Yes Virgina, there are golf-related injuries, lots of them, and very few of them start with an opponent’s backswing. In fact, the ever-vigilant American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) reports that there were more than 103,000 golf-related injuries treated in 2007, and they
cost about $2.4 billion in medical, work-loss, pain and
suffering, and legal fees. That’s right, legal fees. The surgeons say the pain from the game usually arrives in the form of hand tenderness or numbness; shoulder, back and knee pain ; golfer’s elbow; and wrist injuries.
What to do? Or not do?
Here are five tips from the people who ready to cut those who don’t pay attention:
- Newer golfers should take lessons and start slowly.
- Practice on real turf instead of rubber mats..
- Dress for comfort and protection from the elements. Short cleats are better than long cleats.
- Don’t hunch over the ball. Hunching can cause neck strain and rotator cuff tendinitis.
- Avoid golfer’s elbow by doing wrist and
forearm stretching exercises. Don’t put too much wrist into your swing.
Read more from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.