Millions of individuals with limited grip strength, arthritis, neurological impairments, or upper-limb mobility challenges cannot fully participate in recreational golf due to difficulty maintaining a stable wrist-to-club connection during putting. Conventional golf equipment relies heavily on hand strength and fine motor control, creating accessibility barriers that reduce independence in adaptive sports. We developed an Adaptive Forearm-Mounted Golf Putter Attachment designed to stabilize the putter using forearm motion rather than grip strength alone, enabling controlled, repeatable putting for users with limited hand function.
We integrated a commercial forearm brace with a custom 3D-printed PLA+ structural clip that securely interfaces with a standard putter shaft. This semi-rigid clip mechanically couples the club to the forearm, limiting shaft rotation, maintaining consistent wrist alignment, and reducing reliance on finger strength. An open ergonomic finger-rest feature provides a tactile alignment cue while preserving natural hand movement. The system is lightweight, strap-adjustable, and may be donned in under one minute.
Iterative prototyping and stakeholder feedback guided refinements that improved comfort, ease of use, and alignment support while eliminating the need for screws, tools, or significant assistance. Our key design goals included high grip stability, safe surface pressures, durability over repeated use, and low-cost manufacturability.
Our device addresses a significant gap in adaptive golf equipment by providing an affordable, portable, and user-centered solution that preserved traditional putting mechanics. By enhancing independence and accessibility, this project supports inclusive participation in recreational golf for individuals with upper-limb impairments.