Golf Injuries

By Dr. Virayut Chaopricha

Orthopedic Surgeon at Vibhavadi Hospital

Golf is a widely popular sport, greatly influenced by live broadcasts of major tournaments on television almost every week. The increased prize money and the rise of young Superstar players, such as Tiger Woods and Mitchel Wie, have created an iconic image for aspiring youth who seek them as role models. This has led to the promotion of golf among children from a young age, as well as attracting those who become interested in playing golf later in life or after retirement.

Compared to other contact sports or high-speed competitions, golf seems relatively safe and free from danger or injuries. However, there are risks and injuries that may be overlooked. Reports from our country and numerous international journals indicate the following:

1. Injuries or dangers unrelated to a golfer's swing:

• Fatal accidents caused by being hit by a golf ball, struck by a golf club, or being pierced by broken golf shafts.
• Fatal lightning strikes.
• Fatal collisions with golf carts.
• Fatal falls after being hit by a golf ball.
• Risks from sun exposure, leading to reports of skin cancer found in 51 professional female golfers, 142 amateur female golfers, 4 professional male golfers, and 11 amateur male golfers.

2. Injuries from golf swings have various causes among golfers:

• Excessive practice or competition.
• Improper swing technique.
• Insufficient physical preparation before playing golf.
• Poor pre-existing health conditions.
• Golfers who pass away during play due to transportation to hospitals or deaths occurring in multiple hospitals.
• Injuries that persist from previous treatments.

Injuries among professional golfers Most injuries among professional golfers, not including issues with incorrect swings, occur due to excessive practice or competition, with approximately 80% of injuries affecting the back and wrists. Other commonly affected areas include the right elbow, shoulder, and knees.

Injuries among amateur golfers Amateur golfers can sustain injuries in almost all parts of the body, depending on which area of the swing is overly utilized. Common injuries include the back, elbows, wrists, shoulders, knees, and neck, respectively. Additionally, severe injuries have also been reported, such as fractures in elderly female golfers' spinal bones.

Newly learning golfers, 18 cases (average of 8 weeks of golfing), had 15 cases of rib fractures and 3 cases of right-sided rib fractures, mostly occurring in ribs 4, 5, and 6, in positions that are relatively towards the back.

Preventing potential harm to others:

• Store and secure golf clubs in a safe place, preventing children from playing with them unsupervised.
• When teaching children to play golf, adults should provide guidance and ensure safety precautions.
• When standing, maintain a distance of at least four club lengths from someone who is swinging a golf club and avoid moving ahead in the direction of the golf ball.

The Problem of Golf Injuries

1. Excessive practice or competition.
2. Previous injuries leading to recurring injuries.
3. Most commonly found in the back, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and knees.
4. Injuries may not be severe but can affect performance and increase the risk of further injuries.

Recommendations:

• Prior to every practice session or competition, warm up the body and stretch the muscles adequately.
• Engage in muscle-strengthening exercises to improve endurance and resilience, such as running and weightlifting.
• Correct swing mechanics to reduce the risk of injuries and improve golf performance by seeking guidance from a golf instructor.
• Choose appropriate golf clubs and footwear.
• When injured, refrain from playing and consult a physician for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment from the beginning.
• Before returning to play, ensure full recovery from injuries and strengthen the muscles.
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Preventing Hazards While Playing Golf Dangers that may arise from sunlight, dehydration, injuries from being struck by a golf ball, hazards from animals on the golf course, or lightning.

Recommendations:

• Golfers should protect themselves from sunlight by using sunscreen, wearing hats, and long-sleeved shirts.
• Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water before and after playing, and drink water during the game without waiting to be thirsty.
• If continuous sweating occurs for more than an hour, consider drinking a sports drink with electrolytes.
• Familiarize yourself with the rules of golf etiquette. Before swinging the golf club, ensure that no one is standing too close, which could pose a danger from the club's swing. Wait until it is certain that players in the group ahead have moved out of range.
• Golfers should avoid entering areas that are potentially dangerous due to animals or poisonous insects.
• In the event of lightning, immediately stop playing golf and leave the course.

References:

1. Farrally, M.R., & Cochran, A.J. (1998). Science and Golf III. Human Kinetics.
2. Jobe, F.W., & Schwab, D.M. (1991). Golf for the mature athlete. Clin Sports Med, 10(2), 269-282.
3. McCarroll, J.R., & Gioe, T.J. (1982). Professional golfers and the price they pay. Physician SportsMed, 10(7), 64-70.
4. McCarroll, J.R., Retting, A., & Shelbourne, K. (1990). Injuries in the amateur golfer. Physician SportsMed, 18(3), 122-126.