An often asked question is, "Can I play golf when I’m pregnant? And if so, when I get ‘bigger,’ will I still be able to swing my club?". Let's look into it...
Absolutely, many pregnant women continue to enjoy golf throughout their pregnancies, in fact golf helps with pregnancy in many ways.
Core Engagement: Golf requires rotational movements that engage the core muscles including the obliques, abdominals and lower back muscles. These help improve posture, and that’s got to be good when carrying extra precious cargo!
Balance & Stability: Maintaining balance and stability are essential elements of a good golf swing. Pregnancy can affect balance due to changes in the body's centre of gravity
Low Impact Exercise: Golf is generally considered a low-impact sport, especially if you practice proper swing mechanics. Low-impact exercise is recommended as gentler on the joints while still providing cardiovascular benefits.
Get out in Nature: Especially in the late stages of pregnancy getting out in the fresh air, having some gentle exercise and enjoying the social interaction of the members at the club promotes an overall sense of harmony and wellbeing that will resonate through to the baby! Not to mention improved circulation, boosted energy levels, and the promotion of better sleep! Now who doesn’t need that – make the most of it before baby comes!
If you are going to play – then here are a few tips for looking after yourself on the fairways.
- Consult with your Doctor.
- Listen to your body
- Modify your Swing
- Stay Hydrated
- Dress comfortably
- Take Breaks
- Be Mindful of Sun Exposure
- Avoid Over Exertion
Advice from women who’ve played golf whilst pregnant
“At the very beginning, I was pretty tired just walking. When you're playing professionally, obviously you walk every day, whether it's practice or in tournaments, but being able to pace that was something I had to really listen to, because I want to be out there 10 hours of the day, but there's something that's obviously a little bit more important going on inside of your body. So, I would say the biggest thing for me was just listening to when I was tired, to not push it as much.” (P Creamer)
“As I enter my third trimester (the stretch of week 28-30), I am starting to feel heavier in my lower abdomen and less inclined to move fast. The little wiggles and movements from the baby inside are more apparent. From those signals, I’m getting the message that I need to slow down a bit. Instead of bending from the waist, I stay more upright and bend from my knees like I’m doing a squat. I’m sure it looks odd, but it feels better than squeezing my lower abdomen by folding from the waist.” (T Rose)