The National Golf Foundation reports there are approximately 36.9 million golfers in the United States, averaging more than 500 million rounds of golf each year. Golf is one of the most popular sports in the country with participants of all ages, genders, and skill levels. Interestingly, unlike many other sports, golfers tend to spend more time playing the sport as they age.
This is great news because several studies have noted that golf gives seniors an excellent means to not only work toward physical activity goals but also to engage socially with their peers—both of which can benefit longevity. In fact, a February 2023 study found that playing a round of golf without the aid of a golf cart has a greater effect on cholesterol and blood sugar levels than 3.7 miles of vigorous walking. The American Heart Association’s Dr. Donald M. Lloyd-Jones once wrote, “The regular exercise, time spent outside enjoying nature, social interaction, and even the friendly competition of a round of golf are all elements that can foster mental and physical wellbeing… The American Heart Association recommends most people get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week. Golfing qualifies as a moderate-intensity exercise, specifically if you are walking an 18-hole course, carrying your golf clubs.”
Golf also benefits older adults with health challenges. A survey of 459 golfers with osteoarthritis revealed that that over 90% rated their health as good, very good, or excellent, compared with just 64% of non-golfer osteoarthritis patients. The data also show that golfers are three times less likely to report severe psychological distress. A study published in 2021 found that golfing provides similar benefits to Parkinson’s patients as tai chi, but participants were three times more likely to continue to golf after the study, which is important for maintaining those benefits!
Unfortunately, improper swing mechanics, inadequate warm-up routines, overuse, and equipment failures can result in acute injuries to golfers. By some estimates, low back pain accounts for roughly half of golf-related injuries. In one study, researchers observed that nearly all golfers with sacroiliac joint dysfunction also had mechanical low back pain. This demonstrates the importance of examining the whole patient and not just focusing on the area of chief complaint. The second most common part of the body injured in golfers is the upper extremities (shoulder, elbow, and wrist in particular). Ironically, golfers are three times more likely to develop lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) than medial epicondylitis, which is also known as golfer’s elbow.
The good news is that chiropractic care, particularly a multimodal approach that includes manual therapies and specific exercises, offers an excellent treatment option for golfers with musculoskeletal pain. As with most musculoskeletal conditions, the sooner you seek care, the more likely (and faster) you’ll achieve a satisfactory outcome.
