12 replies to this topic

[golfnut-2X]

Currently grip the club using interlock.  It locks my hands together.  Problem is my arthritis is getting progressively worse.  The pinching on the fingers together now cause pain near the interlock.  Interested in hearing from others with arthritic hands and how they hold the club to minimize any pain.


Tested the overlap which I did when first learned the game.  Felt a lot better but my  hand comes off the club since i am so used to having them locked together.  Tried 10 finger embarrased to say and it felt the best since all fingers are on the grip and none of them are squished together but the problem is i can't get the hands too close to each other because all 10 fingers are on the grip.  I tried a reverse overlap like putting with my left index finger overlapped on right hand - felt comfortable in hands but harder to square the face.

Curious if anyone has figgered this one out already.  Appreciate your thoughts.


Thanks.

[kevn357]

There's a lot more to the grip than interlock, overlap or ten finger. It's the most important part of the swing. Where you are actually holding the club in the hands and fingers is the important detail.  Just realize there are many different ways to hold a club and if it's held wrong, the finger joints will absorb a lot of force near impact if the hands are fighting each other.

[Stuart G.]

Quote

Tried 10 finger embarrased to say and it felt the best since all  fingers are on the grip and none of them are squished together but the  problem is i can't get the hands too close to each other because all 10  fingers are on the grip.

Not sure I understand what the problem really was.  yes, you're hands wont be as close together as you're used to but why was that a problem for you?

I went to 10 finger about 6-7 years ago, largely due to an injury to the trailing hand ring finger but still use it today due to arthritis.  I tried going back to overlap a few times but I always go back to the 10 finger grip.   It can take a lot of adjustment to get used to the different feel of releasing the club but with practice, you should be able to adapt.   With this grip, I actually feel it's easier to release and have found it has allowed me to reduce grip pressure - which in turn also helps to minimize the pain.

Also, this may be obvious but are you using graphite shafts in your irons?

[RobGW]

I have the same issue as you. I went to the ten finger a few years ago. It took quite a while to really get used to it, but it made all the difference in the world on the fingers that formerly were interlocked. One thing I now do that helps it feel more natural is I have an extra wrap under the right hand on my grips Since the hand is a little farther down on the taper of the grip, this brings it back up to where I've always been used to.

[HocusPocus]

Have you tried using thicker grips. Although I may take some adjusting if you are using just standard grips, Midsize or even thicker may allow you to interlock. We have had people with Arthritis come in, get specialist or fatter grips and say it makes a difference. Maybe get the 7 iron done and take it to the range for a while see if its worth doing the set.

[golfnut-2X]

thanks for the advice.  i already play mid size.  debating jumbo since even with midsize my left fingers touch the pad of my hand.

i experiemented with the nuances of the grip quite a bit.  its not from holding it incorrect.  i have arthritis in my hands, elbows, hips, knees, and feet and its getting pregessively worse.

joints get so inflamed after practice and/or playing.

it takes some time to get used to even the smaller grip changes like weakening the grip.  i am going to try the 10 finger more. the overlap feels ok but just can't keep my hands together after getting so used to the interlock grip.

appreciate it.

[MadGolfer76]

You might consider a shaft insert and different rubber grip? Maybe something like a Sensicore kind of deal. Also the VDR grips seem to reduce a little vibration and there are others like Tacki-Mac or Tour Wrap 2g that are tacky, which are somewhat easier to hold. Like others have said, a larger grip, or maybe a few extra wraps under a mid-size might be a good idea. It may take some experimentation to find where the proper placement under the grips should be to get you the relief you need. Forged heads and a softer golf ball (Rxs or Fg-Tour or the like) might help. Apart from all that, it may be helpful to reduce overall weight of the club so your hands aren't required to exert themselves as much?

[golfnut-2X]

good idea about the weight.  I have Dynamic Gold.  Used to like heavy clubs.  Next set I am going to something lighter.  i will test a softer grip.  i have used the old winn wraps in the past and i remember they were soft.  maybe that will help.



thanks.

[MadGolfer76]

golfnut-2X, on 26 April 2012 - 08:21 PM, said:

good idea about the weight.  I have Dynamic Gold.  Used to like heavy clubs.  Next set I am going to something lighter.  i will test a softer grip.  i have used the old winn wraps in the past and i remember they were soft.  maybe that will help.



thanks.

I don't know if it matters, but some of those are quite light. I don't know if a stronger swing weight (as a result) will aggravate your hands or not? By the same token, I wonder what counterbalancing might accomplish...

[Stuart G.]

If you're still using steel, I'd strongly recommend changing to graphite shafts.  From the standpoint of the arthritis, that one change had the most dramatic (positive) impact I've experienced.   In addition to some more immediate relief,  I think it actually provides the biggest help in more a longer term sense in reducing 'wear + tear' on the joints.  The sensi-core inserts are ok but don't really come close to the graphite so I wouldn't bother with them if the arthritis is as advanced as you seem to indicate.

If you prefer heavier clubs, you can get some good quality heavier graphite shafts,  e.g. I'm using the aldila vs-proto 100 gram shafts.

[golfnut-2X]

i know i want to go lighter on the shafts but haven't looked at graphite yet, but will now look at them.  tx

[retexan599]

What I do to ameliorate arthritis in my hands:

• wear gloves on both hands
• reverse overlap grip, not interlocked
• graphite shafts
• Winn Excel Soft Black Oversize (+1/8") grip material
• no full swing practice shots before the round; only chips and putts
• ibuprofen and tylenol about hole # 6
• allow 1-2 days between rounds to let the hands calm down

With all of that I can get through 18 holes with minimal discomfort and have fun.  Worked at the range to tailor the swing to those factors; it may not be 'by the book', but made it work for me.

[golfnut-2X]

thanks for the advice.  sorry to hear you also have pain.

i found tylenol not effective but when i told my rueomotologist (sp?) this week i am now up to 6 ibuprofen before playing and 3-4 during the round he stopped that quickly.  it helped reduce the pain durng the round but did nothing for the pain and swelling that follows for days after.  i am now starting a strong anti inflamatory which i had my doubts.  it doesn't help with the pain but it greatly reduces the swelling and inflamation during and after the round.

funny you mentioned the reverse overlap.  i tried that last night on the launch monitor.  it feels great but i just can't square the face for some reason.  i am going to keep trying the reverse and 10 finger grip to see if i can get used to either one.

i need to try a glove on my right hand.  i have tried the rain gloves that play better wet but i just couldn't get used to a glove on the right hand.  felt bulky.