Physiotherapy for golfers

*This article was originally published by Active Physio Works, which is part of the Lifemark family

With the weather getting nicer and some provinces beginning to ease restrictions related to COVID-19, many Canadians have been looking forward to heading out to their favourite golf course and enjoying the game they love. But what if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your golf swing?

While golf is a low impact game, it’s very common for golfers to develop injuries, as nearly 50% of all amateur golfers report at least one injury per year. Those rates can increase with individuals who play more frequently or have subpar biomechanics.

Physiotherapy can improve your golf game. Not only can a physiotherapist help manage several types of injuries that may be limiting your performance, they can also create an exercise program adapted to your needs to potentially enhance your skills.

Strength training and plyometrics

Targeting the mobility, stability and strength of the joints and musculature in the trunk, hips and shoulders are pivotal to improving your golf swing.  Studies have shown that strength training and plyometrics (explosive exercises) focused on these areas can improve peak speed of leading arms and hand in a golf swing, club head speed, and ball distance.

One exercise you can look into is the rotational medicine ball throw, which targets the desired joints and muscles while mimicking the explosive rotational component of a golf swing. This transfers perfectly into your golf game!

Recent evidence has shown that improving grip strength with the use of fat grips can also benefit your golf game, as performing resistance training with fat grips around the bar handles can improve ball speed, carry, driving distance and left-hand grip strength.

Improving forearm and wrist strength also wouldn’t hurt your golf swing because the energy transfer that originates from your hips and torso must pass through your forearms and wrists on the way to the club head.

Physiotherapy for golf injuries

Golf requires strength, flexibility, explosive power, endurance and athletic ability. Over time, these forces can cause different injuries, which generally affect areas such as the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and lower back. The impact of golf on your body can vary greatly depending on your swing type, posture, fitness level and other factors.

A physiotherapist can evaluate your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. If you’re experiencing lower back pain or other issues after playing golf, consult a Lifemark physiotherapist. Check out our Locations page to find a Lifemark clinic near you or book online to schedule an appointment.