Avoiding Pain Through Golf Season

Summer is in full swing and so is golf season! After a long winter of waiting to head back out on the green, golfers often hit the course too hard aggravating old injuries. According to clinical research, at least 40 percent of golfers play with injuries or arthritis.

Luckily, there are some tricks and preparations that can help you feel good and stay healthy through the season. You can feel good through the season, but it will take a little common sense and preparation. Here are some tips to help you get ready for a great season and keep you playing through October:

Meet with an Expert – Meeting with a golf-specific sports performance specialist or therapist before the season can help you avoid injuring – or reinjuring – an old injury. These experts can help to create a conditioning program tailored to your daily routine. Moreover, a certified professionals will understand the injured or arthritic golfers and can help you make the necessary adjustments to your form.
Maintain Your Weight – Maintaining a healthy weight is important to those who are staying active – especially those struggling with joint pain. Overweight players put significant pressure on various joints, which can cause pain and worsen arthritis.
Warm Up – A simple 5-10 minute walk prior to stepping onto the range can help warm up your muscles and prepare your body for the rigors of a game of golf. Warming up is an essential part of injury prevention.
Hydrate – Drink plenty of water. As a general rule try to drink one and a half bottles of water – about 25 ounces – before your round and about three bottles during your round.
Watch Your Meals – Eat a small low fat, lean protein, and complex carb rich meal one to two hours before play or practice to help fuel your body. Stay away from large meals which can take a while to digest and move blood away from your muscles – affecting play and performance.
Try an Aid – If you suffering from arthritis or pain in your hips and knees aids may help you minimize your pain. Oversized grips can help with pain in hands and spikeless golf shoes will help to reduce the increased rotational stress on hips, knees and ankles in the typical golf swing. An expert can help fit you for orthotics to reduce stress on knees and feet. There are many braces (for arthritic knees) to minimize pain during the golf swing.

Have a tip we missed? Leave it below in the comments; we’d love to hear from you!