Golf Injuries That Can Linger After a Long Summer Season: When to See a Specialist

Why Can Golf Lead to Injuries?

Golf may be a low-impact sport, but the golf swing is a powerful and repetitive movement. Your spine rotates, your shoulders and arms generate force, and your lower body provides stability throughout the swing.

Playing frequently, poor mechanics, overuse, limited flexibility, or simply pushing through fatigue can place additional stress on the body. Over the course of a long golf season, small aches can gradually become more noticeable.

Lower Back Pain

The rotational forces involved in a golf swing can put significant stress on the lower back. Repeatedly swinging a club, bending to pick up balls, carrying a golf bag, and spending several hours on your feet may also contribute to discomfort.

Lower back pain after golf that continues between rounds or interferes with everyday activities shouldn't be ignored. Pain that travels into the buttock or leg or occurs with numbness, tingling, or weakness may also indicate nerve involvement.

At Garden State Pain & Orthopedics, our pain management specialists can evaluate persistent back pain and determine whether conservative care, interventional pain management, or another treatment option may be appropriate.

Golfer's/Tennis Elbow and Elbow Pain

Despite its name, golfer's elbow isn't limited to golfers. The repetitive gripping and swinging involved in the sport can place stress on the muscles and tendons surrounding the elbow.

Symptoms may include pain or tenderness around the elbow, discomfort when gripping a club, or pain that becomes more noticeable during or after a round.

If elbow pain continues despite rest, an orthopedic specialist in NJ can evaluate the injury and help determine the appropriate next steps.

Shoulder Pain

The shoulders play an important role throughout the golf swing. Repeated rotation and force can contribute to shoulder pain, particularly after months of frequent play.

Pain when swinging, reaching overhead, lifting your arm, or sleeping on the affected shoulder may be a reason to seek an orthopedic evaluation.

Persistent shoulder pain from golf may be related to overuse or an underlying injury that should be properly diagnosed rather than repeatedly played through.

Wrist and Hand Pain

Your hands and wrists absorb force every time the club makes contact with the ball or ground. Frequent play can lead to soreness, stiffness, or pain that affects your grip.

Wrist pain that persists off the course, swelling, weakness, or difficulty gripping objects may indicate that the area needs further evaluation.

Knee Pain

The knees help stabilize the body as weight shifts and the hips rotate through the golf swing. Walking 18 holes can add even more stress, particularly for golfers already experiencing joint discomfort.

Persistent knee pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced mobility can make both your golf game and everyday activities more difficult. An orthopedic evaluation can help identify what's causing the pain and determine treatment options based on your individual condition.

When Should You See a Specialist for a Golf Injury?

Occasional soreness after a long round isn't unusual. However, pain that repeatedly returns, becomes more severe, affects your swing, or continues even when you're not golfing may deserve a closer look.

Consider seeing a specialist if you experience persistent pain, swelling, reduced range of motion, weakness, numbness or tingling, or difficulty performing normal activities.

Getting evaluated doesn't necessarily mean giving up golf. Identifying the source of your symptoms can help your physician develop a treatment plan with the goal of reducing pain, improving function, and helping you stay active.

Finish the Golf Season Strong

Don't let an injury from the summer golf season continue bothering you throughout the fall.

At Garden State Pain & Orthopedics, our team provides comprehensive pain management and orthopedic care in New Jersey for back pain, shoulder pain, elbow injuries, knee pain, sports injuries, nerve pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Our orthopedic specialists and pain management physicians offer advanced diagnostic options, personalized care, and minimally invasive treatment options based on each patient's individual needs.

Garden State Pain & Orthopedics at one of our five convenient New Jersey locations in Clifton, Edison, West Orange, Hazlet, or Jersey City.