Medically Reviewed by Lauren Wall, PA-C
Golf may be a low-impact sport, but it places significant strain on the shoulders — especially with repetitive swings, poor technique, or lack of proper conditioning. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned player, shoulder injuries can sneak up and sideline your game. Fortunately, many of these issues are preventable with the right approach. In this post, we’ll cover four effective ways to avoid golf-related shoulder injuries so you can stay pain-free and keep your swing in top form.
How Does Golf Cause Shoulder Injuries?
Interestingly, golf can cause injuries to both shoulders, yet they may be totally different types of injury. This is because, during a golf swing, the leading shoulder and the non-leading shoulder are subjected to different forces. This difference leads to different pathologies. The former is more prone to subacromial impingement, AC joint pain, posterior instability, and rotator cuff tears, while the latter is more prone to subacromial impingement, SLAP tears, anterior instability, and also rotator cuff tears.
What Can be Done to Avoid Golf-Related Shoulder Injuries?
1. Warm-up
A good warm-up is vital to avoiding unnecessary shoulder injuries. Warming up both shoulders is vital, because – as seen above – both shoulders can be exposed to injury. Not sure which shoulder exercises are best? Speak with our physical therapist in Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, or Morrisville.
2. Nutrition
Ensuring your body is receiving the right types and quantities of nutrients helps to decrease the chance of injury. Conditions such as osteoporosis can be delayed through a well-balanced and appropriate diet.
3. Don’t over-do it!
They say that ‘practice makes perfect’, but over-practicing can have quite the opposite effect. The repetitive nature of golf means that the same joints and muscles are put under strain again, again, and again. Therefore, it’s important to give your body a chance to take sufficient breaks between practices, so that your body, muscles, and tissue are given a chance to rest and regenerate.
4. Ensure you’re using appropriate equipment
Golf clubs come in different weights and sizes. The clubs that a shorter golfer uses differ from those used by a taller golfer. This is why it’s important to make sure you have the right clubs. Ensuring that the clubs match your natural swing will decrease the chance of injury. If you are unsure, you should consult with a professional golf equipment sales person, who should be informed about clubs with are appropriate for you.
What to do if You Suffer from a Golf-Related Shoulder Injury?
Unfortunately, despite our best intentions, sometimes golf-related shoulder injuries happen. When they do, you should seek the best possible medical treatment with the goal of getting back to your pre-injury condition. First of all, assuming your injury is not life-threatening, you should see a doctor who can evaluate the injury and refer you to an appropriate specialist. Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic offers such evaluations at our orthopedic urgent care clinics in Raleigh, Cary, Garner, and Holly Springs. If your injury is serious, you may then be referred to an orthopedic shoulder surgeon.
Schedule an Appointment with Raleigh Orthopaedic
If you’re dealing with pain, discomfort, or an injury, don’t wait to get the care you need. Our expert team at Raleigh Orthopaedic is here to help you feel better, move better, and get back to doing what you love. Schedule an appointment online or call us at 919-781-5600 to be seen—often within 48 hours. For immediate care, we offer walk-in orthopedic urgent care services. Click here for hours and locations.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or medical judgment. Always consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment.