sore finger

[dan d]

About tfifteen years ago I hit a two iron out on the toe and immediately felt an excruciating pain in the mid-joint of my left middle finger. The lower part of my finger swelled immediately and was very difficult to bend (painful). I went to my doctor and he told me to quit playing until it healed. I quit for ten years. The finger took about six months to fully heal.

Now I'm retired and back into golf (read - so enthused that I'm playing four times a week!) A week ago I mi a seven iron and immediately blew-out the same finger! Back to the same doctor for the same advice - "Quit until it heals."
Trouble is, this time I'm too much into it to stop playing. I had thick, soft arthritic grips put on my irons but any balls not hit on the sweet spot will hurt me like a demon.
It's only the irons that hurt. I have tried taping, pain pills, even splinting the finger so that it is not on the grip but I can't maintain my grip through the swing after impact.
Has anyone else suffered anything similar and come up with some ingenious remedy?

Sorry for the long post. Thanks, Dan D

[Steelhead]

I broke my left thumb about 3 weeks ago and I haven't stopped playing. Being righthanded I am able to slide my thumb over the grip (kind of like a baseball grip) while still keeping my index and my pinkie ovelapped. It took some getting used to but I am now very comfortable with that technique.

[Kilroy]

A friend of mine has a problem with his hand and he went to fatter grips. He swears it helps a lot.

[el tigre]

We're all Canadian golf fanatics here, dan. We have to quit golf for at least 4 months every year, and somehow we live through it.

Your health is more important than a game, so take some time off. Maybe not the full 6 months but at least 2 or 3. If you don't it will never heal properly. You're in southern California - the game will still be there when you're ready.

[leftylucas]

I have arthritis in the hands but the only place I ever feel pain for a couple of days after playing is in the lower joint of my pinky on the lead hand. Not sure if tis the Art acting up or something I am doing.

[covanant]

Personaly,i would cut it off rather than give up golf!

[LobWedge]

There's an item that ball players use called a thumb protector. It's a neoprene pad that has a hole in it for the thumb to fit snugly, and is designed to reduce bat shock. It could probably be worn in a similar fashion on the middle finger, over the second knuckle, so that the cushion would be between your finger and the grip. They are also available in a youth size that would probably fit more snugly around a finger as opposed to a thicker thumb. Here's a link to one I found. Good luck.

http://www.baseballexp.com/baseball/...goryId=1212490

[dan d]

Thanks for the replies. Good stuff. I'm going to check into that thumb protector mentioned by Lob Wedge. Believe it Covanant - I really have fantasized about cutting the damn thing off! Lucas' suggestion about going left-handed is feasible except the middle finger on my right hand is the same way but not anywhere near as bad. I grew up in Buffalo so I know about those forced layoffs - as kids we'd play baseball on blacktop during Easter Vacation since the the diamonds were thawing quagmires. If you didn't slide into second on a close play you were a *****. El Tigre- you are far too sensible - I played today and am writing this with a finger the size and color of a bratwurst and I can't wait for Monday!
thanks Dan D

[4Iron]

Dan, if you already have a loose grip, try not missing your shot - jk, hope it heals quicker this time.