Entries Tagged 'injuries' ↓

Preventing Common Golf Injuries

Although golf is a non-contact sport, there are still plenty of different ways that you can injure yourself on the course. Many players don’t look at golf as a form of exercise, and as such, they don’t take the proper precautions to ensure that they do not strain their muscles or injure their tendons. There are a few things that every golfer can do to minimize their chance for injury on the course and many of these tips will actually help you improve your game.

1. Don’t forget to stretch.

Any type of exercise should be preceded by a brief stretching session. Take about ten to fifteen minutes to stretch out your arms, leg and back. Your movements should mirror the swings you will be taking but much slower. This will give you plenty of time to get warmed up. As a bonus, the first few holes should go a lot smoother since you won’t have to get warmed up while you are actually on the course. If you don’t have a lot of free time, even five minutes of stretching is better than none.

2. Don’t forget to cool down.

Conversely, just like stretching before golf is important, it is also vital to go through a good cool down stretching session when you are done. When you go right from the course to flopping into a chair at the grill, you are not giving your muscles enough time to recover after your exertion. Simple stretches can help you avoid post-game soreness and keep your muscles in shape. Even though it is tempting to immediately quit once you’ve finished the last hole, try to do a few cool down stretches before you head off to the clubhouse.

3. When necessary, use a cart.

There are just some courses out there that are not friendly for walkers. Unless you are in peak physical condition, you will regret it if you don’t use a cart, especially if the course is very hilly. As a bonus, your game will go a lot faster, and you won’t end up feeling like you just ran the Boston Marathon when you wake up the next morning. If the course is easy to walk – walk it. If not, err on the side of caution and get the cart. Your muscles will thank you.

4. Use proper form.

One of the easiest ways to injure yourself on the course is by using improper form on your swing. This can stress not only your arms and shoulder, but also your back, neck and legs. If you are finding that you are wracked with pain after every round of golf, your form may be to blame. Schedule a one-time lesson with the club pro to make sure that your stance is correct. This can save you many aches and pains later on.

Golf actually does require a good deal of physical effort. Treat it like you would any other exercise program and remember not to overdo.

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Originally posted 2008-08-27 05:50:33. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Tiger Woods Expects to be an Even Better Golfer Upon His Re-debut in 2009

Anyone who was hoping that Tiger Woods would have lost a little bit of an edge while away from the golf course with a knee injury is apparently going to find themselves sorely disappointed. This is because the world number one golfer, Tiger Woods swears that he is going to be a better golfer than ever upon his return.

"I have been trying to make changes for years," He told reporters regarding his golf swing, "But I didn't have much in the knee." After holding a news conference in the lavish Hotel Bel-Air in Beverly Hills, he spoke about his comeback as well as his plans to unveil details about a golf course design for a course by the name of Punta Brava that would be situated along the shore line in Ensenada in Mexico. He has been working on this design, which is his third attempt at golf architecture, ever since he tore a ligament in his left knee and sustained stress fractures which were exacerbated during his playoff victory at June's San Diego United States Open tournament, which was what forced him out for the remainder of the season. He has planned to return sometime in early 2009 according to reports and interviews, though he is not expected to make a full 100 percent recovery until sometime around 2010.

Tiger Woods assures reporters that he does not plan on changing his attacking approach. His primary focus is not to do any more damage, but simply to get back into the game as soon as he can. He showed a lot of enthusiasm during recent interviews about the Ryder Cup last month, as well as his plans for his newest golf course, Punta Brava. Punta Brava is going to be an exciting project for him, involving the creation of a 6,853 yard, par 70 golf course layouts where you can see beaches and ocean from every single hole along the entire course, which is not something that you tend to see in many golf courses anywhere, let alone in beautiful Ensenada, Mexico. Punta Brava is slated to open either in late 2010 or in early 2011, and this may depend heavily on Woods' golf schedule at the time and whether or not he is still dealing with the ramifications of his injuries and the lengthened healing process that came with the exacerbation of his injuries in recent tournament play.

Tiger Woods may be out for a while longer, but he does not appear to plan on letting that get him down in any way. He is enjoying placing his focus on his newest architectural golf course in Ensenada, Mexico, and he is already gearing up to return to the green in as early as January of 2009, which does not give his competitors much time to improve their games if they expect to gain an edge over him during his absence.

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How Avid Golfers Can Avoid Joint Erosion

If you are an avid golfer that plays several times a week, there is a risk that you could develop joint erosion. This is a painful process that can reduce your swing, and make it difficult to function normally. However, there are steps every avid golfer can take that will help them avoid joint erosion.

Wrists

This is a very common problem area for many golfers. Your wrists are a big part of your game and if you’re not protecting them, you may find that after awhile you experience joint pain. It is vital to wear proper golf gloves that will support your wrists and help make the impact less noticeable. A good pair of golf gloves can go a long way in protecting your wrists and preventing future problems, such as joint erosion.

Shoulders

This is another problem area that can flare up suddenly in many golfers. You’ll be using your shoulders quite a bit while you play and repetitive motion can be very hard on your joints. Try to take a few days off if you notice excess strain on your shoulders and make sure that you stretch beforehand. One of the best ways to prevent joint erosion in the shoulders is to space out your playing time and to make sure that you are swinging properly. However, if you do play a lot, this may not be enough to keep your joints sound. Consider speaking with your physician about medications that can prevent joint erosion.

Hips

Since your hips are a large part of your swing, and you’ll be using them if you are walking a course, it is important to protect these joints as well. Minimize your walking time if you already are experiencing joint pain, and take advantage of a cart whenever possible. This can help reduce the overall wear and tear on your joints. Having the proper form can also have a big impact on how your hip joints wear over time.

These are just a few examples of the major joints that can be affected by erosion. While there may not be a cure-all preventative, you can minimize the damage that you are causing by taking the steps to ensure that you are swinging properly and using the right equipment to support your joints.

Sometimes, the best medicine is simply to reduce the amount of golf you play each week, or you may be able to get extra help from your physician as mentioned above. There are also supplements that will help keep your joints lubricated, to further reduce the risk of joint erosion, but once again, these should only be used under the care of a physician since they may interact with other medications.

Joint erosion is a problem that affects millions, but with care, special attention and the right equipment, you can do your part to reduce the risks that you may develop this painful condition in the future or prevent an existing condition from getting worse.

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