Golf Guide for Heart Patients

A game of golf is beneficial for maintaining and improving overall health and fitness. At the same time, it is an enjoyable and social way to keep active outdoors.

However, if you have a heart condition, there are some important factors to consider before participating in the sport. Before starting or returning to your hobby, you should always seek advice.

Do remember that walking is the key aspect of playing golf. Building up the distance and walking over different types of ground, will prepare you for an enjoyable game.

What are the benefits of playing golf?

• Increases and maintains your stamina
• Increases and maintains your muscle strength and joint suppleness
• Increases and maintains your coordination and balance
• May encourage weight loss
• Improves your confidence and well-being

How fit do I need to be?

If you can walk up a slope or a flight of stairs comfortably, then you should be able to play golf. However, you will need to take into account the following considerations – the course terrain, the duration of the game and possibly using a buggy in the short or long term.

How can I get in shape for golf?

• Attend cardiac rehabilitation exercise sessions
• Walk regularly and build up distance & incline gradually
• As with any activities, ‘start low and go slow’
• Practice walking your course
• Start with the driving range or putting green
• Begin by playing fewer holes or on a smoother course

When is it safe to start if I have had a recent cardiac event or undergone a cardiac procedure?

• Four to six weeks after a heart attack – to allow your heart muscle to recover.
• Twelve weeks after open-heart surgery – to ensure that the arm work needed will not cause problems with the healing of the breast bone.
• You may be able to return sooner following coronary angioplasty. Discuss this with a member of your cardiac rehabilitation team.

What if I have a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter device (ICD)?

• If your device has been put in recently, you should wait at least six weeks* to allow the wires to settle.
• You may need to adjust your swing technique, to ensure that you are not straining the leads by keeping your arm closer to your body during the swing.

What if I have a diagnosis of angina?

• This depends on your individual circumstances and should be discussed with your doctor or a member of your cardiac rehabilitation team.
• If you are advised that you can play golf, have your GTN spray/tablets available.

What if I have been diagnosed with heart failure? 

• This depends on your fitness level and symptoms.
• If you are unsure, discuss this with your doctor or a member of your cardiac rehabilitation team.

Should I include a warm-up and cool-down?

• You should include gentle walking and gentle shoulder movement to prepare for your swing, as it is important to prepare your heart and body for the activity.
• Start and finish at a slower pace.

How should I feel?

• You should feel comfortable and be able to continue with the activity.
• It is fine to be slightly out of breath, as long as you can still talk. Otherwise, slow down.
• If you feel tired, take a rest.
• If you feel exhausted the following day, you probably have overdone it and need to reduce the length of the game the next time.

What other things should I consider?

• Do not allow yourself to be pressured by other golfers by rushing your game or walking faster than you feel comfortable doing so.
• Participate in the game only if you are feeling generally well.
• Stop exercising if you experience any chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or light-headedness. If the symptoms do not go away promptly with rest and/or your GTN spray/tablets, seek medical advice as soon as possible.
• Ensure that you have a good technique.
• Dress appropriately for the weather – remember that the heart works harder on cold and windy days, as well as when it is hot and humid.
• In the beginning, you may need to carry fewer clubs or use an electric caddy or buggy.
• Take care when lifting your golf equipment.
• Do not hold your breath whilst lifting equipment or whilst concentrating on your swing.
• Be mindful of the course landscape.
• If you need to stand still for long, keep your feet moving gently or wriggle your toes to help the blood circulation.

* Please note that these are guidelines only. Individual times to start exercising should be discussed with your doctor.

This article is reproduced with permission of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Cardiac Rehabilitation (www.acpicr.com). It is not intended to replace the advice that your doctor or cardiac rehabilitation team has given you, based on their expert knowledge of your condition.