Golf injuries...major downer

[golfro]

A month or so ago, I injured my upper back while extensively demoing drivers...Couldn't move my neck, turn my neck or anything. It's better now but man that was painful.

A week ago, I was at the range with my dad who was visiting and I somehow managed to tear my ligament(?) or tendon(?) on my right rib side after hitting a couple buckets. Needless to say, I haven't been able to hit the range since then and don't foresee it getting better for another week or two.

My dad, who has been golfing for 30 years now says right side rib injuries are very common for golfers...with some as bad as breaking their ribs from overly torquing and twisting their body.

Lesson learned the hard way...Again, I have to keep reminding myself that I am not 18 years old anymore and I have to properly stretch every part of my body before I touch a ball.

what are some golf related injuries you've experienced and how did you recover from it?

[DavidFehertysBike]

Ive had neck, both shoulders, wrists, groin, heel, and hammy injuries. Ive also have had sciatic inflammation and a rib cage pull, which hurt like a bitch. Rest and some kind of anti-inflammatory has worked most of the time. I have a floppy labrum in my right shoulder that i deal with. When it flares up its difficult for me to get through the ball.

[kpaulhus]

I tweaked a muscle on the right side of my neck about a month ago. It is still getting better, but at least I can play golf now.

[sean_miller]

I've had the following injuries:
- Torn up scorecard
- Pulled driver
- bleeding strokes
- Ruptured wallet
- Broken spirit
- Crushed hopes
- Bruised ego
- lower back against a wall
- head on collision with reality

All the usuals.

[longdrive23]

I've played golf for about 4 years, dint have any major issues. But recently, I've hurt my lower back after playing 2 rounds in a weekend followed by 3 more rounds through next week. The doc says I've strained my thoracolumbar fascia and its not disc related. I have pain when I try to bend when brushing my teeth which gets better as the week goes. The treatment is just rest and stretching.

Due to this, I'm unable to golf, which is an obvious frustration, especially now in the summer where the days are the longest!

I have realized and cannot emphasize the importance of stretching before practice and the rounds. 10-15 mins of stretching and warm up is critical. Also, daily stretching helps keep all the muscles fit.

[Ole_Tom_Morris]

Pinched a nerve trying to swing a 50" driver hard; numbness on left side of left leg foot to hip for a while, like I'd had a stroke.

[KD Epic]

Going through an injury now, which is most frustrating as a 20 year old. I suppose we ALL should stretch before swinging. Anyways I have a muscle strain between my spine and shoulder blade on my left side (I'm a righty) that is taking ages to heal. It feels about as good now as it ever as, however before when it started to feel this good I went and played golf the next day -- mistake. Then I waited another week and played two rounds that weekend. Then I waited 3 more days and played another round. It was hurting BAD during that round. I can't go to the driving range I can't take lessons I basically can't do anything. So here I am, almost back to two weeks of nothing (tried this immediately after the injury but got impatient) itching to get out on the driving range.

Unfortunately, though, the driving range is the worst place for a recovering injury because unlike a round, the muscle is getting constant use with much less time in between strokes. I'm hoping it's better by this time next week, but needless to say I'm done pushing it.

I also gave up going to the chiropractor over it. Probably went 10 times since injuring it to no avail.

[JetFan1983]

I had a back injury last year that cost me the entire 2009 golf season. It was brutal to say the least, but its healed now and I feel pretty good. I'm nursing a lower, left abdominal injury at the moment, but that should be fine in about a week or less.

I still haven't played 18 holes in about 14 months now. It is what it is. I don't want to make a fool of myself out there, so I've spent all my golf time on the grass range and par 3 course working on my ball striking mostly. It's really improved but I haven't practiced with any club longer than my 5-iron yet. I'll do that soon just so I can get that much needed 18 hole round off my back, but right now, I'm really enjoying grooving my short irons and wedges.

I also started working on a Stack and Tilt swing in about early March after an entire winter of reading and studying it, so that's been a big change for me. So far I'm loving what its done for me, and I'm confident that once I start playing rounds this summer, it will be reflected in my scores.

So, in conclusion, from someone who has dealt with a major injury before, take the rest days you need to let it heal. Anti-inflammatories can be a great help. Use ice off and on (especially after activities that use that particular injured body part). Be patient. Stressing about it doesn't help. Trust me, I tried that one

[Uncle Peter]

I've had the following injuries:

Boy I love this guy's sense of humor

[srjorion]

I'm nursing a hurt lower back right now myself. What really stinks is I'm about to have two weeks at work that are going to be very slow and I would have a ton of time to practice and play. For now I'll stick to chipping and putting to give my back plenty of time to heal.

[Meddle]

A month or so ago, I injured my upper back while extensively demoing drivers...Couldn't move my neck, turn my neck or anything. It's better now but man that was painful.

I think I pulled the same muscle in my back a couple months ago, couldn't move my head or neck and it was really painful. I got through it by taking 4 ibuprofin twice a day. Seriously, you would think in golf you wouldn't get injured so much. I played basketball and football in high school and get screwed up more golfing.

[longdrive23]

Pinched a nerve trying to swing a 50" driver hard; numbness on left side of left leg foot to hip for a while, like I'd had a stroke.

How long was your recovery?

I have a slight pulse like feel going down my left thigh down to the knee. Its been a week and the lower back muscles are still not fully recovered, hoping to be ready for golf next weekend.

[Jonnydanger81]

I've had numerous injuries from snowboarding, basketball and baseball so there really isn't any room for golf injuries. After "dropping in" off a garage while snowboarding in Colorado and really messing up my back, I pay very close attention to constantly keeping my lower back and legs strong.

[WUTiger]

1985: Had first back injury of life while playing golf. Doctor tells me to carry bag and walk whenever possible to strengthen my back muscles.
1999: April - lousy softie nubbie non-metal spikes give way while taking lesson. Do a standing split, pull a groin muscle, can't exercise at all for 8 weeks.
1999: September - While practicing for a Labor Day tournament, I'm coming out of the rough with a 3-iron punch. I hit a submerged tree root, snap my 3i shaft, and badly jam my left elbow. Get my 3i reshafted, but have to drop out of tourney at 27-hole mark because I can't keep my left arm straight.
2002: June - Playing my last round of golf in Oklahoma before moving back to St. Louis area. I pull drive into the left rough, and while walking to ball while carrying bag I step into a gopher hole and injure my left knee (miniscus). Reinjure miniscus on Christmas eve when I jump down off a ladder and land wrong.
2009: June - Injure my hip and get an abdominal muscle tear while doing heavy yard work; find out I'm hurting two days later when I try to play golf; end up getting abdominal surgery at Christmas time.

[tomohr]

I have started stretching every day... I have found that the key to staying healthy, especially in golf... is to take time to loosen up your muscles, that way you are ready for everything. Also, after stretching you will get more production from them and hit the ball farther. I'm not making this up, its science