Golf Putting Occupation Based Kit
Scott Biskup Fall 2014
Description of Activity
I designed this golf kit due to the client identifying golf as a meaningful occupation.
The client has a few clubs and would chip balls around the yard in the spring and
summer. However, the client was not able to do anything with golf once the
weather got cold. That is why I designed this putting kit because it is a golf activity
that can be performed indoors during the winter months. I also adapted the putter
with a rubber suction cup to pick up balls because the client complained that back
pain limited his performance in this treasured leisure activity. This way with the
suction cup putter the client does not have to bend over to pick up the balls and
aggravate his back pain. Also the client can transfer this suction cup to his other
clubs in the spring and summer to help pick up the balls he hits in the yard. This kit
is intended to help mimic the leisure occupation of playing golf specifically the
activity of putting. The kit includes two kinds of holes to put at 5 golf balls two of
which are bright colors for those with visual deficits, a putter with an adapted
suction cup at the end to make the act of picking the balls up easier.
Materials
1 Putter
1 Adaptive suction cup device that attaches to putter to help pick balls up off floor
1 Bright Yellow Ball
1 bright Pink Ball
3 White Balls
1 difficult mock putting hole (This one has a lip on it making it more difficult)
2 easy mock putting holes (These ones are flat which makes them easier to putt
into)
Cost
All items were donated from my parents basement.
Instructions For Implementation
Mock holes should be places about 10 to 15 feet away from client. Client should
then be instructed to use the putter and try and hit the ball into the hole that is on
the opposite side of the room. Client can try and hit one ball into the hole at a time
and move with the one ball they hit until they get it in the hole. Also client could hit
all 5 balls from one end of the room into the mock hole on the other side of the
room. Client will be shown how to pick up balls utilizing the adaptive suction cup on
the end of the club.
Performance Issues Addressed
Cognition- Works on ability to follow simple directions by way of following the
directions given of hitting all 5 balls or just hitting one ball into the mock putting
hole.
Motor Skills- Works on the gross and fine motor skills that are required to
grip/manipulate the putter, calibrating the required force to get the ball to the hole,
static standing balance, reaching, bending over, client must align and position self
properly to line up their putts, the task requires coordination and ambulating from
one side of the room to the other.
Process Skills: Client must initiate task and begin the next action or step to
complete the process, if obstacles are placed in the way the client must be able to
sequence their actions to get the ball around them, client must search and locate the
balls, must be able to handle the tool of the putter efficiently and the client must
attend to the task at hand in order to complete it.
Leisure- This activity incorporates a meaningful leisure activity the client enjoys
doing.
Sensory Functions- This activity works challenges vestibular functions related to
position and balance, it also challenge proprioceptive functions of the client’s
awareness of their body in space.
Communication and Social Skills- This activity could be done in a group setting to
help work on communication and social skills between the members participating.
They would have to work together and take turns during the activity.
Emotional Regulation Skills- This activity could potentially be challenging to the
client and could be frustrating for them if they are unable to complete certain tasks
associated with it. They must learn to keep their emotions in check in order to
complete the activity.
Activity Modification
To grade this activity up the more difficult mock putting hole with a lip could be
used. To Grade it down the white mock putting holes could be used which are
flatter and easier to putt in to.
To grade the activity up obstacles could be placed in front of the holes that would
require the client to sequence and plan each of their putts to get around these
obstacles and into the desired hole.
For those with visual deficits who may have a hard time seeing a white ball the two
brightly colored yellow and pink balls could be used.
To grade the activity down the client could use the adaptive suction cup to retrieve
all the balls from the floor. To grad the activity up you could remove the suction cup
and make the client reach and bend over to pick up the balls.
To make it easier you could stay on the one side of the room where they are putting
to and take all their golf balls back to them. To make it more difficult you could
make them retrieve their own golf balls and have them ambulate back and forth
after they putt all the balls.
Verbal and physical cueing could be used to make the activity easier for the client.
You could physically line up their puts for them instead of making them line
themselves up.
Contraindications
Lack of fine motor and gross motor control needed to manipulate the objects in this
kit. Inability to stand without the use of an assistive device.
Picture of Occupation Based Kit
Golf Putting Kit
Adaptive Suction Cup