Golf isn’t the most physically demanding sport on the planet but it does require players to put their bodies in a number of very straining positions. From the shoulders and hips, to the back and neck, even some of the fittest golfers experience injuries from time to time (See: Tiger Woods).
Sometimes, these injuries are caused by single instances, such as a pulled muscle on an unbalanced swing, or a sprained wrist caused by hitting from a heavy lie; however, most of the time they occur due to simple wear and tear over time and the best way to prevent them is to simply listen to your body.
When your body hurts, it means something. Small aches and pains are a normal part of life but if you notice something is continuously bothering you, don’t ignore it. If you sleep awkwardly and wake up with a stiff neck it’s probably not going to sideline you for very long. But if you find that you can’t make a swing without it bothering you, it might be a good idea to take the day off.
In fact, if you can’t make a normal swing without any part of your body hurting or feeling uncomfortable, it might be a good idea to take a day off. Sometimes small aches can be a result of being tight and they can usually be worked out by some simple stretching. And not just stretching before rounds, but after rounds as well. If after you’ve loosened up, you’re still feeling uncomfortableness, don’t push it.
This attitude is even more important to adopt when working out or lifting weights. Golfers aren’t bodybuilders. They’re suppose to be lean and flexible, not big and bulky. So if working out is a part of your weekly routine, use low weights at high reps. In addition to being less prone to injury, you won’t have to worry about your muscles getting in the way of your swing. Body weight exercises such as push ups, sit ups and self squats are good exercises to start with.
Most injuries that occur in the weight room are caused by simply ignoring bodily limits. When you do lift something that’s too heavy, you’re forced to compensate with improper form. This puts a great deal of stress on your joints and in most instances produces less than optimal results in terms of your strength and conditioning.
So whether you’re on the golf course, in the weight room or just out doing some yard work, listen to your body; it knows its limits. And if you do ignore them, you’re going to find yourself meeting your buddies at the bar after their round instead of playing with them.