Starting Over: Max Togisala on What It Takes to Return to Golf After Paralysis

Max Togisala was on his way to play college golf when his life changed in an instant. A T12 paraplegic, he faced a devastating prognosis that went beyond losing the ability to walk.

"I remember a doctor told me that I wasn't going to be able to play golf again," Max recalls. "When he said that, I was definitely heartbroken. Still to this day, I feel bad for those people if they have to go through that, and then to hear a doctor say that—it really sucks."

Three years later, Max is a three-time national champion in adaptive golf. But the path from that hospital bed to the winner's circle wasn't a straight line. For golfers considering adaptive equipment—or families trying to help loved ones return to the game—Max's experience offers a candid look at what those first months actually require.

The Learning Curve Nobody Talks About

When Max first started using the VertaCat, optimism quickly met reality.

"It was definitely a hard learning curve, especially where I was before," he explains. "I played golf my whole life. I was a really good golfer, and that learning curve was kind of like starting over again. It was hard some days."

The mechanics alone took time—learning how the device drives, how it performs on greens, in bunkers, on hills. Then there was the swing itself, which required complete reimagining.

"The swing was very different, but it was a good different and I've definitely improved since then," Max says. But improvement didn't come without struggle. "I definitely had some moments where I was like, 'I don't know if I want to do this.' I was definitely challenged through that aspect."

What kept him going? "I have a very big passion for the game and nothing will really ever stop me from playing it."

Finding Your Own Path Forward

For families researching adaptive golf equipment, one of Max's most important insights is that there's no universal approach. His experience as a T12 paraplegic allows him certain advantages that others might not have.

"I have a lot of my core, so for my swing mechanics, I can hold onto the club with both of my hands and be able to do a full swing," he explains. "Some people, their disability limits them and they have to swing with one hand."

This isn't about achieving perfection or replicating the golfer you were before. It's about rediscovering the game on new terms. "Golf's a big mental game too," Max notes. "Just going out there and enjoying the game is more important than the scores."

The Practical Challenges: Navigating Golf Courses

Beyond the physical learning curve, there's the practical matter of actually getting on courses. Max is fortunate to own his personal VertaCat, which he transports in a minivan. But he realizes not all adaptive golfers have this luxury.

"If I didn't have a VertaCat, I would definitely call around to courses and see if they have any mobility devices," he advises. "If they have a VertaCat, see if it's available to use that day. And if they don't, I would recommend telling them about the VertaCat—tell them your disability, that you're in a wheelchair, you're unable to play golf from your wheelchair or with your disability, and you need a mobility device to help you with that."

When Max arrives at courses, reactions typically fall into one of two categories: curiosity or confusion. "They are most of the time interested in what's going on. They're very curious about it," he says. "I like that, because they're just wanting to know more about the game and about adaptive golf. Most people don't know about adaptive golf and people in wheelchairs, so it's good for them to get a perspective of a little bit about my life and people with disabilities."

Addressing the Greens Concern

For golf course operators—and golfers who worry about being allowed on greens—Max points to recent research that should ease concerns.

"The USGA did a study about all mobility devices—including the VertaCat—and they say that it's no different from a footmark on the green," he explains. "You see footmarks on the green, and at the end of the day they're basically gone."

Yes, the equipment weighs considerably more than a person. "But the tracks don't affect the ball, and as long as you're driving safely on the greens with the mobility device, then everything would be fine and the greens would not be damaged."

What You Can't Put a Price On

Purchasing a VertaCat is a significant investment, a reality Max acknowledges directly. But when asked about the cost, his perspective shifts immediately to value.

"They seriously make me happy," he says simply. "Whenever I'm struggling or going through a bad day and I want to go golfing and I can—I can't express how much joy that brings me. No money will ever pay for that."

For Max, the return on investment is measured in moments that matter. "The memories that I'm going to have with my brother and my dad on the golf course—those are the things I'm not going to forget."

The equipment also opened doors beyond casual rounds. Since 2023, when Max first connected with the VertaCat team in Minnesota, he's competed in tournaments across the country, including the U.S. Adaptive Open.

"When they host the U.S. Adaptive Open tournament, that's a big opportunity for a lot of people that have a story and they have a chance to tell it," Max reflects. "The U.S. Adaptive Open is about sharing your story and inspiring people. It's not all about the competition and the golf. It's about meeting people and just enjoying those times and making memories."

When he first attended, few people knew him. Now, recognition comes with the territory. "I go to the U.S. Adaptive Open and I meet all these people and they already know me. It's kind of a crazy experience and I love it."

A Message for Anyone Hesitating

Max knows there are golfers sitting where he once sat—weighing whether attempting a return to the game is worth the emotional and financial investment. He won't sugarcoat the reality.

"It was definitely a hard learning curve," he admits. There were moments of doubt. Days when continuing felt harder than giving up.

But on the other side of that learning curve? A life he didn't think possible.

"That's what I'm trying to advocate for," Max says. "To showcase adaptive golf and life in a wheelchair and knowing that you can do anything that you put your mind to. The VertaCat has been life changing for me ever since 2023."

For families wondering if this is the right step for their loved one, or for individuals questioning whether they have what it takes, Max's story offers no false promises. The learning curve is real. The challenges are legitimate.

But so is the alternative—accepting that diagnosis, that limitation, that closed door.

"I was heartbroken in the hospital when they told me that I wasn't going to be able to walk again, that I wouldn't be able to do the things I did before," Max remembers. "I remember some doctor told me that I wasn't going to be able to play golf again."

That doctor was wrong.