How to Prevent Shoulder Injuries in Golf

Good physical preparation and proper techniques goes a long way to prevent golf injuries. Improper club grips, overuse and poor swing mechanics are major contributor to golf injuries. Sometimes it is just plain bad luck when injuries happen. The overall aim is to prevent injuries at any cost, particularly while playing golf.

Another frequent physical complaint among golfers is injury of the shoulder and neck area. Shoulders are commonly injured during golf, with the main shoulder injury being an overuse injury on the shoulder opposite to the back swing, such as the left shoulder of a right-handed golfer. The main shoulder muscles used in a golf swing are the rotator cuff muscles. The potential for injury is worsened by a lack of muscle strength and flexibility in this very important muscle group. Some preparation and knowledge can help to prevent or reduce the impact of shoulder injuries.

A good warm up will go a long way toward preventing injuries on the green. Stretch out the arms, shoulders, and back pre and post game. A couple of minutes jogging or brisk walk around the golf course will increase blood circulation in the muscles. Get a bucket of balls and hit a few golf balls on the driving range. It not only will help your game, it will loosen your muscles and make you healthier in the long run.

Before starting the round, make sure you do proper body stretching especially the back area and shoulder. Your back, shoulders and arm muscles especially need to loosen up before you take your first swing. This is because the golf swing is a complex and difficult movement to get right, and it is much easier when your muscles have been suitably loosened up beforehand. Mike Pedersens' 7 Minutes Golf Stretching DVD contains a great selection of warm-up stretches.

Bad golfing techniques dramatically increase the risk of injury. Golfers who perform their swings properly and smoothly are less likely to get injured. If you find you often have one group of muscles that are always sore after the game, you may need to refine your golf swing; get a PGA certified trainer. Tips: Shorten the backswing slightly - end with the club head at a 1 o'clock rather than 3 o'clock.

Ensure your golf equipment is in good conditions and are of the correct length for you. If you play with a set that is improperly fitted, or simply an off-the-rack set, you are inviting trouble. A properly fitted set is one of the keys to reduce the risk of injury, and it will benefit your game, too. Getting custom fitted is easy and painless with web-based fitting tools like the 'club fitting wizard' at Pinemeadow Golf or the 'e-fit System' at GigaGolf. It helps to have a partner who assists with some of the measurements required.

Shoulder injury prevention costs less than shoulder repair. Finally, if you feel excruciating pain when you attempt to rotate your shoulder in a particular direction, add ice to reduce swelling, and seek medical treatment immediately.