Outsmart Golf Injuries

Golf is considered as a sedentary game but surprisingly the injury rate is approximately 60 % (every season) and for most of these injuries incorrect golf swings are to be blamed. A golf swing usually involves a huge trunk swing and the player is required to move both the shoulders in different ways - all at high speeds. Compared to amateur golfers, professionals are better conditioned to execute these motions and therefore they suffer from fewer numbers of injuries. However, both amateurs and professionals equally suffer from certain types of injuries while playing on the public or private golf courses.

Golfers, while playing on the public or private golf course are usually bothered by problems like golfer's elbow and tennis injury. Tennis elbow takes place when there is soreness and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow. The pain, when occurs on the part of the right elbow is known as golfer's injury. For prevention of these two types of injury, a player can consider the following tips-

• Using low compression golf balls and graphite shafts is advisable because they are known to reduce elbow strain at impact.

• Practicing on the turf of the public or private golf course is better as compared to practicing on the rubber mats.

• Do not put too much pressure on the grip and the elbows during the golf swing.

• While executing the back-swing, avoid switching to the downswing too abruptly.

• Never release the hand suddenly at the top of the back-swing

Back pain is one of the most common injuries that are faced by golfers. Performing a golf swing puts a great stress on the back and this is the reason why so many golfers experience this particular type of injury. Back pain can be of different types (arthritis pain, mechanical back pain etc) and possible remedies would include proper rest, medication, surgery, therapy etc. In addition, one must consider the following tips-

• It is advisable to use correct back mechanics while lifting the golf bag.

• Squatting would be a good idea when the golfer is retrieving the ball on the public or private golf course.

• The back-swing can be slowed down to reduce the rotational stress that is usually put on the lower back.

• Be careful to shift the body weight to the right foot when the back-swing takes place. Also, make sure that at the top of the back-swing, the shoulders and the arms do not move out of the plane of the golf swing.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is another issue that bothers the golfers. Fingers become numb and hands clumsy and weak. For getting rid of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, one can take note of the following suggestions.

• Regularly replace the club handle grips. One can also consider softer or larger grips.

• Avoid pressurizing the club handle.

• Regularly replace the club handle grips. One can also consider softer or larger grips.

• Avoid pressurizing the club handle.

Shoulder pain accounts for 8-12 percent of the golfing injuries. The interesting fact is that left shoulders are more prone to injuries in a right-handed golfer. Apart from taking help of medicines, surgeries etc, golfers should remember the following tips-

• The shoulder and the scapular muscles must always remain flexible.

• Avoid putting too much pressure on the shoulders. One way to do this is to slow down the pace of the back-swing.

Knee pain is also a common injury faced by golfers while delivering a shot in the public or private golf course. Symptoms include pain in the knees, swelling and these are increased by activities like walking, twisting, squatting etc. To avoid knee pain, golfers can start using spike-less shoes (many private golf courses allow only such shoes) which will reduce the stress that is being put on the knees. It is a good idea to avoid full swinging prematurely after one has experienced knee surgery or injury.