Golf may not look like a sport full of injuries. Yet the opposite can be true. All it takes is a long-term overloaded technique without compensation, a poor movement pattern, or an underestimated warm-up. And the back, shoulders, elbows, or wrists make themselves heard.
When is pain still a normal part of the game and when is it time to see a specialist? We talked about it with Dr. Marek Burian, the traumatology lead at Regen Clinic.
*Which health problems or pains do you encounter most often among golfers?*
Lower back pain is clearly the leader. The golf swing is a very specific movement, and the repeated asymmetrical rotation together with the large forces acting on the body place a considerable strain on the lower back.
But we also frequently see problems in the upper limbs. Typical are the tendon-attachment pains of the forearm known as "golfer's elbow" — pain on the inner side of the elbow — or "tennis elbow", which hurts on the outer side instead. Shoulder overload or damage to the rotator cuff is also common, especially in the lead arm during the swing.
*And what about palm pain from gripping the club too hard?*
The cause of wrist and hand pain is more often the repeated impact of the club into hard ground or obstacles. Yes, we encounter those often too.
*Does the player's age influence typical golf injuries?*
Yes, and quite significantly. Younger and professional players more often struggle with overuse injuries. Because of their great flexibility and high swing speed, they generate enormous forces that can lead, for example, to acute back or wrist problems.
For older and recreational players the cause tends to be different. Flexibility and muscle strength gradually decline and degenerative changes, such as osteoarthritis, increase. If the body also loses mobility in the hips or the thoracic spine, it starts to compensate for the movement through the lower back. And that is often the cause of chronic pain.
*Is there a part of the body that suffers most during golf and that we should take extra care of?*
Clearly the lower back. From a biomechanical point of view the golf swing is a very demanding movement. It combines rotation, side-bending, and a sharp extension of the body within a fraction of a second. Yet the lower back is not built for large rotation — that should be provided mainly by the hips and the thoracic spine.
If these parts of the body are not mobile enough, the lower back "makes up" for the movement. The result is a significant overload of the intervertebral discs and the facet joints.
*How important is warming up before a game and what should definitely not be missing?*
The warm-up is absolutely essential. And yet recreational players often underestimate it. Arriving at the first tee, pulling out the driver, and swinging at full power is one of the fastest routes to injury. Muscles and tendons that haven't been warmed up are far more prone to injury.
*What should a warm-up look like?*
An ideal warm-up should last at least 10 to 15 minutes and should be dynamic. It should not be missing:
A general warming of the body — for instance a brisker walk or light movement to raise the heart rate.
Mobilizing the joints of the shoulders, trunk, pelvis, wrists, and ankles.
Dynamic stretching and muscle activation, such as squats, lunges with trunk rotation, or side-bends. It's ideal to use a golf club — you can, for example, rest it behind your neck and slowly rotate your trunk to imitate the swing.
A gradual increase in speed, i.e. "tuning in" to the swing. These are smooth practice swings into the air, from half swings with shorter irons up to full swings.
*Which signals from the body should players not ignore?*
The basic rule is not to ignore pain that changes your natural swing technique. The body tries to avoid the pain, so you start to swing incorrectly, which can then damage other joints.
*When is it appropriate to see a specialist?*
The main warning sign is sharp or stabbing pain that appears during the swing.
Pain that radiates from the back into the legs, or from the neck or shoulder into the fingers, also deserves attention — such pain can indicate a problem in the spine.
Players should also be alert if ordinary muscle fatigue does not subside within 48 hours and turns into a persistent dull or burning pain. Reasons to visit a doctor or physiotherapist also include more pronounced restrictions of movement, swelling, redness of the joints, or a situation where a person cannot raise their arm or bend forward normally without difficulty.
*What can a golfer do in the long term to keep their body in shape and play without pain?*
Golf is an asymmetrical sport, which is why it is essential to balance out movement imbalances over the long term.
Core strengthening plays a big role. Strong abdominal, back, and gluteal muscles act as a natural support for the spine and help prevent overload.
Working on mobility is equally important. Regular stretching, yoga, or Pilates can help keep the hips, the thoracic spine, and the backs of the thighs mobile — the very areas that have a crucial influence on the quality of the golf swing.
Sensibly guided strength training is also beneficial. Strengthening helps firm up the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system, and the body then copes better with the repeated load of playing. A longer drive can be a bonus.
And last but not least, technique matters. Many problems arise inconspicuously — from small errors in the swing that are repeated over the long term. Regular work with a golf coach therefore benefits not only performance but also health.
*How and with what can you help golfers at Regen Clinic?*
Working with our specialists, we offer a wide range of examinations that allow us to identify the exact cause of the problem and to propose targeted treatment that gives golfers relief. We also focus on modern approaches and technologies that support faster regeneration.
About the doctor
Dr. Marek Burian is a general surgeon with many years of practice who combines top-level operative skill with an empathetic and human approach. Over the course of his career he has gained extensive experience in both acute and planned surgery.
He is close to sport — among other roles he has worked as a sports physician, whether with youth national football teams or with league football clubs such as FK Viktoria Žižkov, AC Sparta Praha, and most recently Bohemians Praha.
This interview was originally published in the Galerie Golf Hostivař magazine (magazin.golfhostivar.cz). Members of Golf Club Hostivař receive a 10% discount on all Regen Clinic therapies.