Most of us have heard about Tiger Woods' left knee injury in 2007. He initially refused surgery and continued to amass wealth. Knee injuries are common among golfers. The twisting and shifting weight that occurs during a continuous drive places an abnormal amount of strain on the knee joints, making them extremely vulnerable to knee ailments, most notably meniscus sprains.
Golf and Knee Injuries
As a result, it's not surprising that a properly fitted knee brace could become a golfer's best friend. Nonetheless, it begs the question of whether golf is bad for the knees? A study published in the journal Sports Medicine found that up to 18% of professional and amateur golfers suffer from knee pain.
Statistics, on the other hand, are not always as simple as they appear. A variety of factors contribute to this, including age, damages due to aging, and regular activities of normal or sexual life etc. If you are not careful in play golf game, not only injuries in knee, you can face up with the damage of having injuries in shoulders, hands,...
Protecting Your Knee
The good news is that many of these characteristics can be modified to reduce risk.
This is where we come in: to arm you with the knowledge you need to avoid knee pain and maintain joint health. The following suggestions may help you avoid golf-related injury:
- If you have mild knee pain but can still play, start with short strokes, chipping, and putting until you gain confidence in your body's ability to handle it. Examine your emotions on a regular basis and make any necessary changes.
- If you are having trouble with your swing, consider taking half or three-quarter strokes and simplifying your golf game.
- As you practice your long shot, gradually increase the number of strokes you take. Begin with 10 and gradually increase, paying close attention to any discomfort or swelling.
- If you have had a knee injury or surgery in the past, start with a golf cart and gradually progress to walking, but only if you're able. This varies depending on the golf course, as some are significantly more uneven than others. Prior to teeing off, make a game plan.
- When swinging, spread your feet slightly wider to reduce turning, especially on your lead leg. Your knee will be less stressed as a result.
- Maintain a more upright stance while swinging the club to reduce knee bending and the possibility of knee discomfort.
- Short irons should be used to reduce knee strain.
- To reduce twisting stress on the knee, wear soft-spiked golf shoes.
- To avoid stiffness and maintain strength, stretch and strengthen your muscles moderately before and after your game of golf.
- To avoid twisting your knee as you get older and develop more aches and pains, use lighter clubs with flexible shafts.
- While longer clubs make it easier to loft the ball, this should be done on an individual basis to ensure that it does not significantly alter your swing.
- Allow your knees to roll slightly inward when taking your golf stance to relieve stress on them. Maintain a chair-like position for your buttocks, with your knees no further forward than your toes.
- STOP PLAYING IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE INJURED YOUR KNEE OR IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. If the problem persists, see a doctor.
Summary
No doubt Golf is a sport having more chances to injure your knee. So, be careful about your knee and other body parts and protect them if you want to play for a longer period of time. Knee injuries can contribute to minor to major surgeries which can cause you to stop playing golf the game you love the most to play. So, be sure to protect your knees first. If you have mild knee pain but can still play, start with short strokes, chipping, and putting until you gain confidence in your body's ability to handle it. If you are having trouble with your swing, consider taking half or three-quarter strokes and simplifying your golf game. Maintain a chair-like position for your buttocks, with your knees no further forward than your toes. If you have had a knee injury or surgery in the past, start with a golf cart and gradually progress to walking, but only if you're able. Prior to teeing off, spread your feet slightly wider to reduce turning, especially on your lead leg. Maintain a more upright stance while swinging the club to reduce knee bending and the possibility of discomfort. Short irons should be used to reduce knee strain and wear soft-spiked golf shoes. To avoid stiffness and maintain strength, stretch and strengthen your muscles before and after your game of golf. Use lighter clubs with flexible shafts to avoid twisting your knee as you get older and develop more aches and pains. Stop playing if you believe you have injured your knee or feel uncomfortable. If you're practicing your long shot, gradually increase the number of strokes you take. This should be done on an individual basis to ensure that it does not significantly alter your swing. If you believe you have injured your knee or are feeling uncomfortable, stop playing and see a doctor.
