Keen to hit the fairways again after your surgery? Good news – it’s a question of when, not if you can play golf after knee replacement. Professionals Fred Funk and Mark McNulty have both undergone the procedure and returned not only to the course, but to the PGA tour. Former Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington is expected to join the knee replacement gang in the next few years. The numbers bode well if you’re looking to tee off again after your surgery. According to the National Institutes of Health, 81.5% of knee replacement patients are able to successfully return to the game.
From the benefits of playing the game to tips on a safe return, this article takes a close look at playing golf after a knee replacement.
Why is it important to stay active after knee replacement surgery?
Putting golf aside for a moment, it’s very important to stay physically active following knee replacement surgery. The reasons range from improving your post-surgery range of motion in the new knee joint to achieving and maintaining a high quality of physical and mental wellbeing.
“Life is motion and motion is life.”
Kenan Dehne, consultant orthopaedic surgeon
Is golf hard on the knees?
The answer to this (and most other things about the game) lies in your swing. According to a 2017 study conducted by King Edward VII’s Hospital, up to 18% of golfers sustained knee injuries from playing golf. One of the most common golf-related injuries is the meniscus tear. A quick and powerful golf swing can put up to five times your bodyweight through your knee, so after repeating this motion multiple times per round, it’s little wonder injuries occur.
Other common knee injuries from golf include ACL and MCL tears, chondrosis, and osteoarthritis.
The image below illustrates the different parts of the knee that can be affected by golfing injuries.
The benefits of golf after knee replacement surgery
The main thing golf has going for it with regards to being a post-surgery activity is that it’s a low impact sport. The last thing you want to do following knee replacement surgery is put your new joint under lots of stress on a rugby field or ski slope. Swimming, walking, and golf are excellent activities to do to start building up your fitness and muscle strength.
Getting out in the fresh air, socialising, and gentle physical activity are also on the list of benefits the game provides.
How long after knee replacement can I play golf?
The answer to this question will depend on who you ask and how quickly you recover following the operation. Generally speaking though, you can reasonably expect to return to play golf between two and five months after your surgery.
One useful nugget of information to bear in mind is that knee replacement patients who played golf before their surgery had better general function of their knees than non-golfers. What’s more, the majority of those that had returned to the game a year after their surgery reported being satisfied with their involvement in the sport.
Recovery timeline for returning to golf after knee surgery
Before we jump into the answer for this question, it’s important not to take these words as gospel. The reasons being as follows:
1 – People heal at different speeds 2 – Your golf swing.
If you have a particularly fast or wide swing, you may want to give it some thought. A slower, more methodical backlift and follow-through is likely going to be kinder to your knees.
With that said, most knee replacement patients are able to make a return to playing golf between two and six months following their surgery.
Golf 3 months after knee replacement
Three months into your recovery from knee replacement surgery and we suspect you’ll be getting a bit twitchy. A chat with your physio or consultant will likely reveal whether they think you’re ready to pick up the clubs again. If you do get the green light, don’t immediately go out and book 18 holes. You’ll need to start slow – hitting the putting green first to get your eye in. You should build up from there – wedges and short irons before then getting the big sticks out.
Can you play golf 6 weeks after knee replacement surgery?
For the majority of patients, this is too early in the recovery timeline after knee replacement. The answer, therefore, is likely going to be a no. Six weeks is likely too early in the recovery timeline to be hitting the course again.
Hear from our past knee surgery patients
““I saw Practice Plus Group had some good reviews and when I looked at the NHS waiting times it was an easy decision [to make].”
Jim Weir, knee replacement patient at Practice Plus Group hospital, Emersons Green
Tips for safely getting back into golf after knee replacement
You’ve spent so much time staring at your golf clubs since your surgery they’re imprinted in your mind. But good news: your physio has just given you the green light to dust them off and get back into the swing of things!
But hold up – although it’s the first thing you’ll want to do, booking 18 holes is the last thing you need to do. The tips and hints below will help ease yourself in gently.
Play with modifications
You’re likely going to need to shorten and slow your swing down in the early days of your return to golf. A fast, wide arc is likely going to put a lot of stress on your new knee joint, so considering making changes to your set-up is a good idea.
Having lessons with a golf pro may also help. He or she will be able to make the necessary adjustments to your grip and swing to make your return to the game more comfortable.
Hit the driving range
Or even better, start with the putting green – after all, as the saying goes: the pros pay their bills on the putting green. Your return to the game should start with the shorter clubs, so wedges are the name of the game.
Work your way up
Start slow. The last thing you want is to re-injure your knee and set yourself back months. Start on the putting green before working your way up to the range. When you do hit the driving range, don’t be tempted to reach for the big stick. Start with wedges and short irons and work on your short game.
Practice golf exercises after knee replacement
Exercise after knee replacement surgery is key. Following surgery, your physio will provide you a list of exercises that will strengthen and test the new joint. It’s important to do these exercises as instructed and attend any physiotherapy classes that you’re prescribed. Doing so will help you make a full and speedy recovery.
Choose the right equipment
This can be a gamechanger. If you need to alter your swing, it makes sense to ensure your clubs are still the right fit. Plus it’s a great excuse to upgrade your set! A good clubshop professional should be able to help with this.
If you haven’t already, investing in a trolley is a great idea. This won’t just take the stress off your new knee joint but your back too!
Pitch and putt
Start slow and small. For this, pitch and putts are great as they’re much shorter than full courses. In turn, this will put much less stress on your new knee. It will also improve your short game!
Work on your swing
As previously mentioned, you may need to adjust your swing post-surgery, especially if it was previously fast and wide. The local pro should be able to help here, giving you tips as to how to develop your swing to the point you’re comfortable and happy with it.
Know when to stop and rest
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of being back on the course, but remember to listen to your body. If you feel persistent knee pain, that’s the signal to stop. Be prepared for golfing gaps in your recovery – in other words, you may find not playing for a week or two is beneficial to you in the long run.
Prepare, strengthen, and stretch
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Or so goes the saying. And it fully applies here. Along with your physiotherapy, implementing a few stretching exercises can be a great way of preventing future injuries.
Use a golf cart
Certainly for the first few rounds out on the course anyway. This will help keep your new knee joint from unnecessary stress in the early days of your return to playing. Investing in a golf trolley is a good idea too (if you don’t already have one). This will save you carrying your bag and increasing the risk of re-injuring your knee. Before ditching the cart entirely, make sure you’re comfortable walking about 10,000 steps. This is roughly how many you’ll take during a full round of golf – depending on how waywards your shots are!
When to seek medical advice
If you’ve been dealing with knee pain for a while, it can be difficult to know if surgery is the right option. Here are some signs that might indicate you need a knee replacement:
Severe pain that makes everyday tasks difficult
Swelling around the knee
Stiffness around the knee
Reduced mobility
If knee pain is affecting your ability to walk, exercise, or even rest comfortably, knee surgery might be a beneficial option to help restore function and relieve pain. Speak to a knee specialist or healthcare provider about your options.
Get back into the swing of things sooner than you thought
At Practice Plus Group Hospitals we’re passionate about giving patients a positive experience and excellent clinical outcomes, with personalised care every step of the way. Whether you’re paying for yourself or using private medical insurance, with our short waiting times, unrivalled Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings and high levels of cleanliness and infection control, we’ll make sure you’re looked after. In fact, we were the first provider to have all services rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC.
After medical school in Al-Mustansirya University in Baghdad, Nawar moved to Sweden where he passed the medical exam at Karolinksa Institute in Stockholm (MD) and started training to become Swedish-Board certified specialist in trauma and orthopaedics. He researched in the area of developmental hip dysplasia and enrolled in PhD studies at Gothenburg University on ankle fractures epidemiology. Nawar moved to the UK in 2020 and is still a visiting surgeon in Sweden. As a high volume surgeon, he has performed over 1000 joint replacements.
FAQs about returning to golf after knee replacement surgery
Not yet found the information you’re looking for? Our dedicated FAQs may be able to help!
Should you change your golf swing after knee replacement surgery?
If you have a particularly fast or wide swing arc, it may be an idea to make some modifications. Your local club pro should be able to help with this.
What is the best golf swing after total knee replacement?
The one that you feel most comfortable with. In the early days after you return to playing, you should take it very slowly; start practising your putting and your short game. Half swings with your wedges and short irons should be the aim of the game to begin with.
When can I return to golf after partial knee replacement?
It varies from patient-to-patient but generally you can expect to return to the game between two and six months after your operation.
What are the best golf shoes to wear after knee replacement?
Ones that provide adequate support for your new knee. Your physio, consultant, and even your local golf pro should be able to help recommend the best option for you.
Do any professional golfers have knee replacements?
Yes – 1989 Open Champion Mark Calcavecchia is the proud owner of two knee replacements. Fred Funk and Mark McNulty have also undergone the procedure while Padraig Harrington is thought to be joining the knee replacement club in the coming years. And it doesn’t end with golf, there are a number of famous athletes with knee replacements.
What exercises are not good after knee replacement?
Anything that’s high-impact or carries a sizable risk of falling over. High-impact activities such as skiing, rugby, and martial arts are definitely on the list of what not to do after a knee replacement.
Why does my knee hurt after golfing?
This could be for many reasons. You may have put undue stress on the joint due to the repetitive nature of your swing action. Or you may simply have just overdone it.
You may benefit from a period of rest or, if your knee pain is persistent, it’s a good idea to seek medical advice.
Should I wear a knee brace for golf?
It may help. You should ask your consultant or physio for information about this.
Is playing golf safe for my knees after surgery?
It should be but only when you get the green light from your consultant or physio. This is likely to be anything between two and six months following your surgery.
