There is nothing more frustrating than driving to the golf club looking forward to the day, but before you reach the first tee you pull a muscle in your neck and have to pull out of the game. Make sure you warm up correctly and avoid sudden twisting moves.
Stretch to Avoid Neck and Back Injuries
The neck and back can be strained incredibly easily if not warmed up correctly. Before you leave the house make sure you carry out some simple warm up exercises.
- Neck Rolls – Stand upright and gently roll the head round so you ease the neck muscles.
- Back – Put a club behind your shoulders and then, keeping the spine straight, start to turn back and forwards to ease the back muscles.
- Legs – Stand upright and gently bend form the knees. Carefully at first and build up as you feel the knee joints easing.
- Arms and shoulders – Stand upright and go through the arm actions of the four different swimming strokes; breast, butterfly, crawl, back
- Hands and forearms – Rotate the wrists and open and close the fingers.
Avoid Twisting and Pulled Muscles
Particularly in the morning nearly every move you make can trigger an injury, even sneezing and brushing teeth. But here are some of the most important ones you should take care when carrying out.
- Picking up the battery for your electric trolley without bending the knees to lower your body.
- Struggling out the front door with your golf bag.
- Straining your neck when looking out the rear window when reversing
- Getting out of the car too quickly when you reach the golf club
- Hoisting out the golf bag from the boot
- Carrying a heavy golf bag too far on one shoulder
- Hitting a driver on the range instead of starting off with a wedge
How to Avoid Injury When Swinging
- A poor stance affects the swing and the way a golfer is able to turn. Have the occasional lesson to make sure you haven’t crept into any bad habits at address
- The golf swing requires a turning of the body, not a tilting motion where the spine rocks back and forward - known as a reverse pivot. Nothing is more potentially damaging to the back and neck during a golf swing.
- Make sure you have clean spikes in your shoes. Slipping on wet grassy slopes is a regular occurrence at golf clubs and can so easily be avoided.
- Lastly – at the end of the round have a few stretches to sort out any kinks that might have crept in during your round.
Related Article- Train Hands to Release Golf Club - PGA Tip
John Hoskison - John is a class 'A' member of the British PGA and author of the acclaimed book 'Inside - One Man's Experience of Prison'.
