Golf: Myths and Truths About Injuries

GolfMyth vs. Truth
Myth-The more you play and harder you try, the better you get.
Truth-Over 80% of golfers suffer injuries from overuse.
Myth-endurance is the physical ability to withstand the duration of an entire golf game.
Truth-endurance also relates to the endurance of mental focus for the duration of an entire golf game, which is lost due to fatigue.
Myth-spending hours in the driving range and practicing a swing over and over, will improve your game.
Truth-adapting to the changes of your body and training your body to work with the changes, not against them, will improve your game.
Myth-training will enhance your golf game to its maximum potential
Truth-training specific to the demands of the player AND the game are mandatory in order to perfect your game.
Most common Infirmities in Golf
#1 Lower back – caused by rotation and extension in golf swing.
CORRECTIVE: Strength training, corrective exercising and proper instruction will increase your range of motion in your spine and hip, resulting in lower back pain.
#2 Elbow-Medial and lateral epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) are caused by poor swing mechanics and increase with age and frequency.
CORRECTIVE: The technique in your swing can improve with guidance from a professional golfer and the physical conditioning needed when bone density and muscle mass begin to decrease with age.
#3 Wrist-overuse of the wrist flexor and extensor tendons cause pain and prevents golfers from having a proficient swing.
CORRECTIVE: By strengthening the forearm and hand muscles, incidence of injury decreases.  Altering your swing mechanics will also prevent tension on the tendons/muscles involved in a golf swing.
#4 Shoulder- Injuries are suffered in the lead arm when stress is caused by the exertion of power within the range of motion during a swing.  Impingement Syndrome, rotator cuff problems and arthritis are issues golfers experience with an inept range of motion and strength.
CORRECTIVE: Targeting the shoulder with corrective exercise and building muscle will alleviate the issues associated with shoulder pain.
Golfers who perform regular exercise and engage in a fitness program experience less occurrence of injury.
Did You Know…
. Performance declines at a rate of 2% per year through the age of 80.
. Strength training provides a 24% increase in speed and an average reduction of 4 shots off of a golfer’s handicap.
. Bone density and muscle mass begin to decrease at the age of 30.
. A survey of 1,000 golfers showed that there is an injury rate significantly higher in golfers over the age of 50 (65%) than in golfers
younger than 50 (58%).
. 63% of amateur golfers have a loss of posture-which affects ALL aspects of a swing.
. 50% of amateur golfers will experience lower back injury related to golf at some point in their lives.
. 22 muscles are used to create speed in a single swing alone.
 

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