The most common golf injuries

Golf is a highly competitive sport for some and a popular recreational activity for many others. It offers real social and health benefits, but it also places repeated stress on the body. The golf swing involves rotation, power, balance, coordination, and control, so it is not unusual for golfers to develop pain through overuse, poor mechanics, reduced mobility, or sudden increases in practice volume.

If you play regularly, understanding the common golf injuries can help you spot problems early, reduce your risk of time away from the course, and keep your body moving well.

Quick summary

• Low back pain is one of the most common golf injuries due to repeated rotation and loading through the spine.
• Hip impingement can develop when hip mobility is poor and the body cannot rotate efficiently through the swing.
• Wrist tendon problems often occur when the wrists absorb too much load during impact or the swing path is inefficient.
• Shoulder pain is common when there is tightness, poor shoulder blade control, or overload of the rotator cuff.
• Elbow tendinopathy can be triggered by repeated impact, grip issues, or a sudden jump in workload.
• The best prevention plan usually includes mobility work, strength training, swing efficiency, and sensible load management.

The 5 most common golf injuries

Golf injuries can affect players of all ages and skill levels. Some happen suddenly, but many build up over time from repeated stress. Below are some of the most common golf injuries we see.

Low back pain

• Low back pain is probably the most common injury affecting golfers.
• It often develops due to repeated flexion, rotation, and compression through the lower back during the swing.
• This can increase load on the discs, facet joints, and surrounding muscles.
• Poor hip mobility or limited trunk control can force the lower back to do more work than it should.
• To help prevent injury, work on setting up with a neutral spine, maintaining good core support, and improving hip function so the legs generate more of the power.

Hip impingement

• Hip pain, including hip impingement, can occur when the joint does not move well through rotation.
• In right-handed golfers, left-sided anterior hip impingement may develop when the hip adductors, flexors, and external rotators become tight.
• This can push the femoral head forwards and increase compression in the front of the joint.
• Restricted hip movement can also affect swing mechanics and place added stress on the back and pelvis.
• To help prevent injury, maintain good hip mobility with targeted stretching and improve glute strength to better support rotation and stability.

Wrist tendinosis

• Wrist tendon pain can develop when the swing is not well supported by the legs and trunk.
• If the swing is off-plane, more rotational stress can be transferred through the wrists, leading to tendon overload.
• Repeated impact, poor technique, and gripping too tightly can all contribute.
• This type of pain often builds gradually rather than appearing all at once.
• To help prevent injury, use better total-body movement to keep the club on plane and reduce unnecessary rotation and strain across the wrist.

Shoulder pain

• Shoulder pain is another one of the more common golf injuries, especially in players with poor upper body mobility or control.
• The golf swing can create posterior shoulder tightness, which may affect movement quality and lead to rotator cuff overload or impingement.
• Poor shoulder blade control can also change the way force travels through the arm during the swing.
• Over time, this may lead to pain during the backswing, follow-through, or even everyday activities.
• To help prevent injury, maintain shoulder flexibility and build good strength in the shoulder blade muscles and rotator cuff.

Elbow tendinopathies

• Elbow tendinopathies are common in golfers and usually develop from repeated overload rather than a single incident.
• They can occur after repeated impact with hard ground, using a grip that is too small, or increasing practice or play volume too quickly.
• Both the inside and outside of the elbow can be affected depending on how the forces travel through the forearm.
• These injuries often need reduced load and a structured strengthening approach rather than complete rest alone.
• To help prevent injury, make sure your grip size suits your hand, avoid excessive forearm tension, manage workload properly, and practise on softer ground where possible. Using a tee peg during practice can also help reduce impact stress.

Why golf injuries happen

Most golf injuries are not caused by golf alone. They usually develop because of a combination of factors, such as:

• Poor mobility through the hips, thoracic spine, or shoulders
• Reduced strength and stability
• Swing mechanics that overload one area repeatedly
• A sudden increase in practice, play, or range sessions
• Insufficient recovery between rounds or training
• Equipment issues, including grip size or club fit

When one area is stiff or weak, another area often has to compensate. Over time, that can lead to irritation, overload, and pain.

How to prevent common golf injuries

Preventing common golf injuries is not just about stretching before a round. It usually involves improving how your body moves and how well it handles the load of golf.

• Improve hip, trunk, and shoulder mobility
• Build core, glute, shoulder, and forearm strength
• Work on swing efficiency with your coach
• Increase workload gradually rather than suddenly
• Check grip size and club fit
• Allow enough recovery between practice and play

How Lilyfield Physio can help

Golfers often focus on equipment and club membership but overlook their most important asset, their physical wellbeing.

At Lilyfield Physiotherapy, we assess the body demands behind your swing, identify movement restrictions or strength deficits, and help you address the real cause of pain. We also encourage clients to undertake exercise such as Golf Pilates, and we can liaise with your coach to help develop a more efficient golf swing.

Meet Kam Bhabra

Kam Bhabra is the premier golf physio in Sydney and spent nearly 10 years on the professional circuit working with players such as Justin Rose. He was also a member of the 2008 Ryder Cup medical team and has worked with some of the best players and coaches in the world.

Kam has also toured with Justin Rose, including the 2018 Indonesian Masters, giving him extensive experience in managing the demands of golf at the highest level.