Power source for someone with weak legs?

[trapsmv15]

Two months ago, I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder where essentially my own immune system attacked my nerves, mostly affecting my legs. I have recovered immensely compared to its peak, but I have great fatigue at times, and my legs are considerably weak compared to normal. I expect this to stay for the rest of my life in some severity, though the percentages of recovery are very good.

 

As I'm no longer able to play basketball as a hobby because of this, I've thought about picking golf back up. But I have no idea how to swing. I need to be able to not exhaust my legs enough to walk a course (prolonged walking is fine, now, finally; running is another story) and still have enough power to be competitive. Are there certain methods of striking the ball that could help me?

 

I don't feel a swing like S&T or its similar brethren would help me, as just trying to perform its movements (including the squat-esque lateral shift) sans club really hurts. But I'm not here to rule that out; more so just trying to set a baseline as to how serious this is. My thighs get incredibly tight, and my legs will subsequently get weak and wobble, and then I lose control of them. I have the most trouble walking up stairs and doing squats, so I try to avoid both. Similar movements in the golf swing are ones I want to avoid, as well.

 

Just looking for any opinions out there. Figured a shot in the dark wouldn't hurt. Not being able to do athletics like I have my whole life is taking its toll physically and mentally.

 

Cheers,

Ryan

[juststeve]

Ryan:

Sorry about your diagnosis but I don't think it precludes your playing very good golf. If your legs are strong enough to allow you to walk the course they are strong enough to hit a golf ball along the way.

My own method was learned years ago from Manuel de la Torre. He has a book called Understanding The Golf Swing which I recommend to anyone no matter how good their legs are. In his swing what you do with the legs is allow them to react to the swinging of the club. They are not a source of speed or power. The same kind of ideas can be found in Ernest Jones, a one legged golf teacher, or Bob Toski, or Jim Flick. A lot of TGM teachers might also be compatible. Tom Tomacello has a set of you tube videos teaching a swing where most of the speed comes from the hands. His student Mark Evershed will also teach you to create speed through the educated use of the hands.

There are a lot of ways to swing a club and I'm sure you will find one that works for you if you work at it.

Steve

[larrybud]

I have a relative who was diagnosed with MS a few years ago. He was a club pro, and right now has great trouble walking, but he still can hit the ball. Probably can carry it 220 with almost no leg action at all. Very hands and arms swing now. Granted, he's not the player he used to be, but he can still break 80.

No way he could walk a course, either. I'm not saying it's easy, but I think it can be done. Maybe some lessons with a local instructor who knows how to handle some physical limitations, maybe look for a TPI guy.

[keto]

I would think a very smooth 'on plane' swing, with a strong shoulder turn and decent hip movement, should allow for your legs to just 'follow along'. If you can just do an easy weight shift of 50% of your weight or slightly more, from back foot heel to front foot toes, I would guess that, depending how athletic you are, it should allow for very decent distance.

[4thand11]

Might want to check out a swing called the Heard Super Swing. Essentially it is a strong-grip swing with the weight pre-set back at address. The upper body pretty much does all the work in the swing, the lower body just reacts naturally to the weight of the club. It is very upper body driven and I get as good or better distance than I used to get with a standard rotational, lower-body powered swing.

Since the weight is pre-set over the back leg at address there is no need for a weight shift on the way back, it is realy just a turning of the shoulders.

They have some info on the swing (as well as some other good alternatives) over at the Single-Axis golf forum, might want to check it out.

Hope this helps, best of luck.

[Hogan1975]

The natural golf system is very popular with people with disabilities I heard. Very easy on the body and back,,,valid system,,,and a good way to play... Research 1 st though..and the instructor of program is top notch, all around good guy

[trapsmv15]

Thank you all for your suggestions. More arm based swings seem to be the way to go, but I'll experiment and see what fits me best.

[trapsmv15]

I just wanted to post an update here and thank everyone for their help.

It's been about eight months since GBS onset, and I just had a follow-up with my neurologist. The weakness in my left side is [still] much more severe than the right, and the longer these things don't change, the more likely it is that I will be right side dominant in my golf swing and in life.

Steve "juststeve" offered me some great simple advice on the swing in private from his acquired perspective from Mr. de la Torre, and it is certainly starting to help me. And as well, I don't want to bounce from method to method anymore. So, I would like to ask if there is anyone around who has experience in powering the golf ball with the right side, in a sense. Just some tips on how to fire/straighten the right arm, how to avoid left wrist breakdown from firing, et al.

And thank you to Steve for all the help! Drove the ball like crap the other night and still shot a +5 39 from the whites. Not bad for my fifth round this year after a one year lay off.

[Tanner25]

[quote name='trapsmv15' timestamp='1376012587' post='7636842']
I just wanted to post an update here and thank everyone for their help.

It's been about eight months since GBS onset, and I just had a follow-up with my neurologist. The weakness in my left side is [still] much more severe than the right, and the longer these things don't change, the more likely it is that I will be right side dominant in my golf swing and in life.

Steve "juststeve" offered me some great simple advice on the swing in private from his acquired perspective from Mr. de la Torre, and it is certainly starting to help me. And as well, I don't want to bounce from method to method anymore. So, I would like to ask if there is anyone around who has experience in powering the golf ball with the right side, in a sense. Just some tips on how to fire/straighten the right arm, how to avoid left wrist breakdown from firing, et al.

And thank you to Steve for all the help! Drove the ball like crap the other night and still shot a +5 39 from the whites. Not bad for my fifth round this year after a one year lay off.
[/quote]

Good for you. Might I suggest a hyrbid iron set, too? Many say clubs don't make a difference. But, for me Cleveland HB3's really have helped. They are very forgiving. Now, everyone is in the game with these clubs. Adams, I guess started it. But, now Callaway, Mizuno, Cobra and many more have some excellent choices.

Tanner

[trapsmv15]

[quote name='Tanner25' timestamp='1376013088' post='7636908']
[quote name='trapsmv15' timestamp='1376012587' post='7636842']
I just wanted to post an update here and thank everyone for their help.

It's been about eight months since GBS onset, and I just had a follow-up with my neurologist. The weakness in my left side is [still] much more severe than the right, and the longer these things don't change, the more likely it is that I will be right side dominant in my golf swing and in life.

Steve "juststeve" offered me some great simple advice on the swing in private from his acquired perspective from Mr. de la Torre, and it is certainly starting to help me. And as well, I don't want to bounce from method to method anymore. So, I would like to ask if there is anyone around who has experience in powering the golf ball with the right side, in a sense. Just some tips on how to fire/straighten the right arm, how to avoid left wrist breakdown from firing, et al.

And thank you to Steve for all the help! Drove the ball like crap the other night and still shot a +5 39 from the whites. Not bad for my fifth round this year after a one year lay off.
[/quote]

Good for you. Might I suggest a hyrbid iron set, too? Many say clubs don't make a difference. But, for me Cleveland HB3's really have helped. They are very forgiving. Now, everyone is in the game with these clubs. Adams, I guess started it. But, now Callaway, Mizuno, Cobra and many more have some excellent choices.

Tanner
[/quote]

Thank you, Tanner. I actually have just bought the Super S driver and hybrids 1H, then 3H-6H and keeping my Redline irons 7-LW. I hate how regular flex shafts typically whip, so I went stiff hoping that the hybrid heads and a spinnier ball ('13 20xi) might help. They certainly do make the game easier, these things!

Now to get this whole swinging faster thing down to be competitive...

Ryan

[Tanner25]

[quote name='trapsmv15' timestamp='1376013514' post='7636958']
[quote name='Tanner25' timestamp='1376013088' post='7636908']
[quote name='trapsmv15' timestamp='1376012587' post='7636842']
I just wanted to post an update here and thank everyone for their help.

It's been about eight months since GBS onset, and I just had a follow-up with my neurologist. The weakness in my left side is [still] much more severe than the right, and the longer these things don't change, the more likely it is that I will be right side dominant in my golf swing and in life.

Steve "juststeve" offered me some great simple advice on the swing in private from his acquired perspective from Mr. de la Torre, and it is certainly starting to help me. And as well, I don't want to bounce from method to method anymore. So, I would like to ask if there is anyone around who has experience in powering the golf ball with the right side, in a sense. Just some tips on how to fire/straighten the right arm, how to avoid left wrist breakdown from firing, et al.

And thank you to Steve for all the help! Drove the ball like crap the other night and still shot a +5 39 from the whites. Not bad for my fifth round this year after a one year lay off.
[/quote]

Good for you. Might I suggest a hyrbid iron set, too? Many say clubs don't make a difference. But, for me Cleveland HB3's really have helped. They are very forgiving. Now, everyone is in the game with these clubs. Adams, I guess started it. But, now Callaway, Mizuno, Cobra and many more have some excellent choices.

Tanner
[/quote]

Thank you, Tanner. I actually have just bought the Super S driver and hybrids 1H, then 3H-6H and keeping my Redline irons 7-LW. I hate how regular flex shafts typically whip, so I went stiff hoping that the hybrid heads and a spinnier ball ('13 20xi) might help. They certainly do make the game easier, these things!

Now to get this whole swinging faster thing down to be competitive...

Ryan
[/quote]

Great, Ryan. Enjoy the new sticks. Also, when you said, swing faster. I thought of my new Wilson D100 driver. The jury is still out on them. But,
supposedly, you swing your normal swing. But, can get more clubhead speed with the same effort. If your trying to increase your speed. Those
clubs may help.

Tanner

[Asiz]

Although I don't have any lower body issues to deal with, I love to do some feet together drills. You've probably heard of them, but in case you haven't, it is what it sounds like. Swing the club with your feet together. It's great for balance and plane, but especially for upper body motion. Try some and start spreading your feet further apart until you find the spot that's most comfortable. Basically, you're training your lower body to be very still through the swing. Which can come in handy on various shots. Frankly, you might gain a bit of an advantage considering many high capps struggle with the lower body getting too active and your consistency might get really, really good. (Not saying that's a problem for you : ) but it helps me in that department)

[Shaggie]

Yes try hitting the ball with only using your hands and arms and your body will react to that motion faster than the other way around
It works for me I recently had a stroke due to trauma and doing rehab golf is a great way to recover balance and dexterity

[trapsmv15]

Guys, thanks for your tips and Shaggie, good luck in your recovery and best wishes.