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