Golf After a Hip Replacement

After a hip replacement, the biggest barrier to getting back on the course may not be your swing. It may be walking several miles over 18 holes.

Many golfers return to the game after surgery, and a personal golf buggy can make that return more manageable by cutting down the walking and giving you somewhere to sit between shots.

This article provides general information rather than medical advice. Always follow the guidance given by your surgeon, physiotherapist or healthcare team, as they understand your operation and recovery.

When Can You Return to Golf After a Hip Replacement?

There isn’t one timetable that applies to every golfer. Your return will depend on your operation, strength, balance, rehabilitation and the advice you have been given.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says golf may be possible from around six weeks if the patient is comfortable. Newcastle Hospitals also says low-impact sports such as golf can usually be resumed gradually from around six weeks, while reminding patients to be careful with twisting and bending.

University Hospital Southampton gives a more cautious general estimate of about six months. That difference shows why a date found online should never replace advice from your own healthcare team.

Ask your surgeon or physiotherapist specifically about:

• Putting and chipping

• Half-swings and full swings

• Walking on slopes and uneven ground

• Bending to place or collect a ball

• Getting in and out of a golf buggy

• Playing nine or 18 holes

Why Use a Golf Buggy After a Hip Replacement?

An 18-hole round can involve several miles of walking, often over slopes, wet grass and uneven ground. Even when your swing feels comfortable, that distance can leave you tired or sore before the end of the round.

A golf buggy can help by:

- Reducing the distance you need to walk

- Making hills and long gaps between holes easier to manage

- Giving you somewhere to sit between shots

- Carrying your clubs and other equipment

- Saving energy for your swing

- Making a shorter first round more manageable

For golfers who want to play regularly, a personal single-seat golf buggy also removes the uncertainty of whether a shared club buggy will be available.

You can drive to your own ball, take your own route around the course and play at your normal pace. Your clubs travel with you, so you don’t need to carry a heavy bag or push a trolley between shots.

The Powaglide Eagle

The Powaglide Eagle is a single-seat golf buggy built to help golfers keep playing when walking the course has become difficult.

Features that may be useful when returning after a hip replacement include:

• An adjustable padded seat with armrests, giving you a comfortable place to sit throughout the round

• Simple controls, so the buggy is straightforward to drive around the course

• Up to 36 holes from one charge, depending on the terrain and conditions

• Three main sections for transport, allowing the buggy to be taken apart for loading into a suitable car

• Space to carry your golf bag, removing the need to carry or push your clubs around the course

The Eagle is for one golfer, so you aren’t tied to another player’s ball or dependent on a two-seat buggy. That can make it easier to return to your usual game and retain your independence on the course.

Using a buggy doesn’t automatically mean you are ready to play. You still need to be able to get on and off safely, sit comfortably and make your shots. Ask your healthcare team whether using one is appropriate for you.

Loading matters too. The Eagle separates into three sections, but you should still consider whether you or somebody travelling with you can lift them comfortably. Our guide explains how to check whether a single-seat golf buggy will fit in your car.

Check Your Golf Club’s Buggy Policy

It’s also worth checking your golf club’s buggy policy and any temporary restrictions before you travel.

Some clubs restrict buggy use in poor weather or require golfers to follow designated routes. If you use a buggy because of a disability or health condition, ask the club what information it needs from you and whether any local rules apply.

Can You Buy a Golf Buggy VAT-Free?

Eligible customers with a long-term illness or disability may also be able to purchase a golf buggy VAT-free.

Whether you qualify depends on your circumstances and the relevant VAT rules. Powaglide can explain the purchasing process, but it is the customer’s responsibility to confirm their eligibility.

A Simple Return to Golf

Once your healthcare team is happy for you to start playing, keep the first few visits simple:

• Begin with putting, chipping and controlled half-swings

• Try a short driving-range session before playing on the course

• Choose a familiar course and a quiet tee time

• Start with a few holes or nine holes rather than committing to 18

• Use a buggy to reduce the walking and avoid carrying your bag

Check how your hip feels later that day and the following morning

Golf still involves hip rotation, balance and weight transfer, even when you use a buggy. If a movement causes pain or doesn’t feel right, stop and speak to your doctor.

Final Thoughts

Returning to golf after a hip replacement isn’t only about being able to swing a club. You also need to manage the walking, hills, long distances between holes and the weight of your equipment.

The Powaglide Eagle can take much of that work out of the round. By carrying you and your clubs between shots, it lets you save your energy for playing golf and enjoy more independence on the course.

If you would like to discuss the Eagle, arranging a test drive or transporting the buggy, call Powaglide on 07787 533333 or contact our team.