By Dr. Sami Farah, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Specialist in Anterior Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of attending the Australian Open with my brother, where I met tennis great Jim Courier. Standing courtside,...
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Getting Back on the Green: Hip Surgery and Your Golf Game
By Dr. Sami Farah, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Specialist in Anterior Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement. Hip Surgery and Your Golf Game are no longer incompatible. Thanks to advancements in minimally invasive techniques, golfers can look forward to not just pain...
ANOI meetup – November 2024
The final meeting for the members of the Australian National Orthopaedic Institute (ANOI) was kindly sponsored by A.M. Orthopaedics and Future Surgical. Aside from the usual presentations by members of their difficult cases, audits and key performance indicator...
Solving hip pain problems with Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty
Are you struggling with hip problems and searching for an effective solution? Hip Resurfacing Arthroplasty offers a cutting-edge approach to addressing hip issues and providing much-needed relief. This innovative procedure has gained popularity for its ability...
Ancient Egyptian first-nations people and Orthopaedic history
Inspired by the Ramses-II exhibition currently at the Australian Museum, Sydney, A.M. Orthopaedics is proud to present its own little bit of history.Did you know that the first known intramedullary nail was found in a mummy named Usermontu (from 1,500 BC)? It looks...
Australian National Orthopaedics Institute meeting November 2023
The Australian National Orthopaedic Institute (ANOI) had its final meeting for 2023. It was kindly sponsored by Future Surgical Pty Ltd and AM Orthopaedics. Aside from the rustic venue (the Lock Inn, Alexandria) and the great food, robust and lively discussions were...
Swinging After Hip Replacement: Achieving Power Safely
Part Two of the “Getting Back on the Green” Series
By Dr. Sami Farah, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Specialist in Anterior Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement
In Part One of this series, we explored recovery milestones and the timeline for returning to golf after hip replacement. Now, in Part Two, we shift focus to swing mechanics—specifically how to adjust your golf swing to generate power safely without placing undue stress on your new joint. Whether you’re easing back into the game or aiming to improve your performance post-surgery, mastering these techniques will help you protect your hip while maintaining strength, control, and consistency on the course.
1. Master the Weight Shift
Post-surgery, it’s crucial to learn how to move your weight smoothly during the swing. Instead of forcefully rotating your hips (ie snapping), aim for a gradual shift from your trail side to your lead side. This controlled transfer protects your hip while improving balance and consistency through impact.
Source: You and Your Golf Swing
2. Use the Heel Lift
A simple yet effective adjustment is allowing your lead heel to rise slightly during the backswing, then letting the trail heel lift during follow-through. This technique facilitates better rotation, eases pressure on the hip, and makes the swing feel more natural.
Source: Golf Tips Magazine
3. Shorten and Smooth the Swing
You don’t need a full, maximum coil to hit the ball with authority. A three-quarter backswing paired with a balanced, upright finish provides plenty of power with far less strain. Many golfers actually discover cleaner contact and more reliable ball flight with this adjustment.
Final Thought
Golf after hip replacement is not about swinging harder—it’s about swinging smarter. By combining smooth weight shift, a subtle heel lift, and a controlled swing arc, you’ll find power, precision, and safety can all coexist on the course.
For a refresher on recovery milestones and when you can return to play, see Part One of this series: Getting Back on the Green.
Dr Sami Farah
MBBS, BSc(Appl.Math&Phys), MBiomedEng, FRACS (Ortho), FAOrthA
Dr Sami Farah is an experienced Hip and Knee Orthopaedic Surgeon consulting and operating across the Eastern Suburbs and Sutherland Shire of Sydney. He offers 25+ years of clinical and surgical experience at the highest level and is an expert in anterior minimally invasive hip replacement, hip resurfacing and patient-specific knee replacement.