Is it safe to play golf when pregnant? How to Stay Safe
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| Is it safe to play golf when pregnant? |
Women who are pregnant frequently ask me, "Can you play golf while pregnant?"
Technically, you are free to do whatever you choose. The more pressing concern is whether you should swing a club when pregnant. In this essay, I discuss whether you should play and how far along you should be in your pregnancy.
In addition, I offer advice and measures to assist you and your baby stay healthy.
Can You Play Golf While You’re Pregnant?
Playing golf while pregnant is not only not a problem for most women, but it is actually healthy. However, this is dependent on your specific situation. While the workout is advised, hip and shoulder rotation can strain your back at a moment when you need to protect yourself and your valuable cargo.
A pregnant golfer is vulnerable to heat, in addition to the risk of back, hip, and shoulder issues. Pregnant women should drink eight to twelve glasses of water per day, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It will not be difficult to stay hydrated if you drink plenty of water on a regular basis.
Sufficient water is only one component of being safe in the heat; I recommend avoiding teeing off on hot days. For starters, heatstroke puts you and your baby at risk, and it also causes extreme exhaustion.
However, if you ignore this advise, it is worthwhile to use a golf cart in hot weather. Reduced stress reduces the likelihood of swelling in the feet and ankles, keeping you comfortable and pain-free.
Eventually, you will be able to play golf while pregnant. Simply be extra cautious to prevent harming yourself or jeopardizing your baby's health. Before you grab your clubs and head out with the girls, check with your doctor to be sure you're cleared to play.
We only need to look at Catriona Matthew to see that it is feasible to play golf when pregnant. She won the HSBC LPGA Brazil Cup by five shots in 2009, when five months pregnant with her second child.
Does The Trimester Matter?
Woodmont Country Club's Director of Instruction is Trillium Rose. In 2018, she published an article about her experiences as a pregnant golfer. Rose noted that, in addition to physical changes in her body, her energy was limiting her capacity to play.
She reveals that during her first trimester, she had little energy and preferred to sleep the most of the time. As you might expect, this had an effect on her motivation, and she no longer had the desire to play golf.
When she did play, she was careful not to grab and rip it like in the past. To protect her child, she thought she needed to slow down her golf swing for low impact. Rose, on the other hand, claims that it had no effect on her mechanics and required no swing tweaks.
Trillium noticed that she had more energy in her second trimester, but she could also sense changes in her physique. She felt her center of mass decrease as the trimester went, and the extra weight helped to retain her posture through the swing.
Furthermore, her joints were starting to loosen at this point, and she was afraid of harming herself if she over-extended her swing.
According to Rose, the third trimester is when you know you need to slow down with any strenuous exercise.
Her inability to optimize hip rotation was hampered by her considerable weight gain around the midsection. As a result, she opted to stand taller and bend at the knees to gain more power on the downswing.
Furthermore, Trillium discovered that bending down to set her tee in the ground and pick up her ball from the cup became excruciatingly painful.
Precautions and Tips to Keep You and Your Baby Safe
Liquids should be packed.
I've already mentioned the significance of staying hydrated during your round. Pregnant women should consume eight to twelve glasses of water every day, according to ACOG.
On days when you play, you will most likely require more than normal. Blair O'Neal discovered that staying hydrated while playing increased her energy and reduced fatigue:
Bring Snacks
Although nine holes takes only two and a half hours, you are now eating for two. Blair O'Neal discovered that keeping her favorite foods in her backpack during each round increased her energy, allowing her to avoid weariness and perform to her full potential.
Simple Warm-Up
You should absolutely warm up before you tee off. However, O'Neal recommends simply striking a couple of balls to release the muscles before proceeding to the first tee. A lengthy warm-up is normally recommended, but it will exhaust you and impair your ability to play a full round.
Putter Suction Cup
A putter suction cup is commonly linked with older guys who have pot bellies. It is, nonetheless, useful for those who are pregnant. The directions are straightforward. Suck the ball up by attaching the cup to the top of your putter grip. You simply raise the cup to your hand and grab the ball.
Eliminating the need to bend down and gather the ball is one less movement that could have an influence on your and your baby's health.
Cart for Golf
Walking improves your heart rate and is one of the safest activities, however it is not recommended on extremely hot days. Heatstroke, sunburn, and dehydration are all increased by prolonged sun exposure. If you are already tired, I recommend that you take a golf cart instead.
Consult Your Doctor
Golf, unlike downhill skiing, gymnastics, or horseback riding, is not a risky sport. However, there are still dangers in the game. That is why, before you pack your golf bag, you should see your doctor.
While they will most likely appreciate your desire for exercise, golf may not be appropriate for your condition during pregnant. However, many women have played golf while pregnant with no issues.
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