1. Matt Serlo, M.P.T. Jacksonville, FL.
Golf Injuries
Matt Serlo, M.P.T.
Jacksonville, FL.

2. The Typical Golfer Competitive in nature
Active and fitness-minded individuals
Swings too hard
Perceives golf as a passive sport
Eager to improve

3. Causes of Injuries Limited Flexibility Decreased Strength Poor Posture
Balance
Inappropriate Warm-up
Inconsistent Swing
Swings Too Hard!!

4. Anatomy of Golf – Shoulder
Gleno-humeral Joint
Primary movers (pec, delt, lats)
Stabilizers / RTC mm’s
Motions include;
Flexion – Extension
ABDuction – ADDuction
Horizontal ABD – ADD
External – Internal Rotation
Circumduction

5. Most Common Golfing Injuries
Shoulder
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis - irritation/ inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons in shoulder
Rotator Cuff Strain/Tear - muscle or tendon in shoulder

6. Shoulder Injuries:Factors
Lack of ROM/flexibility
External rotation, horizontal adduction
Thoracic posture
Strength of Rotator Cuff
Arthritic conditions
Joint integrity hypo/hypermobility

7. Shoulder Motion Hor Add: 130 degrees (lead) ER: 100 degrees (back)
Causes if limited
-Steep swing
-Elbow breakdown
-Lateral slide
-Improper grip

8. Anatomy of Golf – Forearm
Ulna & Radius
Flexor mm group
Extensor mm group
Deviators
Motions include;
Wrist-Finger Flexion – Extension
Forearm Pronation – Supination
Radial – Ulnar Deviation

9. Most Common Golfing Injuries
Hand / Wrist
DeQuervain’s Syndrome - tendinitis of the thumb extensors
Hook of Hamate Fractures - small wrist bone on palmer side
Ligament sprains
Muscle/Tendon strains

10. Wrist and Hand Injuries
Lack of Range of Motion
Thumb extension or radial deviation
Inappropriate grip
too much or too little
Trauma
hitting the ground

11. Wrist Motion Back wrist extension: 70 degrees
Front wrist radial deviation: 20 degrees
Front thumb extension: 50 degrees
If restricted: unable to hold angle-club speed -square clubface

12. Most Common Golfing Injuries
Elbow
Lateral Elbow - tendinitis strain to lead arm at wrist extensor muscles
Medial Elbow - stretch/sprain of back arm inside ligaments

13. Elbow injuries Improper grip Valgus Stress-trauma/repetition
unnatural grip not allowing hands to move properly will cause stress at both wrist and elbow
Valgus Stress-trauma/repetition
Supination/Pronation

14. Anatomy of Golf – Thigh Femur and Patella Quads, HS, ADD, ABD
Motions include;
Flexion – Extension
ABD – ADD
Patellar Alignment

15. Most Common Golfing Injuries
Knee
Ligament damage - lead knee twist on follow-through with poor balance
Cartilage damage - rotation & extension during follow-through
Tendonitis: I.T. band

16. Knee Injuries:Causes Lack of range of motion
Lack of stability in the knee -ACL (lead) -LCL (back)
Quad strength-static/dynamic
Proprioception
Improper swing mechanics

18. Anatomy of Golf – Lower Leg
Tibia, Fibula, Talus, Calcaneus, etc.
Posterior mm’s (gastroc-soleus)
Ant/Lateral mm’s (Ant Tib/Peroneal)
Motions include;
Flexion – Extension
Inversion – Eversion
Supination - Pronation

19. Ankle Ligament damage - Lead ankle twist on follow through
Inflammation: Plantar Fascitis, Achilles Tendonitis

20. Ankle Injuries:Causes
Lack of ROM/flexibility
Improper swing mechanics
Pronated or supinated feet
Improper shoe wear
Proprioception

21. Anatomy of Golf – Cervical Spine
Seven Cervical Vertebrea
Spinal muscles
Motions Include;
Flexion
Extension
Side Bend (L&R)
Rotation (L&R)

22. Cervical Injuries:Causes
Lack of sufficient ROM
Trauma caused by improper swing mechanics
Eye Dominance

23. Cervical Motion Optimal: 90 degrees
If restricted: Drop left shoulder lateral tilt of head-lose of spinal angle -lateral shift of hips

24. Anatomy of Golf – Hip SI, Ilium, Femur Anterior mm’s Posterior mm’s
Lateral mm’s & connective tissue
Motions include;
Flexion – Extension
ABDuction – ADDuction
External – Internal Rotation
Circumduction

25. Most Common Golfing Injuries
Hip
Inflammation: Bursitis, Tendonitis-Lead leg.
DJD.

26. Hip Injuries: Factors Lack of ROM/Flexibility Decreased Strength
-rotators, abductors
Poor Balance
Poor Posture

27. Anatomy of Golf – Trunk Thoracic & Lumbar Spine, Ribs
Anterior – Abdominals (3)
Posterior – Paraspinals – Rotatory
Motions include;
Flexion – Extension
Side Bending (L&R)
Rotation (L&R)

28. Most Common Golfing Injuries
Back
Muscular strains/spasms - erector spinae muscle group
Ligament sprains
Vertebral disc damage/displacement
-Herniated disc - disc protrudes out from back
-Ruptured disc - disc nucleus ruptures

29. Back Injuries Improper Address position (not in neutral spine)
Lack of ROM or flexibility
Abdominal Integrity
Proprioception
Medical history

30. Spine Angles Primary: 40-45 degrees Secondary: 8-12 degrees
Benefits of maintaining angles during swing: -minimize lateral movement -maintain correct swing path -maintain balance: COG within BOS -decreased stress on the body

33. Thank You