Grips for minor painful finger joints

Hey all:

I'm 52 with off and on minor arthritis in my thumb heel and middle and ring finger joints.

It's not so bad most times but even before taking up the game again the heels of my thumbs would sometimes ache like a toothache to where turning a tool was hard. I am a service tech so use a lot of hand tools in my work.

I use an interlock finger grip but before trying to change this was wondering:

I use a Med glove and it's nice and tight, like a second skin as it should be.
My grip preference is wrap style. I am not interested in changing style unless it is known to benefit. I just don't like the feel of the not wrapped style grips. Velvet and the like

What have some of you done about the grip itself?
Have you gone to a mid to jumbo oversize?I currently use a standard grip
Tried the natural grip or release grip.

Thanks in advance

you will loose a little distance with using graphite shafts, but the shock is less.

Don't know if it is true or not, but I have heard that the 10 finger grip (instead of the interlocking) is widely used by people with arthritis. Your arthritis is in specific areas, so the 10 finger grip may, or may not work for you. I would think a good club fitter would be able to give you precise information on different types of grips, and shafts that could, or would ease your discomfort. GJS

This trouble not so much on mishit shots but simply the hold and release during my play.thanks for the input

I bought a Goldsmith 8 iron for $3 from a used bin at a golf shop. This club has the 'Natural golf' grip on it. The grip is not tapered and supose to hold these with the 10 finger grip. Feels pretty good. For me it's easier to 10 finger it than the taper grips. Since it's only one club can't judge on how a whole round would go with this type of grip

There is an arthritic grip out there - but the maker escapes me. IIRC, it's easier to hold because it's bigger, and has a shock-absorbing core.

Not sure if you have tried any NSAIDs or even analgesics, they may help alleviate some of your pain. If you have osteo-arthritis, you may want to try glocusamine and chondroitin. You can find these at most health food stores or pharmacies as they are supplements and you don't need a prescription from your doctor. Although I would consult with him/her before taking them.

Alternatively, I would recommend some exercises for your hand and forearm. Since you are a machinist, you probably perform a few of the same activities throughout the day. If you don't balance this out with other activities / exercises, you could run into bone/joint problems. It sounds like you may be on the cusp of this.

For strengthening your forearm, grab a weight (or anything) in your hand and do some basic wrist curls and extensions. This will work the top and bottom of your forearm. You could also work the sides by holding your arm straight down and flexing your wrist so that your fist goes toward your leg and then flexing it so it goes away from your leg. These exercises will work the entire forearm.

For your hand, grab a tennis ball or something similar in size. Hold it and squeeze. Squeeze for a count of 10-15 sec, release and repeat.

When you get done, stretch your fingers and forearm. Try this for a couple of weeks and see if your pain gets better. If not, talk to your doctor about some OTC supplements.

Hope this helps.
Brian

Those larger Natural Golf grips may be just the ticket for you. You might want to try the Natural Golf hand grip while you are at it. That grip is held more in the palms, than in the fingers. The club grip will be more in line with the inside of the trailing forearm when held in the trailing hand's palm. GJS