In order to speed up play, and get more paying customers per day on the course, many private and public golf courses have made golf carts mandatory. That is a good thing for golfers with arthritic knees who would probably have to give up the game if they had to walk every step while carrying a golf bag for all 18 holes.
The pain and stiffness of arthritis in the knee is caused by cartilage breakdown. Age is a major and unavoidable risk factor. As many as 50% of golfers over 50 are likely to experience at least mild pain and discomfort in their knees while playing golf. Being overweight increases the risk, as does a prior injury to the knees, or a family history of osteoarthritis. As our society ages and puts on the pounds the number of golfers with arthritic knees will continue to increase.
Medical professionals say that “high loading” arthritic knees (placing unusually high amounts of stress on part or all of the knee joint) increases the risk of more serious injury and makes the arthritic condition progress faster. Carrying a golf bag for a few miles over the uneven terrain of a golf course would certainly qualify as high knee-loading so it’s always a good idea for golfers with arthritic knees to ride in a golf cart even when it is not required by course management.
Rheumatologists, doctors who specialize in arthritis treatment, have learned that shoes have a substantial impact on knee-loading, particularly when walking. Their research has shown that flat, flexible shoes significantly reduce knee-loading when compared with shoes with less flexible soles.
Researchers evaluated several different kinds of footwear and determined that while walking barefoot produced the least amount of knee-loading, not too practical a solution for a golfer, that flip-flops and slippers were closest to walking barefoot and were the best type of footwear to reduce knee-loading.
When shopping for your next pair of golf shoes look for shoes that bend easily at the midpoint. Most golf shoe manufacturers have a line of sneaker type golf shoes that will be more flexible than their cordovan style shoes. Sandal type golf shoes are also worth a look but only if they also bend easily. According to the medical research flexibility is the most important factor.
Properly prescribed knee braces and wedged orthotic shoe inserts can also be used to relieve the load on the knee while wearing golf shoes.
Wearing the right golf shoes will make you more comfortable on the course today and will probably lengthen your playing time too.