How To Avoid Golf Injuries
The postponed 149th Open Championship was recently held at Royal St Georges Golf Club. Golf fans were able to watch some of the world’s top golfers play. And now, we can enjoy the men’s and women’s Olympic Golf competitions that start on 28th July!
Golf has always been a much-loved sport, but recently it has undergone a surge in popularity. In fact, England also has the most golf courses in Europe - a total 1,872. A staggering 2.3 million new golfers visited courses in 2020 - with it being one of the few socially distant sports that was permitted.
While the sport offers a great range of benefits, it also comes with several risks. Injuries are common in golf, but there are ways to avoid them. Here, we will look at the benefits the sport can provide, and how you can avoid golf-related injuries.
The top benefits of playing golf
Playing golf can deliver a lot of great benefits in terms of your health and wellbeing. Just some of the main benefits you can expect include:
It gets you outdoors
Boosting your brain and concentration
It’s great for the heart
Relieving stress and boosting mental health
Better weight management
The fact that golf gets you outdoors ensures you get a healthy level of Vitamin D. The sport forces you to focus on accuracy and encourages creative thinking. Your hand-eye coordination will also improve, while repeated swings help to build up muscle memory.
As it gets your circulation pumping, you’ll also find it offers great heart health benefits. It is also one of the more relaxing sports for many people, helping to reduce stress and improve your mental health.
Common golfing injuries
As beneficial as golf can be, there are some common injuries to watch out for. These include;
Knee pain - you are most at risk of a knee injury at the start of a swing, when strain is placed upon the weak knee as the hip rotates.
Back pain - caused by rotational stress. The spine and the back muscles are under a lot of pressure during a golf swing. Golfers also tend to spend a lot of their time bent over, carrying out repetitive movements.
Elbow Tendinitis can affect the inner or outer tendons of the elbow. If it affects the outer tendons, it is referred to as tennis elbow. When it affects the inner tendon, it is referred to as golfers’ elbow. The condition causes inflammation and irritation of the tissue.
These are just some of the common injuries to be aware of. The question is, how can you prevent them?
How can you prevent a golf injury?
While you may not be able to prevent all golf injuries, there are some preventative measures you can take.
Making sure you warm up properly prior to playing the sport will help. Focusing on the technique of your swing can also help to prevent repetitive injuries. Aim for a controlled, smooth swing.
Carrying a bag of clubs puts a lot of stress on your upper body, especially as you are carrying it around the course for many hours. By using an electric or push trolley, you can take away the strain of carrying your clubs around the course.
Ensure that you have all the refreshments you need to stay well fed and hydrated for the day. Also a good reason to use a trolley so you don’t have to carry this extra weight.
There are some great exercises and drills for golfers on this website here.
If you plan on playing golf frequently, and would like help with an exercise plan that will help you to prevent injury, book a consultation with us. We can carry out a biomechanical analysis and create an effective plan to build your strength, so you can take your golf to the next level!
If you’re worried about an injury you have sustained in golf, give us a call on 02030 12 12 22 to book an appointment with one of our specialist physios.
