Conference 7.286::golf

    J.J. ,
      A couple of guys I know have switched to the cushion type of
    grip and also to graphite shafts so they don't have to hit so
    hard and say that their hand feel much better now after play
    or practice. It is probably the vibrations up the shaft that
    cause the problems. About treatments, see your doctor, he knows
    more about that than most of us.
    
    Mad Hacker

    
    I would say go to a Dr., some possible causes besides what you mention
    is that you are gripping the club to tight, thus putting extra tension
    on the joints during the swing, and especially at contact.
    
    --Bob
    

I get sore hands, mostly the back of the left (hurts to move the fingers, 
or flex the back of the hand) and both wrists.  Last year it was aweful.  
Almost every time I hit the ball it would hurt, and then for days 
afterwards.  It became an every day problem.  I couldn't even do a pushup
(i.e. put my weight on my hands) without a significant amount of pain
across the hands and wrists. 

This past winter I did two things that I think have helped.  First, I do some
really simple exercises when I'm watching TV.  I do wrist curls and finger
curls with 6 lb. weights.  Also, I remember seeing on a Golf Digest tape on
driving where John Elliot said the most powerful move in golf (subject to 
discussion, of course) is an up and down action of the wrists (when
extended).  I hold the weights vertically (arms resting on my knees) and
extend my wrists down and up (out beyond my knees) slowly working towards
as fast as far as a can. 

I also worked on changing my grip for this season, putting both hands in a
stronger position on the club.  After making these changes I do feel
better.  I don't get the pain when I play, or at least I haven't yet!  I
have some discomfort after playing, but it isn't anything like the pain
last year. 

Hope this helps.

Jeff

    The Dr who said the most powerful move in golf
    is the action of the left hand and left wrist knows golf.
    
    The back of my left hand and little ,ring and middle finger 
    of lefthand, stay numb at night from April to November.                                     
    I play a lot of rounds( plus driving ranges )and the constant
    pressure of the left hand grip creates this "asleep" feeling
    of the nerves and muscles, especially at night.
    
    A lot of hot water,jaccuzi's,Ben Gay,etc,helps but it's always
    going to be there. Extra strength Tylenol is always "in the bag".
    My doctor, who also plays a lot of golf says that taking a heavy
    object , let the arm hang, and then do circular arm movements
    increasing the radius and weight of object, is good "relef exercise
    for the golfing arms,hands and shoulders".
     I do it and it does feel good.And it did help a pulled muscle in
    my left bicep area after hitting a tree root.
    
    Ang
    
                                                              
    
    

    Here's some related news. Many people, myself included, develop
    something called "nerve ganglions" in the wrist(s). They consist
    of a sack of fluid about the size of a dime or quarter in/on the
    joint - you can feel a bump, perhaps even see it. They are
    occasionally referred to as "Bible Bumps" - from the old practice
    of smacking them with a heavy book to break up the sac. (Very
    painful cure, sometimes only effective for a few days.) 
    
    They can come and go over time, independent of playing golf, and
    can be quite painful. If really acting up, they can make it
    impossible to play golf - and we don't want that happening, do we?
    
    If you have this - be aware there is an effective cure! Go to your
    doctor - he can use a needle to "drain" the sack. The procedure
    (called "aspirating") is done in the office, and only takes a few
    minutes. No anesthetic is used, and its darn near painless. 
    
    I'd had these on and off for years - one spring it was so bad I
    could not even swing a club. I had the procedure done, and haven't
    had a bit of trouble in maybe 7 years. (I hear sometimes the bump
    can return, but I don't know anyone that's happened to.)   
    
    Good luck,
    
    Bob

    I have one on my left foot and has never really been painful so I've
    not had anything done to it other than see the Dr.  He indicated as was
    said .5 but also said if the puncturing was unsuccessful that it could
    be surgically removed too and/or avoid the outpatient care all together.

    Freebie,

    I had a similar problem with fingers on my right hand last year. After
    a while, I went to see a doctor.  She diagnosed arthritis and
    recommended that I take aspirin or motrin during golf season.  Seems to
    help, but as she explained, the fingers could have only been a symptom
    to something else.
    
    I have also heard people switch to surlin balls ... who know what is
    best.