I wanted to let you guys know about the common injuries that can happen to golfers.  By being aware of these injuries you can take the necessary measures to minimize your risk for these golf injuries.

The most common golf injuries occur in the lower back, elbows, shoulders, hands and wrists, and are generally defined as either cumulative (overuse) or acute (traumatic) injuries. The impact and stress of the repetitive motion of the swing is sometimes hard on the muscles and joints, especially if you ignore the early warning signs of an injury.

Below are a list of the common golf injuries and some links for more explanations.

Elbow

• Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
  The most common elbow pain in golfers, it occurs over time from repeated use of the muscles of the arm and forearm.
• Bursitis of the Elbow
• Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
  Similar to Golfer’s Elbow as it also occurs over time from repeated use of the muscles of the arm and forearm.

Back

• Muscle Strains of the Back
• Low Back Pain
• Herniated Disks
• Backaches and Stress

Shoulder

• Shoulder Tendinitis, Bursitis, and Impingement Syndrome
  These conditions are similar and often occur together.
• Torn Rotator Cuff
• Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
• Shoulder Separation
• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
• Shoulder Instability
• Glenohumeral Arthritis

Wrist and Hand

• Wrist Sprains
• Finger Fractures
• Wrist tendinitis
• Trigger finger
• Tenosynovitis

Miscellaneous Golf Pains and Golf Injuries

Blisters

Knee Pain

Plantar Fasciitis
I hope this give you an idea of the common injuries from playing golf.  If you already have one of the injuries about, I hope the links will lead you an answer of how to heal your injury.

Let me know how this helps.

Is your New Year’s resolution to become a better golfer?

My New Year’s Golf Resolutions for 2009:

1. Three putt less
2. Practice my short game more
3. Play more rounds
4. Drop 10 lbs. and get fit

To help me reach my fitness goal of losing 10 lbs., I have checked into this new fitness program that will work good for my busy schedule. This fitness program claims that I can “Burn Fat in Only 10 Minutes”.

You can download a free 10-Minute Turbulence Training Workout Program now!

Also, for those interested in checking out the entire program, Turbulence Training is offering a 21 day trial for only $4.95.  This is a small price for me to check out this program in order to meet my resolution of losing 10 lbs.  Check out the 21 day free trial!

I wish everyone a happy and golf filled New Year.
Leave a comment below and share your New Year Resolutions for 2009.

I found a great drill that has helped me to make sure I have the correct posture when I am addressing the golf ball.  This drill will help you like it has helped me.

The drill is called the Hip Hinge Drill. 

Hip Hinge Drill

There is an excellent video that demonstrates how to correctly do this drill over at Better Golf with Fitness.

Check out the Hip Hinge Drill and get in to the correct address position to hammer the golf ball.

Balance is an important part of a great golf swing.  When you address the golf ball you must be in a balanced position before you start your golf swing.  During your golf swing your shift your weight while at the same time keeping your balance.  Finally, you need to finish your golf swing in a balanced position.

You can see that you need to stability and control during the entire golf swing if you are going to have a successful golf swing.  By successful I mean a golf swing that generates much distance.

An unbalanced golf swing will always result in a mishit.  The reason for the need for balance and control is the golf swing position is an unnatural position for the body to be in.

I was reading an interesting article over at Great Golf Swing Tips that was speaking about the very importance of balance and golf balance exercises for the golf swing.

Great Golf Balance Exercise

One great golf balance exercise you can easily start with is the floor touch.

This is great exercise to warm up with before a round of golf. It will help stabilize the ankles, upper legs, and core – plus improve balance, as it engages the quads and glutes, in addition to lengthening the hamstring muscles. Make sure the abdominal muscles are engaged while doing this exercise.

If you would like to find out more information about Golf Exercises then I highly recommend Golf Training DVDs. No matter your fitness level there are exercise videos for you.

You better get hip flexibility that is. I was reading a great article by Chris Ownbey over at http://www.bettergolfwithfitness.com.

You could say that every golf swing has a different tempo, path, plane and angle. Chris talks about the biggest problem that keeps most golfers from achieving the power and distance they want is because of a lack of internal and external hip rotation. The key to distance in golf is generated by early hip rotation.

So now the question is, how do your hips work in the golf swing?
Chris says “For a right handed golfer the right hip needs to be able to rotate properly from take away to the top of the back swing in order to make a proper weight shift to the right side and to get behind the ball. Often times a golfer will compensate by lifting up during the backswing (loss of posture) and then chop down on the downswing.
At impact, and to the follow through position of the golf swing the right handed golfer needs a proper amount of hip rotation in the left hip in order to post or finish properly, if rotation is limited we will often times see a “slide” toward the ball. Both of these swing faults are the effect of the physical limitations which cause the inconsistent shots, and loss of distance.”

Chris provides us with some examples of golf-specific exercises to improve hip flexibility, and add distance to your game.

Seated 90/90

Great stretch which for the hips, lower back, hamstrings, thighs–you’ll find in doing this stretch that it will help wherever you are tightest.

Sit as pictured above with 90 degree angles to hips, knees, and feet, so back calf is parallel to front foot, and front calf is parallel to back thigh and foot (hence the name “90-90″, right angles everywhere.) Two directions of stretch will be out over the front knee (hold for 10 seconds) and then to the side . Then switch to the other leg and repeat. Make sure, however, that instead of rounding over the knee or foot, you press your chest forward and buttocks away, to maximize the stretch for hips and legs rather than lower back.

I can tell you now that I am not as quite as flexible as Chris but I have begun to do these stretches and I do expect to have better hip rotation for the upcoming golf season in a few months. I can’t wait.

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think about these golf exercises.