Golf attracts millions of players across the UK. It’s often viewed as a low-impact sport that’s gentle on the body. However, the repetitive nature of the golf swing, combined with the forces generated during play, can lead to a variety of injuries.
Understanding common golf injuries is crucial for both prevention and treatment. Whether you’re a casual player enjoying a weekend round or someone who plays multiple times per week, recognising the signs and symptoms of golf-related injuries can help you maintain your game and overall well-being.
Learn more about the common golf injuries and how you can treat them in this article.
What Are Golfing Injuries?
Golfing injuries typically fall into two categories: acute injuries and overuse injuries. Acute injuries occur suddenly, often from a mishit shot where the club strikes a rigid object like a tree root or hard ground.
Overuse injuries develop gradually over time from the repetitive nature of the golf swing and cumulative stress placed on joints, muscles, and tendons. Poor swing mechanics, inadequate conditioning, or playing too frequently without proper recovery can accelerate these injuries.
The Hidden Physical Demands of Golf
While golf may appear gentle, many players underestimate the physical demands of walking the course. A typical 18-hole round involves approximately 14,000 steps and covers around 10 kilometres of walking, often over uneven terrain and slopes. For older golfers, this extensive walking can place significant stress on the lower limbs, particularly when combined with carrying or pulling golf equipment.
How Common Are Golf Injuries?
Golf injuries are more common than many players realise. Research suggests that amateur golfers experience injury rates between 15-20% annually, whilst professional golfers face even higher rates. Back injuries account for approximately 35% of all golf-related injuries.
Several high-profile professional golfers have faced significant injury setbacks. Tiger Woods has dealt with multiple back surgeries and knee problems. Jason Day has struggled with back issues that have affected his performance. Rory McIlroy has experienced rib injuries that have sidelined him from major tournaments.
Recovery times vary significantly depending on injury type and severity. Minor strains might resolve within days to a week. More serious conditions like disc problems can require weeks or months of rehabilitation.
Common Golf Injury Areas
1. Low Back Pain
Lower back pain represents the most frequently reported complaint among golfers. The golf swing creates significant rotational stress and compressive forces on the lumbar spine, magnified when players have limited hip mobility or poor swing mechanics.
Symptoms include aching or stiffness in the lower back, particularly after playing. Some golfers experience sharp pain during or after swinging. Pain may radiate into the buttocks or upper thighs. Common issues include lumbar muscle strains, herniated discs, and joint restrictions.
2. Elbow Injuries
Golf places significant stress on both the inner and outer aspects of the elbow through repetitive gripping and swinging motions.
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the tendons on the inner side of the elbow. Symptoms include pain and tenderness on the inner elbow that worsens with gripping activities or wrist movements.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) affects the outer elbow and is more common among golfers than many realise. This causes pain on the outside of the elbow that may radiate down the forearm. Learn more about the differences between tennis v golf elbow.
3. Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder complex endures significant stress during the golf swing, particularly during the backswing and follow-through phases.
Rotator cuff injuries are among the most common shoulder issues. Learn how to heal a torn rotator cuff naturally. Symptoms include pain deep in the shoulder, weakness when lifting the arm, and difficulty sleeping on the affected side. Impingement syndrome causes pain at the front and side of the shoulder that worsens with overhead movements.
4. Wrist and Hand Injuries
The wrists and hands absorb significant impact forces, especially when the club strikes the ground during mishit shots. The lead wrist is particularly vulnerable to injury.
Common problems include wrist sprains, tendinitis (tendinopathy), and carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, or stiffness in the wrist joints. Tingling or numbness in the fingers can indicate nerve involvement.
5. Knee Injuries
The rotational forces generated during the golf swing place considerable stress on the knee joints. The twisting motion, combined with weight transfer, can strain ligaments and cartilage structures. Additionally, the extensive walking involved in golf can exacerbate knee problems, particularly in older players.
Golfers may experience general knee pain, swelling, or stiffness that can worsen throughout the round due to the cumulative effect of walking and playing. More serious injuries can involve ACL or meniscus tears, causing significant pain, swelling, instability, or difficulty bearing weight.
6. Hip Injuries
Hip rotation is fundamental to an effective golf swing, but repetitive twisting motion can lead to overuse injuries, particularly in players with limited flexibility or strength. The prolonged walking associated with golf can also contribute to hip problems.
Hip pain typically develops gradually and may be felt in the groin, side of the hip, or buttock region. Stiffness and reduced range of motion are common symptoms that may worsen after extended periods of walking during play.
7. Foot and Ankle Injuries
Whilst less common than other golf injuries, foot pain and ankle problems can significantly impact stability and performance. The extensive walking component of golf places considerable stress on the feet and ankles, particularly for older golfers or those with pre-existing foot conditions.
Plantar fasciitis is increasingly common among golfers, causing heel pain that’s typically worse in the morning and can be aggravated by the prolonged walking on varied terrain. Achilles tendinitis results in pain and stiffness at the back of the ankle, often developing from the repetitive stress of walking combined with the push-off motion during the golf swing.
How To Prevent Golf Injury
Preventing golf injuries requires a comprehensive approach. Always begin with a thorough warm-up that includes light cardiovascular activity followed by dynamic stretching. Focus on movements that mimic the golf swing and spend at least 10-15 minutes warming up.
Developing proper swing mechanics is crucial for long-term injury prevention. Consider working with a qualified golf professional to ensure your technique is sound.
- Strengthen core muscles to provide stability during rotational movements
- Focus on shoulder and leg strengthening to support repetitive motions
- Maintain flexibility through regular stretching, particularly in the hips, shoulders, and spine
- Use appropriate equipment, including supportive footwear designed for golf
- Allow adequate rest and recovery between rounds to prevent overuse injuries
- Consider using a golf cart or trolley to reduce walking stress, particularly for older players or those with existing lower limb conditions
Common Golf Injury Treatments
Early intervention is key when dealing with golf injuries. Many minor issues can be managed effectively with simple home treatments when addressed promptly.
Rest is often the first and most important treatment step. Applying ice to acute injuries can help reduce pain and inflammation, whilst heat may be beneficial for muscle stiffness. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can provide pain relief when used appropriately.
Physiotherapy offers significant benefits for both acute and chronic golf injuries. A qualified physiotherapist can accurately diagnose the problem, identify contributing factors, and develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses not just symptoms but underlying causes.
| Body Area | Common Injuries | Typical Causes | Physiotherapy-Focused Treatments |
| Lower Back | Muscle strain/sprain, disc injury, degenerative arthritis, altered joint mechanics | Repetitive rotation, poor swing mechanics, inadequate warm-up, weak core, and overuse | Lower back physiotherapy: Core strengthening, lumbar stabilisation, flexibility exercises, posture training, manual therapy, graded return-to-play |
| Shoulder | Rotator cuff tendinitis/tear, subacromial impingement, AC joint pain, labral (SLAP) tear, instability | Overuse, poor scapular mechanics, excessive shoulder turn, hitting the ground awkwardly, poor conditioning | Rotator cuff and scapular stabilisation, mobility work, kinetic chain exercises, proprioception training, swing modification |
| Elbow | Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), ulnar neuritis | Overuse, poor swing mechanics, sudden impact, excessive gripping, and equipment issues | Forearm/wrist strengthening, eccentric loading, stretching, manual therapy, ergonomic/swing assessment |
| Wrist/Hand | tendinitis (extensor/flexor carpi ulnaris), TFCC injury, fractures, Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome | Repetitive stress, impact with ground/object, overuse, poor grip technique | Range of motion and grip strengthening, functional retraining, taping/splinting, manual therapy, technique correction |
| Hip/Pelvis | Muscle strain, ligament sprain, tight hip flexors, altered joint mechanics | Prolonged sitting, poor flexibility, overuse, inadequate warm-up | Hip mobility and strengthening, pelvic stability work, flexibility routines, movement retraining |
| Knee | Ligament sprain, meniscus injury, degenerative changes | Twisting during swing, poor lower limb strength, inadequate warm-up, and overuse | Quadriceps/hamstring strengthening, balance/proprioception training, flexibility work, gait and movement retraining |
| Foot/Ankle | Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, ankle sprains, walking-related overuse | Extensive walking (10km per round), poor footwear, uneven terrain, overuse, inadequate recovery | Shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis, strengthening exercises, gait analysis, footwear assessment, manual therapy |
How We Can Help
At True Physio, our expert physiotherapists understand the unique demands that golf places on the body. We have extensive experience treating golf-related injuries across all skill levels.
Our treatments include, but are not limited to:
- Shockwave therapy for foot pain
- Treatment for joint pain and stiffness
- Sports injury physiotherapy
- Sports massage
- Steroid Prescription
Our initial assessment process is thorough and comprehensive. We take time to understand your current symptoms, golfing habits, playing frequency, and personal goals. This detailed evaluation allows us to identify the root causes of your injury.
Following the assessment, we develop a personalised treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs. This plan addresses your immediate pain while focusing on preventing future problems. We combine hands-on treatment techniques with targeted exercises and education to optimise your recovery.
Whether you’re dealing with a recent injury or managing a chronic problem that’s been affecting your game, our team has the expertise to help. We recognise that every golfer is different, and we tailor our approach accordingly. Ask us about our new Sports Pass, designed to get you assessed, diagnosed and treated quickly so you can get back into your natural swing.
Don’t let a golf injury keep you away from the game you love. If you’re experiencing pain or dysfunction related to your golf activities, contact us today to book your assessment at one of our 9 clinics across the UK. Our experienced physiotherapists are ready to help you get back to playing pain-free and performing at your best.