Updated on May 2nd, 2022 at 11:48 am

Golf has become one of the most popular sports in the world today. A lot of people now enjoy the game. Some engage in it professionally as a competition. Others play golf as a means of having fun and socializing.

Regardless of the level at which you play golf or any sport in general, an injury is inevitable. Golf may be a gentleman’s sport. However, it requires a lot of muscle engagement. Injuries are, therefore, unavoidable in the game of golf.

A golf swing can be complicated, even for an experienced golfer. The coordinated series of motions required to execute a golf swing correctly can make it get a little messy. Golf injuries can result either from implementing poorly or hitting an obstacle like a stone or tree root and overuse of a single technique.

Different Types of Golf Injuries

There are many various injuries one can suffer from while playing golf. From the feet to the lower back and other parts of the body, injuries can occur anywhere while playing golf. The most common injuries that affect golfers are sprains, fractures (broken bones), and Tendonitis. Let’s consider some of the most common golf injuries.

common golf injuries lower backInjuries to the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands account for a significant percentage of injuries sustained while playing golf. The bulk of these injuries occur to the left side of the body. Gender can also play a role. Skilled female golfers are significantly at risk of sustaining wrist and hand injuries. This amounts to about one-third of injuries suffered by female golfers. Male golfers suffer less from this kind of injury.

Golf Injuries Among Newbies and Amateurs

One issue synonymous with amateur golfers as well as new golfers is a golf injury. It is nothing of a surprise because the general thinking is that knowing how to swing a golf club is enough to keep you safe. The truth is if you do not have enough flexibility in your joints and muscles, you are prone to injuries that often occur while swinging a golf club.

  • Sprains and Ligament injuries: This injury happens on the wrist of the golfers. Sprains and ligament injuries are often characterized by sharp pain and popping in the wrist or hand.
  • Fracture of the Hamate Bone: This type of injury occurs when the club strikes an obstacle like the ground, a stone, or tree root. When this happens, the handle of the club is forced against the hands’ bony hook. The bone can break, causing pain at the heel of the hand.
  • Golfer’s Elbow: Golfer’s Elbow also “Medial Epicondylitis.” This is very painful tendonitis at the elbow where the muscles are bending the fingers and wrist attach. The more common Epicondylitis with golfers is that on the outer aspect of the elbow.
  • Damaged blood vessels: Broken blood vessels can result from the handle of the club repeatedly striking the palm. An injury can occur to one of the main arteries of the hand. This happens when the repeated hitting causes weakness to the walls causing it to swell or clot. The medical name for this condition is known as “Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome” and is characterized by disruption of blood flow, severe pain in hand, to the fingertips, color changes and numbness in the fingers.
    Other injuries that can occur while playing golf include injuries to the back, resulting from the constant swinging of the club, muscle tears among a host of other injuries.

First-Aid Treatment for Golf Injuries

If you get injured while playing golf, the following can help take away the pain:

  • Rest: This is perhaps the most natural first aid measure. Do not try to play through pain. If you start feeling uneasy and uncomfortable while playing the beautiful game, your best option is to sit and rest for a while. If the pain gets severe, stop playing, and if it’s a competition, it is advisable to pull out of it.
  • Ice and anti-inflammatory medicines: if you feel severe pain in your hand, use an ice block to massage the area. You can make use of a spray relief as well. You can also take anti-inflammatory medications to help you prevent the area from swelling.
  • If the pain persists, your doctor might recommend Cortisone Injections to reduce the pain in the area. For some severe conditions, surgical operations may be needed or wrist casting for fractures.

How to Avoid or Minimize the Risk of Golfing Injuries

Golf is physically demanding and requires energy as well as muscular movements. You need to take proper time into exercising as well as proper muscle development. This will help you to not only minimize the risks of injuries while playing golf; it will also help you learn how to execute a golf swing correctly.
Thanks to technology, we can easily download videos and train ourselves without having to employ the services of a professional trainer. If you are playing golf on your own or for recreational purposes, this should be an excellent option for you.

It is also a great idea to warm-up for at least 20 minutes before every round. Your muscles would be better relaxed and prepared for the strenuous activity of hitting the golf ball around the course. The exercises don’t have to be tedious. Just brisk walking for 20 minutes should be enough exercise. A few static stretches and bending would help a whole lot.

Your health should be of importance to you. You don’t need to play golf at a professional level to suffer from some of the most common injuries. Golf injuries get in the way of your game. Regardless of the reason you play golf, either as a professional sport or for relaxation, always ensure you are injury-free. In conclusion, the most effective preventive measure against golf injuries is regular exercise. If you want to incorporate some exercise and golf, you can always walk during your next round compared to riding around in a golf cart.  We have reviewed several Golf push carts and can recommend a great one for your next round.

Make sure your body is at an optimum level by exercising regularly. Make sure to have a memorable time on the Golf course and don’t allow anything to get in your way, or stop you from enjoying the beautiful game of golf.

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