Unfortunately, golf injuries are the main reasons why 50 percent of professional golf touring athletes stop playing. Even years of training and consistent conditioning cannot totally prevent the most seasoned golfer from experiencing injuries. Amateurs and professionals use the rotation of the trunk and fast shoulder motions to perform a simple golf swing; during this swing, a lot can happen!

The most common golf injuries involve the back, especially the lower area underneath the rib cage. These usually involve muscle and ligament strains that can get better with rest and pain medications. Lower back strains can be prevented, or at least reduced, through simple strengthening exercises and the application of better golfing techniques.

Next to the lower back pain, the most common type of golf injury is golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis). This is an inflammation of the flexor tendons that allow the elbow to bend. Easy treatments include rest, cold ice therapy, anti-inflammation drugs and, in chronic cases, cortisone injections.

Knowing about Golf Injuries Can Help Your Game

Understanding how the body is affected by poor golf swing techniques, balance and form will help you perform better on the green. Perform some stretching exercises and warm up a bit by hitting a few balls with the short irons to loosen your muscles up. Condition the body to deal with the force and pressure exerted by drive swing, and never push your body farther than its comfort zone for the sake of the game.