GOLF INJURIES - AN OVERVIEW

Over the years, golf has become an increasingly popular sport, attract ing new players of almost all ages and socioeconomic groups. Golf is p ractised by up to 10 to 20% of the overall adult population in many co untries. Beyond the enjoyment of the sport itself, the health-related benefits of the exercise involved in walking up to 10km and of relaxin g in a pleasant natural environment are often reported to be the main motives for adhering to this activity by recreational golfers. Golf is considered to be a moderate risk activity for sports injury; however, excessive time spent golfing and technical deficiencies lead to overu se injuries. These are the 2 main causes of injuries among golfers, an d each has specific differences in the pattern in which they occur in professional and amateur golfers. Golf injuries originate either from overuse or from a traumatic origin and primarily affect the elbow, wri st, shoulder and the dorsolumbar sites. Professional and weekend golfe rs, although showing a similar overall anatomical distribution of inju ries by body segment, tend to present differences in the ranking of in jury occurrence by anatomical site; these differences can be explained by their playing habits and the biomechanical characteristics of thei r golf swing. Many of these injuries can be prevented by a preseason, and year-round, sport-specific conditioning programme including: (i) m uscular strengthening, flexibility and aerobic exercise components; (i i) a short, practical, pre-game warm-up routine; and (iii) the adjustm ent of an individual's golf swing to meet their physical capacities an d limitations through properly supervised golf lessons. Finally, the c orrect selection of golf equipment and an awareness of the environment al conditions and etiquette of golf can also contribute to making golf a safe and enjoyable lifetime activity.