Parkinson’s? Play More Golf.

If you read between the lines when listening to most golfers describe the round they just completed, what they are really saying is “if it weren’t for the bad shots I hit, I would have had a good round today”.

In my own version of this, I like to think I would be a better golfer if I didn’t have Parkinson’s. In reality though, it’s likely my game wouldn’t be much different. Sure, I might lose a few strokes a round on short putts or shots around the green that require what is known in golf as soft hands. I struggle with more subtle movements, but golfers without Parkinson’s miss those type of shots with regularity as well. I just happen to have a medical excuse. I also have the occasional dyskinetic spasm that causes my swing to collapse creating some curious shots. Again, I am not alone in hitting bad shots.

Dyskinesia are abnormal, uncontrollable, involuntary movements that are common in those that take the Parkinson’s medication levodopa. It is common for me to sway my body, or parts of it, and contort my face unconsciously.

Golf provides an escape from Parkinson’s even on days when I am “off”, and physically having to think about lifting my feet to walk. When I take a stance to strike a golf ball, Parkinson’s seems to shut off. I don’t think about it during the process of hitting the ball, nor do I sense its customary heavy weight. I feel “normal” so long as I don’t stand over the ball too long, and I am certainly not the only golfer that struggles when taking too long to hit. (Plus, if you are taking too long to hit, I can assure you that you are driving the rest of your foursome nuts.)

I hadn’t consciously recognized this extent of this until a few days ago while I was sitting outside following a round. I went to pour wine into a wineglass, and I was shaking so much that I had to put it down and get someone else to pour for me. I had just finished one of my better rounds parring the final hole with four solid shots, but I couldn’t finesse a glass of wine.

Golf has been identified as great activity for Parkinson’s sufferers. With a walk of more than 8k (further if you don’t hit the ball straight), and the big full body movement of the golf swing. It has been proven to improve mobility and balance which prevents falls. You even get to yell “fore” occasionally which is good for those vocal muscles. A recent study even concluded that it was better than Tai Chi as a Parkinson’s treatment. I feel better on days I golf, and I think maybe I sleep better as well.

As for the trouble pouring wine, I have yet to find a study showing that wine is beneficial for those of us with Parkinson’s. I plan on continuing to my focus on this on behalf of the Parkinson’s community. It’s important to give back.

The obvious conclusion to this story is three games of golf a week is not enough.

If you have Parkinson’s, get out and play.

Originally published at https://shakeitupdotonline.wpcomstaging.com on April 10, 2021.