When many people think of high-risk exercises, they usually don’t picture golf. But the truth is, even a sport like golf that doesn’t entail a high level of aerobic activity still can cause strain-based injuries, especially if the participants don’t have their mechanics nailed down.
A new report out of North Carolina focuses on how golfers can improve those mechanics so that their bodies can be free from pain. The advice is important to understand not just for safety purposes, but also for competitive purposes. If your body feels good while you golf, your score will probably drop too.
If you’re a professional golfer, or even a recreational one, any movement that occurs on a regular basis is going to put you at risk of a repetitive motion injury. Your muscles can get sore even if your actions are exactly what they should be. But if there’s anything about your stance or swing that’s just a little bit off, you could exacerbate an injury.
Injuries to the elbow are the most common for golfers, but there are ways to get around the threat and recover should an injury take place. An elbow hazard most typically derives from an inability to swing the club properly. A good golfing instructor should be able to set you up in a way that doesn’t put unnecessary pressure on your joints. That will likely mean adopting a swing that doesn’t cause you to twist your arms in an unnatural fashion. You’ll also help yourself by following through on a swing rather than stopping mid-motion. You should let momentum work for you rather than against you.
Your back is also privy to injury if your’e not careful. Again, it’s all in your swing. The hip facing toward the path of the shot should pivot when you swing. This also allows you to keep your spine limber. Rather than hunch over, try to extend your spine. Think of it as a spring; there’s limited range of movement when compressed, but when extended, it allows you more freedom to develop a healthy swing.
Wrists are also prone to injury on many golfers, and like elbows, preventing injury rests in how you hold the club and how you twist your hands as you’re pulling through a swing.
You can promote health in each of these areas by taking golf seriously as a sport. Stretching can get your entire body ready for the activity, but far too few people will stretch the way they would if they were preparing for some other strenuous activity. You should also invest in equipment that suits your particular frame, and if you ever suffer an injury, speak with a doctor to learn the best techniques for ushering you back into the game. You don't want to compromise something like spinal fusion recovery simply because you attempted to return to activity too quickly.
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