Left Elbow Pain

[Comeback City]

Just some soreness that I can get over on a night's rest, but could this be a swing flaw? I think it comes from keeping my left arm straight on the backswing to the top...is this normal or am I doing something wrong?? If so...are there any remedies? I feel that this affects me a little throughout my round as well...

[wrx_junki]

Have you been hitting the range often?

[opie]

outside of the elbow near the forearm? I get that. Just a little tennis elbow. I ice mine and practice my short game when it gets too annoying. I hit the range A LOT though b/c I don't have time to play as much :(

[HackerD]

Tennis elbow or golfers elbow is a tendonitis (actually epichondylitis) that can plague golfers. If pain is on the outside (lateral) or the inside (medial) of elbow joint near the bony protrusion that could be the problem. Hitting from mats can cause it as well as swing flaws. It can become chronic if not addressed so definitely do something.

[Comeback City]

Well I have been playing more and in the midst of playing 2.5 rounds this week while range/swining my clubs every day basically...I think it may be because I don't turn my body enough and lift my arms up in my backswing (while keeping my left arm straight) putting a lot of pressure on it...something to work on I guess.

[Danattherock]

I would think against the swing flaw. More likely it is from hitting more balls than usual, over doing it, and in general just being out of shape. If you are hitting more balls now than usual, this may be something to consider. Perhaps taking 600 mg of motrin three times a day for 3-4 days would be enough (anti-inflammatory) to get rid of it. Of course, you would need to rest it during that time. If it persist, go see you PCF. You might also consider getting a lesson from a seasoned pro. This is something they may be able to help you with if it is swing related. But I doubt that will be the case.

[jorruss]

Rest will fix you. You have tendinitis most likely. You'll get it from over use, like playing a lot, hitting off mats like someone else suggested, or playing a hard golf course. The shock of the club hitting the ground at over 80 MPH is absorbed by your wrists and arms. Eventually you will get sore. It's not quite the same as tennis elbow, but the cure is the same - Rest. Take a few NSAIDs before and after playing.

Can't say if it's caused by a swing flaw, as most golfers at some point get elbow pain. Vijay was sidelined last year with it. If you are looking for a more long term solution, you might want to try those Sensicore shafts or even graphite, as they absorb more shock than standard steel shafts.

[blackxpress]

I have a lot of trouble with that. I wear an Aircast brace that's made for tennis elbow. It really helps and does not interfere with my swing. You can get them at sporting goods stores for around $10. Well worth it IMO.

[pittpanther]

  Comeback City said:

Just some soreness that I can get over on a night's rest, but could this be a swing flaw? I think it comes from keeping my left arm straight on the backswing to the top...is this normal or am I doing something wrong?? If so...are there any remedies? I feel that this affects me a little throughout my round as well...

If you are talking about tennis/golfers elbow, then the other responses are correct. It's tendonitis (specifically, epichondylitis).

The medical literature is VERY discouraging for this condition. The "cure" is to stop playing, rest the elbow, and ice. No one seems to be able to explain why some people get it and others don't. Nor can anyone point to specific swing faults that would cause it. I have struggled with this in my left elbow as well. For me it doesn't flare up while actually playing on the course. It usually occurs after being on the range. My opinion (and it's just an opinion) is that when on the range, I get tired and some flaw comes into my swing that causes the problem. This doesn't happen on the course, because there is so much more time between shots.

[opie]

  pittpanther said:

I have struggled with this in my left elbow as well. For me it doesn't flare up while actually playing on the course. It usually occurs after being on the range. My opinion (and it's just an opinion) is that when on the range, I get tired and some flaw comes into my swing that causes the problem. This doesn't happen on the course, because there is so much more time between shots.

More than likely a lot more swings are taken in a shorter time frame on the range.

On the course you hit and then rest for a few minutes before taking the next shot and then after that you're chipping a putting next (hopefully) I watched a dude yesterday hammer out a large bucket of balls in 15 minutes with his driver. he had to hit 7 to my 1 and I concentrate on slowing down and going through my routine on the range

[glllambo]

I had same problem (Wrost, can't move) many years ago so I went to see my family doctor and I took a shot of steroid. Two days later I'm driving my ball 300 yard on the fairway. Amazing stuff.

[wrx_junki]

For me it mostly is due to hitting off the mats and of course hitting range balls way too fast. I think I will mainly work on my driver next time I am at the range.

[rstyle]

I have been battling this for several months on and off.
Hitting lots of balls at the range is without doubt the most aggravating factor.
I keep two ice packs in the freezer and as soon as I get home I put them on.

My work is problem because I am on a computer all days using a mouse and a microphone. Bought a trackball mouse and some other gadgets to try to improve.

The problem with steroids is that it is an artificial improvement. It eliminates the pain and soreness but the tendon is still injured. You have to rest the elbow and eliminate activities that cause the problem

I actually think it has improved my game and my scores have gone down because it makes me swing easier.

[zipazoid]

Hey, reviving this thread cuz I'm going through this right now. About 3 months back I moved from Orlando to Miami & did it all myself (which was a mistake - I'm getting too old for that kind of labor). As a result, both of my elbow tendons started hurting, and they still do.

Yesterday I went to the range (hitting off mats) & my right elbow tendon hurt like hell (I'm left-handed, so the equivalent is left elbow for righties).

It's so frustrating cuz the pain just lingers. Like I said, that was 3 months ago when i initially hurt is while moving & I still have it. And what I read is, only rest & ice will remedy it.

What about one of those black 'sleeves' I see players sometimes use? Anyone have experience with those?

[Spitfisher]

Chances are its likely caused by your left elbow being bent in your swing and some over use- too many rounds or practice within a short period, Vibration travels up the fore arm and stops at the elbow, if it were straight it would be dissipated over the entire length of the arm, ice a couple times a day, rest for 3-5 days. If you take an OTC pain killer, alternate each brands key ingredient to something different...good luck, I could be wrong on the assessment, but with so much golf left have it looked at or take it easy.

Zipzoid how old are you?

[zipazoid]

54. Have played for 44 years. 5 handicap.

And I haven't played that much lately, mainly due to moving, getting settled & learning a new job. I'm now at the point of having more time on my hands & it sucks that this may actually be a performance-impacting injury & not just discomfort.

Thanks for the advice - I'll start icing it & using OTC painkillers...that may be part of it - I used to pop an ibu each morning just for general pains of getting old...got away from doing that. I also carry ibu in my bag.

Far as swing flaw, I guess that's possible. Haven't seen a vid of my swing in years. lol - a friend took this one of me last month in the Keys - don't know if you can discern my arm position by it, but I did complain about the pain after the second ball -

[Spitfisher]

same age here and 3.5 handicap, currently going through left shoulder pain ( I am RH'd) with  PT. No idea,No trauma I can remember just woke up one morning and had little twinge. Definitely has impacted my game, I haven't broke 78 in 6 weeks, seemed to be in the 82-85+ range, just no aim and distances are off.

good luck

Ooops didn't know you were lefty.....tough video to judge, from the opposite angle would have been better

[zipazoid]

It's likely not swing flaw, otherwise I would have had this issue years ago. No, it all started with over-exerting from moving 3 months ago. It's just frustrating cuz it just lingers. And then yesterday it flared up while practicing.