Injuries are part of every sport, and golf is no different. The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) performed a study of 32,000 golfers to find out the most common golf injuries. Not surprisingly low back pain was the most common injury, followed by left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, and left knee pain, right knee, hips, and left wrist.

Regardless of injury, the key for the golfer is to return the course appropriately! Return too fast and your chance of re-injury is higher, return too slow and your passion for the game and lack of time on the course will drive you crazy. I will now share with you lessons I have learned from my physical therapy career of over 27 years.

Slow and Steady Wins The Race

After injury, depending on the severity of the injury, I may keep you away from the golf activities for two or three weeks. This will give a chance for your inflammation to calm down. I know you don’t like hearing this, but we must let the inflammation settle down first. The “no pain no gain” theory is a bunch of you know what!

At the end of those two to three weeks, I will get you back to the course…I mean the driving range! Start at the driving range and hit 25 to 30 balls. Use your nine iron, pitching wedge, and gap wedge. Nice easy swings and just see how your body feels.

It is so important to limit your visit driving range rehab session to 25-30 balls. Even if you feel great…STOP after hitting 25-30 balls! You need to know that, unless we are seriously damaging our body, the inflammation and pain won’t start until 12-24 hours after the activity. This is why I need you to wait 48 hours before you go back to the range!

Assuming no increase in pain or significant soreness, get back to the range 2 days later. Now hit 40-45 balls. This time, instead of just using your wedges, let’s get you to use your seven iron, your six iron, your five iron or your five hybrid whichever you carry in your bag. Since you increased your physical activity level, I need you to wait again for about 48 hours.

Monitor your symptoms and if you did good with hitting 40-45 ball, I want you to get back to the range one more time and this time, hit 60-70 balls, take your time. Don’t rapid fire out the balls. You can now progress to using your longer clubs. Start using your three wood and your driver (after you are warmed up!).

Wait about 48 hours and if you didn’t have any significant soreness then my advice is let’s get you back to the course! I know this puts a smile on your face!

Back to the Course

You are now ready to return to your paradise…the golf course! But hold on trigger, don’t be in a rush. The first time you are back on the course, no matter what you think, I will tell you to play nine holes only. I know it’s no fun to play nine holes, right? It’s no fun. You’re out there, it’s beautiful, you’re not having any pain and you think “I’m going to play 18”!

Please listen to me and don’t do that. Go out and play nine holes only. See how your body responds to it. If you have no significant soreness and no increase in pain then you’re ready to try 18. But just so you are aware, a jump from 9 to 18 may be too much.

And this will make your really mad, but…if you’re body is telling you to stop after hole 13 or 14 then stop! Next time you go out you can have the goal of completing the round!

I would also tell you that when you get on the course following an injury to make sure to give yourself a good lie. Give yourself a good little foot wedge so you have a good lie. The one thing is, I don’t want you hitting off a bad lie. I don’t want one foot in the sand trap, one foot out of the sand trap. You get the picture, be kind to yourself!

The first couple of times back on the course, your playing partners will have to understand that you’re rehabilitating from an injury. And I want to give your body the best chance to enjoy that round. So you get a better lie and everyone’s going to have to accept that.

The 19th Hole

You have now done it! You successfully completed rehab from an injury and you have completed a full round of golf! Now work on what I feel is one of the most important aspects of golf…developing friendships! Sit down with your friends in the clubhouse and enjoy the beverage of your choice! Be proud of yourself for what you have just accomplished!

If your injury is keeping you from the game you love, reach out to a TPI Certified Physical Therapist. We are the physical therapists who have a passion for the game, just like you!

iMove TelePT Golf is here for you. We will get you on the right track, all while you are in the safety and convenience of your own home. For more information, contact our Founder and Physical Therapist Dr. Michael Gorman at mgorman@imovephysicaltherapy.com or message him at (636) 578-3649.