Can you recommend golf gadgets that can help older golfers? I like to walk the course, but I have back problems that make stooping over to tee-up or retrieve the ball difficult. I also have some arthritis in my hands which makes gripping the club painful.

There is a variety of adaptive golf equipment that can help older golfers who struggle with arthritis, injuries or mobility problems. Here is a summary of the types of golf equipment that you can purchase to help with different needs.

Upright Golf Products

For golfers with back, hip or knee problems, there are several products on the market that will allow you to tee up the ball (and retrieve the tee) from an upright position without having to bend or stoop over. These stoop-proof devices typically feature long handles and ergonomic designs that allow for use from a standing position. You can find them online or at your local golf shop or golf course pro shop. 

In addition to tee-up tools, many companies also offer accessory products to help with other parts of the game. These include tools for retrieving the ball from the ground or cup, repairing divots, marking the ball on the green or picking up a club, sand rake or flag stick off the ground, all without bending over.

Gripping Solutions

Gripping a golf club can be challenging for golfers with arthritis or those who have hand or elbow injuries. To help alleviate this problem, there are specially designed golf gloves and grips that can provide assistance. There are also gloves that include a plastic claw that fits over your thumb and index finger to lock the club to your hand.

Another gripping solution is to get oversized grips installed on your clubs. These can make gripping the club easier and more comfortable, and they are good at absorbing shock. Oversized grips are usually either one-sixteenth-inch or one-eighth-inch larger in diameter than a standard grip and cost around $10 per grip, not including the cost of installation. You can find these grips and have them installed at your local golf store or pro shop.

Low Vision Golf Balls

If diminished vision from cataracts or eye problems makes locating the ball difficult, consider using reflective or colored golf balls. Reflective or colored golf balls can help make the balls appear larger and brighter.

Age-Friendly Golf Carts

For golfers who like to walk the course, there are ergonomically designed golf club carts that are lightweight and easy to maneuver. There are a variety of three and four-wheeled push/pull carts that are highly rated for function and foldability. There are also remote-controlled electric caddies that will transport your clubs around the course as you walk.

There is a specialized electric golf cart available that allows golfers with the ability to play from a seated or standing-but-supported position. This cart is lightweight and precisely balanced so it can be driven on tee boxes and greens without causing any damage. Federal ADA laws require that all public golf courses allow them.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.