Golf is a Game of Recovery

Golf is a sport that takes patience, diligence, and precision. Priority is not placed on the max a golfer can bench (their strength) or the pace at which they can run (their speed and endurance) like a majority of other sports. It is in the ability of the golfer to allow the club to do the work, to relax in their stance, and keep their eyes on the ball. Golf takes practice. The best golfers start at a young age and practice, practice, and practice. This is the reason that one of the greatest causes of injuries in golfers is overuse.

Overuse injuries occur over time. They are caused by repetitive motion. The most common overuse injuries for golfers are injuries in the joints, muscles, and tendons of a golfer’s back, shoulders, and elbows. Studies show that 44 percent of injuries in youth golfers are due to overuse. Children and adults are more prone to injury if they are not flexible, in bad condition, practice and play an extreme amount, do not use the correct form, or hit the ground often. Studies have indicated that the number of times a golfer hits a ball is directly correlated to the number of injuries that golfer has.

Acute injuries generally occur when a golfer does not use the correct technique. It is an injury that happens at one moment, but takes days, weeks, or even months to recover from. A golfer using the wrong form, hitting the ground too hard, or carrying their bag incorrectly can cause this type of injury.

The greatest factor causing golfers to face overuse or acute injuries is a lack of flexibility. Studies show that the majority of golfers (80%) take less than 10 minutes to warm up and stretch before a round of golf. Those who did not warm up had double the amount of injuries than those who did. This is also the easiest, most practical way for a golfer to prevent injury. Increase flexibility and decrease the amount of injuries. A golfer should also ensure that their techniques are correct. If their form is wrong, they greatly increase their risk of injury.