Golf is a strenuous game and therefore causes high number of injuries. As we swing the golf club for taking a shot our muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints are stretched to their fullest extent. Therefore a wrong swing not only gives a poor score but also causes injury.

Common Golf Injuries

Golf injuries can broadly be divided into two - acute and cumulative. Acute injuries are those injuries that are caused by accidents on the course. Accidents happen ad hoc therefore and there is not much that you can do about them. They occur as the direct result of external force acting at a specific point in time. Common acute injuries are sprains in the ankle, wrist, shoulder, back etc.

Cumulative injuries are those that occur over a period of time mostly due to repetitive motion. The golf swing is a repetitive movement which exerts stress and strain on the same muscles repeatedly. Subsequently, these muscles become tired and are susceptible to golf related injuries. The best way to avoid cumulative injuries is to prevent them from happening. Proper exercise and warm ups before the game will prevent the minor mishaps that escalate into cumulative injuries owing to regular playing. Common cumulative injuries are back pain, pain in the knee, tendonitis or inflamed tendons common in amateurs, numbness in the fingers, pain in the arms etc. to name a few.

If you incur any acute or cumulative injury the first thing you have to do is stop playing. Take first-aid treatment and consult a doctor immediately. Golf injuries are not life-threatening ones, unless they injury is caused by a speeding golf ball. They just keep you out of action for some time because complete rest is the best medicine for any golf injury.

What causes injuries in golf?

Golf injuries are caused by various factors like wrong equipment, poor posture, and lack of physical fitness which makes it difficult for the body to withstand the demands of the game. These factors combined with the long duration of the game are the prime cause for golf injuries. Generally these factors affect only in the long run i.e. they cause cumulative injuries. Amateurs also face the risk of golf injuries due to certain factors like poor physical condition, overuse of muscles due to excessive practice and poor swing technique.

Prevention Of Golf Injuries

* Golf, like any other sport requires the player to warm up before playing. This will help the player improve performance and prevent common injuries.

* Regular exercise and stretching of the golf muscles will increase their flexibility and strengthen them. This will lessen the probability of injuries.

* Never overdo it. Adequate rest is essential.

* Faulty swings need to be corrected to lessen golf injuries.

* Also, play with standard equipment. Incorrect equipment will give poor results and also cause injuries.