Watch Out for Those Aches and Pains when Golfing!
Although golfing is an excellent way to stay in shape and be healthy, it can also subject you to various aches and pains. It is important to always remember that when you are golfing, you will be using muscles that you don’t always utilize in your daily life. For this reason, it is essential to be golf ready.
After a long day on the course swinging clubs, the small muscles in your hands can become tired and your back has been exposed to demanding contortions. Most golfers, if they are lucky, play about once a week during the golf season and hit about 10 or 20 practice balls before a round. If you hit an average of forty to fifty shots per round of golf, as well as twenty practice balls you will make an estimated five hundred full swings per golf season. The fast majority of people are not prepared to have that much stress placed on our muscles.
If you are planning a golf trip, the first step is to prepare your body throughout the year with regular strength and flexibility training. As the time for your trip grows closer, start hitting more practice balls, with a goal of working your way up to around one hundred balls every second day.
Remember to pack some ibuprofen for your golf trip. Think about taking 600mg in the morning and again after you have completed your rounds for the day. It is always important that you listen to your body; if you start having continual aches and pains, take a break for a while.
If you notice some shoulder pain, especially in your back swing, it could indicate a rotator-cuff tear or ligament injury. First of all, it is important to find out if this is an injury that will heal with time like with most minor muscle tears, strains or stretched ligaments. Or, if this is the type of injury that may need surgical treatment such as a rotator cuff or complete ligament tear. Typically, a doctor will recommend that you take around two months off from any activity that causes pain, and then reassess the injury. If after this time you are still having pain you should see an orthopedic physician. If the pain is gone, you can likely return to your previous activities slowly, always remembering to listen to your body.
A little time and effort on your part can go a long way in preventing golf injuries and aches to your body. Four key things you can do to prevent aches are warm-up, swing, biomechanics, and carrying the golf bag.
You should always carry your golf bag safely to prevent low back pain. An integrated golf bag stand that opens when the bag is set on the ground can eradicate the need to bend over. Bag straps that place all the weight on just one shoulder can be hard on the back. Ideally, you should use dual straps on your golf bag so the weight is evenly distributed across the back. This will decrease your chances of developing low back pain.
Warm-up your muscles before playing golf to avoid low back pain. A complete warm-up before starting to golf, including stretching and easy swings is essential for the muscles to prepare for the game. Stretching should focus on the shoulder, torso, and hip regions as well as the hamstring muscles. Holding a golf club behind the neck and shoulders may stretch the shoulder and torso and then revolving the torso can stretch the shoulder and torso effectively. Pulling each knee to the chest is a good way to stretch out your hips while toe touches stretch your hamstring. Muscles that have been stretched are much less apt to be injured and can take more stress before being injured.
Practice your golf swing before playing to avoid low back pain. The purpose of a golf swing is to develop considerable club head speed, in doing this, plenty of force and twisting is applied to the lower back. An even, rhythmic swing will minimize stress and low back pain.
When you are new to golfing, it helps to work with a pro; this will aid you in avoiding a low back injury. This is because most positions your body twists into when golfing are actually not natural or instinctive.
Tags: golf injuries, golfers, stretching and flexibility