Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Purpose of golf club grip on cane? (self.Blind)
submitted by Fredchasing475
Wondering if anybody can think of a purpose for the “golf club“ grip on a lot of mobility canes. On an actual golf club, the flat side of the grip helps with orienting the club face. Clearly, that’s no benefit with a cane. My best guess is that cane manufacturers just found that ordering grips from golf club manufacturers was convenient.
retrolental_morose 12 points 1y ago
I extend my index finger along the fllatter side. It helps with sensation as the tip of the cane hits different textures etc, the vibrations travel up the shaft and are more easily felt when my finger is flat along the edge.
Aggressive-Yoghurt31 7 points 1y ago
you put your index finger on the flat side
Fredchasing475 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
I understand that they tell you to put your index finger on the flat side, just like you do in a golf grip on a golf club. But what’s the point? What benefit does that confer? As I said, with a golf club it gives you tactile feedback about the direction and orientation of your club face. But that’s obviously not necessary with a cane. So, all I can think of so far is they tell you to put your index finger in the flat side when you’re holding your cane because that’s what you do with a golf club with the same flat sided grip. But it serves no purpose with a cane, does it?
achromatic_03 3 points 1y ago
I see your point... it's like, if golf clubs didn't exist and we were starting completely from scratch, would we have ended up with a 'golf club' grip on our white canes? Or would the actual best or most ergonomic, optimal top of the came be different in some way(s)? That's such an interesting point, and I do wonder if anyone has like a bespoke or custom designed cane :-) Sad reality is that the expense of optimizing a cane is prob not worth it for most companies. We can't even get apps to invest in accessibility most times.
lil-alfalfa-sprout 2 points 1y ago
> I do wonder if anyone has like a bespoke or custom designed cane :-)
The NFB canes were designed by actual blind people.
The NFB canes were designed by actual blind people.
retrolental_morose 2 points 1y ago
It helps with sensation as the tip of the cane hits different textures etc, the vibrations travel up the shaft and are more easily felt when my finger is flat along the edge. It's also easier to make the appropriate sweeping, swinging motion - if your finger is across the top for instance, you lose quite a bit of control and my hand feels awkward.
Aggressive-Yoghurt31 1 points 1y ago
it is very simple try moving the cane to the left without having the index finger extended, then tried with the index finger extended it just helps with the motion
KillerLag 5 points 1y ago
By extending the index finger along the flat side, you basically turn the cane into a extension of the finger itself. There are two primary reasons. One, it can help increase sensation for some people. Two, it can also help with flexion (bending the wrist towards the body) when scanning.
However, some people find it uncomfortable to keep the index finger extended in such a manner, so they prefer to wrap all five fingers around the cane handle.
Golf grip is a legacy issue, the original canes used old golf grips and the design has largely stuck around. I'm not sure if Ambutech the handles themselves or if they're ordered from a golf manufacturing company, but they are at least customized (Ambutech on the end cap and a hole in it).
However, some people find it uncomfortable to keep the index finger extended in such a manner, so they prefer to wrap all five fingers around the cane handle.
Golf grip is a legacy issue, the original canes used old golf grips and the design has largely stuck around. I'm not sure if Ambutech the handles themselves or if they're ordered from a golf manufacturing company, but they are at least customized (Ambutech on the end cap and a hole in it).
Laurax-1994 4 points 1y ago
I’m a fan of the nfb canes. You can point your pointer finger wherever you like
PrincessDie123 2 points 1y ago
I hold my thumb against the flat side, it also helps a little when trying to prop it against a wall but mostly it’s about grip preference. I was told by O&M that I could change my grip as I pleaded for comfort, control, and sensation so I could experiment with my preferences.
DHamlinMusic 2 points 1y ago
You talking about the cork handles?
Fredchasing475 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
No I’m talking about the grips that look just like golf club grips, with one side flat. Made usually out of leather or fake leather. Like on Ambutech or Revolution canes
DHamlinMusic 4 points 1y ago
Oh, I am always told to keep my index finger on the flat, so it does have a point at least for constant contact.
morningafternooneven 2 points 1y ago
Helps with scanning the cane? Index finger on flat gives more control?
BaBaBroke 1 points 1y ago
Ergonomics, the way it fits into the hand. My ambutech has interchangable tips that roll on the ground so they can have that grip. The tips will not get worn down and flattened in one spot on them but they would on a nfb cane since the top does not roll.
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