By Dave Malaska
SmartHealthToday
In 1996, acclaimed author John Feinstein wrote a book about the pro golf tour, borrowing an old description of golf for his title.
Since then, the phrase which has often been erroneously attributed to Mark Twain but whose origin is unclear, has taken on a life of its own for golf addicts and non-aficionados as well: Golf is a good walk spoiled.
The sport can be maddening, from the badly timed slice or hook to a barely missed putt or a perplexing case of “the yips.”
Ask one of the estimated 28 million American golfers, though, and they’ll tell you there’s nothing that spoils their “good walk” more than a golf injury.
Golf isn’t usually associated with sports injuries, but it should be, according to New York orthopedist and golfer Dr. Larry Foster. Anecdotally, he estimates around 60 percent of golfers will suffer an injury directly related to the sport at some time.
Affectionately known to golfers as “Dr. Divot,” Foster penned his own golf book about injuries duffers suffer and how to prevent them.
“Golf is actually a demanding athletic activity that puts tremendous stress on the body and has a high injury rate,” said Foster. “Nobody takes golf injuries seriously until they suffer one.”
A golf swing is not a natural act, Foster points out. Most back injuries stem from that unnatural motion, or time spent hunched over the ball to line up a putt. Lugging a large golf bag around for 18 holes and occasional temper tantrums add to the list of injuries that can keep you off the green, as well.
Here is a look at some of the most common golf injuries:
Lower back pain, strains
Even among the pros, when a finely tuned golf swing can generate club speeds of up to 120 miles per hour, the twisting motion can wreak havoc with the back. In a recent study of PGA pros, more than a third had reported suffering a back injury within the past year that kept them in the clubhouse for weeks. Most were directly attributed to muscular or disc problems caused by the severe twisting motion of a swing with proper form. Less classic swings were the root of even more problems.
To avoid problems, Foster suggests slowing down your back swing to minimize stress on your lower back at the top of the motion. Also, work on your swing away from the course. Adopt classic swing technique with a big shoulder and hip turn on the back swing, making sure your weight is properly shifted to the right foot and your arms and shoulders remain in proper position. There are plenty of “swing shrinks” around any gold course that can help you find the proper form.
Mind your elbow
The second-most frequent malady reported by golfers is, oddly, tennis elbow.Lateral epicondylitis – damage to the tendons in the elbow caused by overuse and strain – is actually reported more frequently by golfers than tennis players. Along with medial epicondylitis, which is commonly known as golfer’s elbow, they are a major problem for some golfers.
Lateral epicondylitis is often associated with over-swinging, while the medial version is often linked to a “fat” swing (hitting the ground before you strike the ball). Both increase with age and time spent on the links.
You can cut down on their incidence by a good stretch before teeing off. Experts also suggest switching to graphite shafts, which are more forgiving, and low-compression balls to decrease elbow strain at the point of impact. Foster suggests loosening your grip and a slow back swing as a way to avoid elbow injuries.
Wrist problems
A myriad of wrist problems also strike golfers in particular. Carpal tunnel syndrome, DeQuervain’s Tendinitis (which affects the tendons that control the thumb) and injuries to the bones of the wrist due to the stresses of impact are also major complaints by golfers. Most can be avoided, or at least lessened, by using proper form or using braces. Making sure your clubs have been properly sized are another way to avoid them, according to Foster.
Shoulder strain
Shoulder injuries are another biggie for golfers, whether they are torn rotator cuffs, tendinitis or injury-induced joint instability. Again, most can be avoided by proper form, stretching before you play and making sure you have proper (and properly sized) equipment, according to Foster.
“I tell my patients that if they do the preventative things, they won’t have to see me regularly… unless they see me hacking away on the golf course,” he said.
SmartHeathToday is a service of St. Elizabeth Healthcare which is offering an informational session on getting your shoulders ready for summer activities on June 9. It is presented by Mayo Clinic’s D.r Joaquin Sanchez-Sotelo, Dr. Michael Greiwe of Commonwealth Orthopedic Centers and Kathy Boehmer of St. Elizabeth Sports Medicine.
