wait that long !
3 months till a full swing , too conservative !

That is American advice . American golfers are not as tough as we are in the UK which is why they always lose the Ryder cup ; )

I found that I was fine with a full swing after 8 weeks which is what my UK cardiologist ( a very keen golfer ) recommended.

A PM will not affect the standard of your golf. I was a rubbish golfer before the PM and am still rubbish ; absolutely no change !!

As for liquid intake; do that in the clubhouse after your round.

Best of luck and welcome to the club, Geoff

Ian

Patch

by IAN MC - 2015-12-22 06:12:45

Glad that you are still with us . I believe that you have been under the knife recently. I hope all went well

Ian

Fore!

by gleesue - 2015-12-22 07:12:32

I was playing in just under 6 weeks. I played 18 holes the first day in a scramble , then 9 the next in my regular golf league. Two weeks later I went down to Florida for 4 days of golf, 18 a day.

Actually I played pretty well. I think having the PM slowed down my swing and helped my game. I had little pain. At first I could feel my PM move and it bothered me a bit. Don't notice it anymore and no problem with a full swing.

Just try an easy swing at home. When it feels good, go play.

Here in Ohio, even though it is warmer than usual, it's a little cold to play. And I don't like to play with cold balls!

Jerry

You know you're wired when...

Born to be Wired is your theme song.

Member Quotes

I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.