While golf may not be a contact sport, one in five golfers will sustain an injury each year. If you are shocked by that figure, don’t be. The reason it is so high is that golf is a sport that involves extremely repetitive movements, which can lead to a whole host of issues, overuse injuries being one of the most common. In this blog, we will look at the causes behind 5 of the most common golf injuries.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain in golfers usually occurs as a result of either their swing or their posture when lining up a shot. The repetitive motions of the swing can cause the tendons in our shoulders to become inflamed, so the more often you play, the more likely it is to occur. Making sure to stretch the muscles, such as by using resistance bands, is key to staving off these sorts of injuries. It is also important to avoid spending too much time hunched over, and ensure that you are swinging correctly.
Golfer’s Elbow
Starting off with the most obvious, golfer’s elbow is a result of the inflammation of the tendons on the inside of the elbow. This occurs as a result of gripping the club, and is characterised by pain on the inside of the elbow, particularly when touched. Avoid gripping the club too forcefully, and make sure to stretch the muscles to loosen them up a bit. If golfers elbow is still an issue, an Elbow Compression Strap can be used to prevent the tendons from becoming damaged
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is the most common injury suffered by golfers every year, and possibly the one that will impact your game the most. Lower back pain occurs in golfers because of the actual swinging of the club itself, particularly with the reverse angle swing. Fortunately, lower back pain of this kind can usually be treated with heat pads and a bit of exercise. Unfortunately, if you are experiencing lower back pain as a result of your swing, it more than likely means you are swinging wrong, in which case a professional golf trainer may need to teach you how to swing in such a way as to prevent this kind of injury from recurring.
Knee Pain
Knee pain is a very common problem in golfers not only because of the repetitive motions golfing entails, but also because of the fact that they bear a considerable amount of weight when preparing a shot. A major issue with knee pain is that is can put our legs out of action entirely, which then also affects the muscles in the rest of our legs. The best way to prevent this is to make sure to work out your thighs and hamstrings, which will mean your knees are doing more than the actions involved in swinging, and will help you deal with the weight placed on them when playing.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the ligament that runs from our toes to our heels. This occurs in golfers primarily for two reasons: walking, and improper footwear. Fortunately, both of these are easy to address, and the issue can usually be resolved by either buying new shoes, or possibly orthotics. It is also the perfect excuse for treating yourself to a golf cart instead of walking.
Although about 20% of golfers suffer some type of injury every year, the majority of these are easily preventable by ensuring that your golfing activities are supported by other physical exercise too. Remember, no athlete prepares for their sport by practicing only that sport. Supplementary exercise is crucial to maintaining a healthy body, and preventing injuries that can easily be avoided.