Injury Prevention in Golf

Prepared by Deakin University
Common Injuries From Golf

Compared with some sports, the overall risk of injury is small. However, the short periods of intensive play can lead to muscle imbalances in high level players. Common injuries are to the :

Lower back

Wrist and elbow

Head and eye

How Many Get Injured?

Golf ranks as the 13th highest sport/leisure activity leading to presentation with a new injury at sports medicine clinics in Victoria.

Who is Injured?

Mainly males aged between 24 and 65 years that participate for an average six hours per week in social competitions.

Professional golfers involved in high intensity play.

Children up to 10 years.

Cause of Injuries:

Overuse/too much practice.

Poor swing style and too much twisting.

Hitting ground or objects other then the ball.

Aggravation of a previous injury.

Hits from a club or ball.

Falls on a golf course.

Safety for Children and Adolescents

What are the Problems?
Injuries to children especially under the age of 10 years are often severe and usually to the head and facial areas.

What are the Causes?

Injuries to this group often result from unsupervised play with golf clubs, or because the child had stood too close while observing peers or adults swinging golf clubs.

Being struck by a golf ball, often when standing too close to a player hitting the ball..

Safety Tips:

All players should ensure their golfing equipment is stored in a secure place away from the reach of children when it is not in use.

A responsible adult should supervise children at all times when golf equipment is being used.

Children, players and parents should be educated about the importance of nstanding well clear when others swing golf clubs. People should be at least four club lengths away from the swinging club.

Go-Go golf is recommended as an appropriate version of the game for young children, subject to the presence of adequatee supervision and children remaining clear of swinging clubs at all times.

Safety for Players

The following tips apply to all players irrespective of their level of play:

What are the Problems?

Overuse injuries and aggravation of previous injuries are common.

Such injuries typically occur to the lower back, wrist/elbow, knee and shoulder.

These injuries are not always severe but can limit performance in the game.

Safety Tips:

All players should undertake proper and adequate warm-up procedures before each game. This should include gentle movement and mobility exercises, leg annd shoulder stretches, followed by gentle air swings or ball hits using short irons.

All players should undertake general strength and fitness programs including weight training and/or aerobic activities, e.g. walking or jogging ( obtain medical advice if necessary ).

Swing improovement, for both injury prevention and performance,can be achieved by taking lessons from a registered Professional Golf Association coach.

All golf equipment ( cllubs and shoes ) should be professionally fitted before purchase.

All players should be prepared to stop playing immediately when a muscle problem/injury occurs.

All injured players, irrespective of how severe the injury is, should seek immediate first aid or prompt medical treatment of their injury.

Injured golfers should not resume playing until they have completely recovered from their injury.

On Course Safety
A number of potential problems can occur to an unprepared player : sunburn, dehydration/sunstroke; hits from a ball ( e.g. to players, spectators, groundstaff, etc. ); strains and muscle spasms; insect and animal stings and bites; falls or slips; cart accidents;inclement weather/lightening strike.

Safety Tips:

All players should wear sun protection ( clothing, hat, factor 15+ ) at all times. Both sunscreen and an insect repellent and/or relief cream should be carried in a player's bag at all times.

Players should drink lots of fluids even before feeling thirsty. Adequate water intake is also important both before and after a game.

Golfers should read carefully and adhere to the local safety rules of the golf course.

All players, irrespective of their level of play, should know and practice the basics rules and etiquette of the game. Chheck that no one else is standing close before you swing. Dont play until the group infront is out of the way. Shout 'fore' to warn of danger to players and spectators. Give way to ground staff and wait until they call you to play on.

All players should lift and carry their clubs safely and preferable use a buggy.

Players shold not enter areas where snakes or bangerous insects or animals might inhabit. Nor should players place their hands in areas/holes that they cannot check for snakes/spiders.

When using motorised carts, players should check the local safety rules regarding pathways and feet placement.

Players should move away away from from open areas where lightening strikes are possible.

Wherever possible, players should carry a mobile phone incase of emergency ( make sure it is not turned on whilst you play the game. ).

When the temperature exceeds 35 C, players and competition managers should reconsider the playing conditions for further play.

For further Information:

Deakin University School O Human Movement 221 Burwood Highway Burwood Victoria 3125 Telephone : 03 9251 7084	Communication Unit Sport and Recreation Victoria Telephone : 03 9666 4331
Victorian Golf Association Telephone : 03 9889 6731 Email:vga@golfvic.org.au	Women's Golf Victoria Telephone : 03 9523 8511 Website:

References:

Sherman C and Finch C. On par for preventing golf injuries
- a review of the literature.
School of Human Movement
Research Report No. 97001
Faculty of Health and Behaviourable Science
Deakin University, November 1997

Acknowledgements:
Funding for this project was received from
Sport and Recreation Victoria
The following organisations provided information :
Victorian Golf Association
Women's Golf Victoria
Melbourne Golf Injuries Clinic
Golf Australia