There is a variety of adaptive golf equipment that can help older golfers who struggle with arthritis, injuries or mobility problems.
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Can you recommend gadgets that can help older golfers? I like to walk the course, but I have back problems that make stooping over to tee up or retrieve the ball difficult. I also have some arthritis in my hands that makes gripping the club painful.
There is a variety of adaptive golf equipment that can help older golfers who struggle with arthritis, injuries or mobility problems. Here is a summary of the types of equipment you can purchase to help with different needs.
Upright Golf Products For golfers with back, hip or knee problems, there are several products on the market that will allow you to tee up the ball (and retrieve the tee) from an upright position without having to bend or stoop over. These stoop-proof devices typically feature long handles and ergonomic designs that allow for use from a standing position. You can find them online, or at your local golf shop or golf course pro shop.
In addition to tee-up tools, many companies also offer accessory products to help with other parts of the game. These include tools for retrieving the ball from the ground or cup, repairing divots, marking the ball on the green or picking up a club, sand rake or flag stick off the ground, all without bending over.
Gripping Solutions Gripping a golf club can be challenging for golfers with arthritis or hand or elbow injuries. To help alleviate this problem, there are specially designed golf gloves and grips that can provide assistance. There are also gloves that include a plastic claw that fits over your thumb and index finger to lock the club to your hand.
Another solution is to get oversized grips installed on your clubs. These can make gripping the club easier and more comfortable, and they are good at absorbing shock. Oversized grips are usually either one-sixteenth-inch or one-eighth-inch larger in diameter than a standard grip and cost around $10, not including the cost of installation. You can find these grips and have them installed at your local golf store or pro shop.
Low-Vision Golf Balls If diminished vision from cataracts or eye problems makes locating the ball difficult, consider using reflective or colored golf balls, which can help make the balls appear larger and brighter.
Age-Friendly Golf Carts For golfers who like to walk the course, there are ergonomically designed golf club carts that are lightweight and easy to maneuver. There are a variety of three and four-wheeled push/pull carts that are highly rated for function and foldability. There are also remote-controlled electric caddies that will transport your clubs around the course as you walk.
There is a specialized electric golf cart available that allows golfers to play from a seated or standing-but-supported position. This cart is lightweight and precisely balanced so it can be driven on tee boxes and greens without causing any damage. Federal ADA laws require that all public golf courses allow them.
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