Golf Injuries

Golf is a not only a really competitive sport, but enjoyed recreationally by many people. There is a wide range of benefits both socially and health wise to be gained from participating in golf. However, injuries do occur and it is really important to try and avoid these injuries whether they are acute or from overuse

Common golfing injuries

Low back pain

• Probably the most common injury to affect golfers
• Injury occurs due to repetitive flexion and rotation in the low back
• This results in increased load on discs and facet joints
• To prevent injury enable a neutral spine in set up with good core support
• Improve your hip function using the legs to create power

Hip Impingement

• Left sided anterior hip impingement in right handed golfers can occur with tightening of the hip adductors, flexors and external rotator muscles
• This will push the head of the femur forwards causing impingement
• To prevent injury maintain good mobility in the hip joint with targeted stretching
• Develop good gluteal muscle strength

Wrist Tendonosis

• Tends to occur when the arm swing is not well supported by leg muscle activity
• When the swing is off plane more rotation is placed across the wrist causing overload of the tendons
• To prevent injury work with total body movement to keep the club on plane, reducing rotation across the wrist

Shoulder pain

• The mechanics of the golf swing often causes posterior shoulder tightness
• This leads to dysfunction / impingement of the Rotator Cuff muscles
• To prevent injury maintain shoulder flexibility and good shoulder blade and Rotator Cuff muscle strength

Elbow Tendinopathies

• Tendinopathies often occur due to repeated impacting of the golf club on hard ground, the grip being too small or a sudden increased workload
• Typical tendon lesions often need some rest by reducing workload
• To prevent injury customise your grip to ensure that there is not too much tension in the forearms
• Adjust workload and practise on softer ground. Try using a tee peg when practising

How Lilyfield Physio can help!

Golfers often focus on equipment and club membership but neglect their most important asset, their physical well-being.

At Lilyfield Physiotherapy, we encourage clients to undertake exercise such as Golf Pilates and we will liaise with your coach to develop a more efficient golf swing.

Kam Bhabra

KAM BHABRA is our golf expert spending nearly ten years on the professional circuit working players such as Justin Rose and being a Member of the 2008 Ryder Cup medical team. He has been privileged to work with some of the best players and coaches in the world.

Kam has recently been on tour with Justin Rose for the 2018 Indonesian Masters.