Prevention is better than cure: simple tips for avoiding golf injuries

If you were compile a list of the sports that really take their toll on a player’s body then it’s fair to assume that golf would come a fair way down the rankings below the likes of contact sports such as rugby and football.

But that’s not to say that golfers don’t have their own physical issues to worry about; think about the number of times that professional players and keen amateurs alike will swing a golf club in their lifetime and it’s no surprise that repetitive stress injuries are a common complaint along with back pain and general tendon inflammation and pain in the joints.

There are a number of steps that anyone who enjoys hitting the links can take to avoid such injuries, so if you’re the kind of person who enjoys 18 holes on a regular occasion then it’s well worth while addressing potential problems before they become a hindrance to you.

First and foremost, flexibility is key to a golf player. Although it may feel natural to you by now, the golf swing combines a complicated set of movements that puts strain on several parts of your body. Warm up properly with relevant stretching techniques before you begin every round and you’ll reduce the wear and tear on your body.

Golf is sometimes seen as a sport that can be played by people of all fitness levels, and while that’s true to an extent, the general shape you’re in will affect the likelihood of you succumbing to common golf injuries. In other words, don’t play golf to get fit – get fit to play golf. Take regular exercise alongside your golf sessions and you’ll reap the benefits. Working out with weights in particular can go a long way to strengthening the muscles you depend on to get you around the golf course in one piece; consult a fitness instructor at your gym about which exercises will benefit you – and how to perform them.

Whichever way you choose to approach it, taking preventative steps in order to avoid common golfing injuries is a smart move. It’s not always possible to prevent injury, of course, but it makes sense to do all you can to reduce the risk.

If you do find that you develop pain in your joints as a result of playing golf then you may well find that taking glucosamine supplements will help you to recover from your injury. Taking glucosamine can help to stimulate the formation of cartilage and the connective tissues that bind your joints together, helping to relieve pain and improve your mobility.