Tiger Woods does not expect to be able to swing a club for another five months.
In a blog on his official website, the world number one spoke about his ongoing rehabilitation but offered no timetable for his return to competition.
"As far as swinging a club, that's not going to happen until next year," Woods said.
"I just don't have a choice. We simply don't know what type of swelling there would be or if there would be any residual effects the next day once you start wheeling and dealing on the knee.
"Everyone's body reacts differently. I could putt right now, but I'm not going to do it.
"I don't know what the doctors are going to tell me about playing golf down the road."
Woods is recovering from reconstructive surgery on his left knee. He had the operation on June 24, only eight days after he won the US Open in a dramatic play-off with Rocco Mediate.
Woods was also playing with two stress fractures in his left tibia.
In the blog, Woods said he has begun riding an exercise bike as he steps up his rehabilitation.
However, he admitted that he needs to do more than just heal his leg before he can return to playing.
"Initially, I probably lost about 10 pounds because I wasn't working out," he said.
"All of that was muscle. I've put about two pounds back on, but I'm still pretty light."
Woods played in only six PGA Tour events this year, winning four. However, he was unable to defend his PGA Championship, an event that was won by Open winner Padraig Harrington.
"As a two-time defending PGA champion, it was a lot more frustrating not to be competing and that hurts the most," Woods said.
"The thing I miss the most about not competing is the fight. I've gone through this experience before, so I knew what I was in for. I know I'm in no condition to beat anybody right now, so I don't have a problem with not being able to compete."
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