Can You Be Sore From Golfing? [Common Aches and Pains]

• Back pain is one of the most common golfing injuries and is usually the result of twisting and rotating during the swing
• Soreness in the legs is also common, especially in the hamstrings
• Knee pain is another issue that can often occur, especially in players that have a lot of pressure on their joints during the swing
• Elbow pain, often referred to as “tennis elbow”, is also common among golfers
• Shoulder pain is another issue that can be caused by golfing and should be checked out by a doctor if it persists
• Other pain areas include the hips and a painful neck

I started my round and everything was going well. I was making good shots and enjoying the game.

But somewhere around the 9th hole, I started to feel a bit of pain in my back. It wasn’t too bad, but it was noticeable. I kept playing, but the pain gradually got worse.

By the time I reached the 18th hole, I was really struggling. The pain had become quite intense and it was difficult to move my arms or shoulders without feeling a lot of discomfort.

I walked off the course with a sense of disappointment. I’d had a good round until the end, when my back decided to give out on me.

The pain persisted for a few days, but eventually it subsided and I was able to start hitting balls again on the range. However, I was careful not to overdo it, knowing that if I pushed myself too hard, the pain would come back.

After a few weeks of careful practice, my back felt better and I decided to play another round of golf. This time, I took it easy and didn’t push myself too hard. And thankfully, the pain didn’t come back.

While golf isn’t as physically demanding as sports like football or basketball, it does require players to put their bodies in a lot of unusual and straining positions.

Professional golfers are some of the most flexible athletes on the planet and yet week in and week out, they’re constantly battling injuries.

Unfortunately, we’re no different. Whether you’re out on the course once or twice a week, or you’re pounding buckets of balls on the range every day, your body is eventually going to feel the effects, and though you may think that all aches and pains are a sign of something bad, this isn’t always the case.

Read about some of the most common golfing injuries below so you know which ones are normal and which ones you might need to get checked out:

Common aches & pains during & after a round of golf

So, you’re about to play a round of golf. Have you considered doing any stretching exercises just before it’s time to tee off? Did you know some of the most common aches and pains after a round of golf occurs when a player fails to prep their body into shape before stepping out onto the green?

Those common aches and pains have been known to hit various parts of the body such as the back, elbow, knee, shoulder, and wrist. Each of these painful experiences can be avoided.

As tradesmen make the effort to practice preventative maintenance, you owe it to yourself to practice preventative medicine. Doing so will save you the risk of causing bodily harm that can go anywhere from a few hours of pain and suffering to to a potential lifetime of physical irritation.

Now, don’t get me wrong here. Golf isn’t a dangerous sport. It is, however, one that requires coordinated body movement. Believe it or not, even hitting a small ball at ground level with a stick is just as physically demanding as hitting one in mid-air with a bat.

In fact, golfers and baseball players tend to share the same list of aches, pains, and injuries as their bodies tend to move the same way. Granted, golfers aren’t going to run and slide from base to base but they are on their feet a lot while playing their sport.

It was a beautiful day for golf. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. I arrived at the course early and started warming up by hitting some balls on the range. My swings felt good and I was feeling confident.

Back Pain

As you position yourself to hit the ball while on the golf course, you will likely be hunched over your club as you take a swing. It doesn’t matter here if you’re teeing off to send the ball a great distance or need to make a gentle shot to move it a few inches.

Lower back pain is the most common form of discomfort after a round of golf, as well as the pains that exist between the shoulder blades. Ideally, if you wish to avoid these painful issues, focus on exercises that give the pectoral muscles and trapezoid better movement.

Stretching exercises is the best approach to help keep back injuries at bay.

Elbow Pain

Golfer’s elbow is the common terminology used to describe the pain that starts from the elbow and shoots its way down the forearm. Sometimes it’s identified as tennis elbow but this is an injury that’s an inner tendon problem.

Tennis elbow is an outer tendon problem. Both can occur among golfers as tendinitis is one of the most common injuries that occur among people who use their forearms often. In order to avoid running into this form of injury, practice swinging techniques first.

Also, make a point to rest the muscle the moment you feel that part of your body become irritable.

Knee Pain

While stabilizing the rotation of your hips at the beginning of your swing, you’re adding stress to the knees. Among the aging population, knees tend to experience mobility issues the most often.

In order to avoid this, regular stretching of the calves, hamstrings, thighs, and core muscles is essential. This doesn’t just apply as practice before starting your golf game. This should be a part of your regular routine every single day.

Shoulder Pain

The most common shoulder-related pain is the rotary cuff.

This is an easy part of the body that can mess with golfers as you’re using your shoulders as part of your body’s motion to score that perfect golf swing. When doing this you’re tapping into the four stabilizing muscles that hold your shoulder together.

Rotator cuff impingements happen when muscles swell and pinch the bone space between the arm and shoulder. Torn rotary cuffs is a serious injury that sometimes requires surgery to repair the damage. Even there, the potential to deal with this problem as a lifetime medical issue is likely.

The best way to avoid this and still keep your golf game is to engage in back and shoulder strengthening exercises. The two do go together.

Wrist Pain

Just like the elbows, wrists have a tendency to become fatigued and inflamed. Again, the best preventative measure to avoid injury of any kind is to engage in strengthening exercises so that the muscle and tissue reach and maintain optimal health.

Relaxing is also important. When muscles are tense, they become prone to injury. Next time you’re holding the golf club to make either a simple putt or a powerful swing, make a point to ensure your muscles are warmed up and relaxed at the same time.

Stretching exercises before starting your game may sound silly but even just ten minutes of that is enough to prevent aches and pains that are bound to last much longer than that.

Here’s some preventative treatment to help with these nagging golf pains

• Yoga: Helps improve flexibility and prevent injuries
• Pilates: Aids in strengthening the core muscles, which can help take pressure off the back and legs
• Stretching: improves range of motion and prevents stiffness
• Cardio: helps warm up the muscles and reduce risk of injury
• Strength Training: Increases muscle strength and endurance, helping

Preventative exercises are key when it comes to avoiding any type of injury, especially those that are common in golf.

Yoga and Pilates are both excellent exercises to help improve flexibility and strengthen the core muscles. Stretching is also important, as it can help improve range of motion and prevent stiffness.

Cardio is a good way to warm up the muscles before playing, and strength training can increase muscle strength and endurance, helping you better withstand the demands of the game.

If you’re ever in doubt about an ache or pain, don’t hesitate to see a doctor.

The normal stresses of a golf swing can cause discomfort in various parts of the body, including the back, legs, and arms

If you experience any pain or discomfort while playing golf, it is important to seek medical attention to avoid further injury

It is also important to be aware of your own body and understand which areas are most susceptible to injury