There aren’t too many golfers in the world that can’t say they haven’t experienced some sort of
soft tissue injury as a result of playing golf. The number one golf related injury is the back,
followed by the wrist and elbow. But one region of the body that seems to have its share of
serious problems is the shoulder.
Due to its anatomical complexity, and its extreme mobility the shoulder is highly vulnerable to
injury because of its poor stability The shoulder is a ball and socket joint, while the shoulder
complex is made up of the humerus (arm bone), the clavicle, and the scapula (the shoulder
blade). The glenohumeral joint is the unstable portion of the shoulder complex and is susceptible
to anterior instability due to forward translation of the shoulder because of muscle imbalances. It
is reinforced by the rotator cuff (The Infraspinatus, Supraspinatus, Subscapularis and Teres
minor), which holds the head of the humerus down in its glenoid cavity. Other actions include
internal and external rotation, and abduction.
During the swing the rotator cuff muscles are highly active from start to finish, having to help
accelerate and decelerate movement which makes them vulnerable to injury. If you are a right
handed golfer, during the backswing it is the right rotator cuff that will be limited into external
rotation and completing the follow through it is the left rotator cuff that is limited to externally
rotate fully if there are flexibility restrictions. Other shoulder muscles that are involved are the
lattisimus Dorsi, Teres Major and the pectoralis major. It is important to have good flexibility
and strength in these muscle groups in order to reduce the chances for serious injury.
Some of the injuries that can occur from hitting too many divots, coming out of the rough too
hard, digging yourself out from the sand and improper mechanics just to name a few, are
adhesive capsulitis, impingement syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, and sprains to the articulation of
bones. . All of these conditions if untreated can lead to more serious rotator cuff problems.
There are 3 grades of strains indicated for the rotator cuff that is helpful to know, so that you
don’t underestimate the extent of the injury. Grade 1- there is a mild tearing of fibers that has
little or no pain with no loss of range of motion. Grade 2- Moderate tearing of fibers with loss of
motion and moderate to severe pain. Grade 3- is a severe tear of the muscle away from the bone,
causing severe loss of motion and very painful. Some of the signs and symptoms of a tear
include a noticeable clicking or loud pop, pain with overhead movements, reaching out to the
side and behind your back, there may be a deep ache in the shoulder that just won’t go away.
Initially treating the injury with ice compression and elevation for the first 72 hours is important
in order to decrease swelling and pain. If symptoms worsen, seek a physician’s advice. Gaining
back lost range of motion, and regaining strength and function are of important value to the
individual.
The problem that most of the shoulder clients that I have seen is that they wait until the problem
worsens or inhibits their swing before they will do anything about it. They figure that they will
heal like before and so they will keep on playing until they can’t properly function.
Working out intelligently by targeting your weak areas by adding core strengthening exercises is
of great value to the golfer, for it will help the shoulder learn how to stabilize during static and
dynamic movements.
So in conclusion, if you are experiencing stiffness, soreness or pain and have noticed that the
shoulder isn’t as strong as it once was it would be in your best interest to seek out medical
attention so that the area doesn’t worsen. Also if golf is the cause of your pain please be smart
and get some help from a golf professional who can evaluate your swing. Playing golf with a
healthy body should be your goal and that becomes a commitment on your part!
