Playing golf with C.O.P.D.

[trevor]

COPD is an umbrella term for various lung diseases which makes breathing and therefore doing things quite difficult. This year I have been diagnosed and it’s steadily getting worse, I had to leave work and retire about 4 months ago as I simply didn’t have enough breath to do my job as a mechanic. Up until now I’ve been managing to play golf 2 or 3 times a week, huffing and puffing my way round and probably getting a bit slower but nobody has said anything yet. That was until today, took the dog for a short walk and thought no way can I play golf today so sat in my chair feeling miserable.
Are there any others on here that manage to carry on playing and how do you cope? Getting a buggy is one answer but that rules out winter golf and the people at the pulmonary classes say keeping fit is very important. In the back of my mind I’m thinking indoor bowls, snooker or darts is going to be the way to go.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Do you have an electric trolley? Not pushing may help.

Does your course lend itself to playing 9 holes? Could you carry on playing but cut down to 9 holes only?

Sorry I don't have more helpful suggestions. Good luck with your health.

 

[casuk]

Think a buggy is the way to go, maybe say to your club and they might make an exception under your circumstances

 

[Sats]

Doctors note and buggy/electric trolley it up. Are you on a nebuliser or oxygen?

 

[rulefan]

Have you thought about croquet? I'm serious. Strategically challenging and very skilful.

 

[trevor]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have an electric trolley and my course is about the flattest in the area. I was talking to a senior with dodgy leg a while back about buggies in the winter and he just said they’re not allowed and winter golf was a no no for him. My oxygen levels are ok for someone with my condition, it’s just the airways that are blocked which leaves you breathless, most of the time up until now I’ve been ok as waiting for 3 people to take their shot allows me to recover enough to carry on but unfortunately things seem to be steadily getting worse.
I suppose the intention of the post was to see if anyone else played like this and how long they had been managing it.
Will look into croquet, I suspect where I live though indoor bowls will all that’s available.
As for playing 9 holes, it’s a possibility but I love the comps and watching my h/c go up and down but then 9 is better than none at all.

 

[rulefan]

As for playing 9 holes, it’s a possibility but I love the comps and watching my h/c go up and down but then 9 is better than none at all.

Does you club run many/any 9 hole comps? If not, try giving the a push. Many more seniors are taking them up now, have a word with them if there is a seniors section.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think keeping active is going to be important so if you can find something to do over the winter if a trolley or buggy ban rules out golf then it has to help. I'd keep asking your specialists for more advice/help and see what they suggest. Sorry to hear the condition is getting in the way of your golf and hope you can find a solution

 

[Tashyboy]

nine holes is deffo the way forward, as you say some form of activity especially through the winter months is a must. Last thing you want is finish work and sat on your backside banging weight on. look at taking up walking, steady exercise plus will help with golf. worked underground for 10 years and even now, especially in the winter months i wake up and leave half my lungs in the sink in a morning. come what may, get out of the house.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Sure this is what my mum said she has, and on any walking slopes she struggles to breath, was the reason why I bought her an electrical trolley, which helped alot. All due to her smoking for many years iirc.

I assume you have tried a number of different inhalers and have the big attachment for it ?, that supposedly helps with getting it into your airways? some 'things in the inhalers' work better than others and iirc are on a person by person success. Something to consider if you have not been back to the doctors. I know mum has tried a number of different 'chemicals' in the inhalers. Think she takes now one a time before doing exercise and another whilst doing it, if breathing is a problem.

For mum, the more exercise she can manage, normal walking as well, the better and helps to keep things working, so she plays golf and walks.

Would have thought weight would make it a lot worse, as the body has more to cope with ?

Play slowly and take it easy, my mum can not do a round under about 4 hours now due to it. Sometimes we do push her more, just to get her body fully working, but she struggles to breath, so have to slow down, don't want to kill her off

Best of luck.

 

[drdel]

My other half had the issue she bought a device from Germany that is like an elliptical padded wedge that she put between her shoulder blades either while sitting upright or lying down for a couple of minutes each day. It aims to help progressively spread the rib cage and allow the lungs to function more freely. She reckons it has helped but obviously I'm not aware of your exact situation. I'll see if I can dig out the details if you want.

 

[drdel]

My other half had the issue she bought a device from Germany that is like an elliptical padded wedge that she put between her shoulder blades either while sitting upright or lying down for a couple of minutes each day. It aims to help progressively spread the rib cage and allow the lungs to function more freely. She reckons it has helped but obviously I'm not aware of your exact situation. I'll see if I can dig out the details if you want.

Here's a link - obviously it might not be relevant...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LYNZBV3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[SGC001]

Buggy it for 9, walk 9.

Buggy for 18 but dont park too near ball to keep getting some exercise although 18 holes of stepping up onto buggy is enough for some with copd condition.

 

[Norrin Radd]

COPD is an umbrella term for various lung diseases which makes breathing and therefore doing things quite difficult. This year I have been diagnosed and it’s steadily getting worse, I had to leave work and retire about 4 months ago as I simply didn’t have enough breath to do my job as a mechanic. Up until now I’ve been managing to play golf 2 or 3 times a week, huffing and puffing my way round and probably getting a bit slower but nobody has said anything yet. That was until today, took the dog for a short walk and thought no way can I play golf today so sat in my chair feeling miserable.
Are there any others on here that manage to carry on playing and how do you cope? Getting a buggy is one answer but that rules out winter golf and the people at the pulmonary classes say keeping fit is very important. In the back of my mind I’m thinking indoor bowls, snooker or darts is going to be the way to go.

I too have this year been afflicted by COPD and have to use a buggy as I couldn't walk our first hole let alone eighteen.like you say it generally rules out winter golf and my membership is really being wasted during the wet months.
Indoor bowls might be an option for me as there is a rink near me so am tempted to give it a go.
I do use the range to try and keep my swing going but it's not the same as playing and I find it very tiring if I hit more than forty balls at a time.
We do have an indoor practice facility at the club but it's twenty pound an hour to play ,as it's a shotscope or whatever they call it where you can play a course on the big screen .
It's fun but again not the same as on course golf as it's perfect lies every time .
I have had to change careers as well ,I was a refrigeration engineer working on commercial vehicles but now drive a cab as I can't climb about on top of articulated lorry trailers as it makes me too breathless.
C
Best of luck with whatever you decide on for the winter months ,and who knows bowls just might be a game you are very good at.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Is there any chance that a nice helpful Junior (or the child/grandchild of your own; a relative; a friend) might caddy for you - for £10-£20 or whatever? Might seem quite an additional cost for a round - but compared with the cost of an electric trolley or buggy hire when permitted...depends how keen you are to play.

 

[Sats]

Is there any chance that a nice helpful Junior (or the child/grandchild of your own; a relative; a friend) might caddy for you - for £10-£20 or whatever? Might seem quite an additional cost for a round - but compared with the cost of an electric trolley or buggy hire when permitted...depends how keen you are to play.

Seriously this would be a good money earner for a junior. Plus it's helpful to those who need help - especially in the winter months.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Is there any chance that a nice helpful Junior (or the child/grandchild of your own; a relative; a friend) might caddy for you - for £10-£20 or whatever? Might seem quite an additional cost for a round - but compared with the cost of an electric trolley or buggy hire when permitted...depends how keen you are to play.

I would love to do the above but I can't walk far enough

 

[chrisd]

Its reading these stories that makes most of us realise how lucky we are. I wish you guys well and hope you manage to play golf until you're 100 years old 👍

 

[trevor]

Having a caddy wouldn’t help, I have an electric trolley with a 36 hole lithium battery and sometimes actually use it to pull me up the few hills we have. I am still managing to play at the moment, wanted to play yesterday but felt totally breathless so didn’t go, struggled to even wash the car but then today felt better and did 18 so will just keep plugging away and playing when I can. I had 45 years of breathing diesel fumes in and in the middle of that had 20 years at Heathrow airport working next to the runways so don’t think that will have helped.
I’ve had loads of help and advice from the NHS, just finished a 6 week pulmonary rehabilitation course with education and exercises which was really good and have all the inhalers with spacers etc so don’t think I can do much more.
Thanks for all your replies, help and advice.

 

[rudebhoy]

Guy I used to play with dropped golf in favour of archery! Found it bizarre, but he loves it. They do it outdoors in the summer and indoors in the winter.

If you have a decent council gym near you, it would be worth going along and having a chat with them. They should be able to work out a routine for you which keeps you active. There are a couple of guys who go to my gym who struggle to walk, but still do a bit on the exercise bike and rowing machine.

Swimming could also be a good option for you?