Attention Lady Golfers: Beware of the Injury Bug!

By: Dr. Larry Foster


Females account for about one-quarter of the 25 million-plus recreational golfers in the United States.

When I was writing "Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries," I knew all along that I would have a separate section in the book for female golfers. While performing my research for the book I came across a thick medical text written exclusively about the female athlete. It was a very comprehensive book that covered every conceivable sport. I eagerly flipped to the chapter on golf, hoping to uncover some juicy new material. What I found, however, was the same material I was already familiar with.

The point here is that even though females are well represented among the golfing population, there is surprisingly little research published in the medical literature that is dedicated specifically to the woman golfer.

What we do know about injuries among female players comes from large published surveys of professional and amateur female golfers. These surveys shed light on how frequent injuries are among the ladies.

First, the professionals: One survey of nearly one hundred LPGA members revealed that greater than 80 percent of these golfers reported having suffered a golf-related injury, and that there was an average of two injuries incurred per player. The typical injury forced the female pro to miss almost three weeks from the Tour, though some players reported missing up to one year from the competition due to their injuries.

The most frequently injured body areas among these female professionals were:

• Left wrist (31 percent of all injuries)
• Lower back (22 percent)
• Shoulder (8 percent)
• Left hand (8 percent)
• Left knee (6 percent)
• Left elbow (5 percent)

The two most common reported causes for injury by this group of women professional golfers were:

• Overpractice/repetitive swings
• Contact with an object other than the ball during a swing (for example, the ground or a rock)

In summary, female professional golfers experience the same high injury rate that their male counterparts on the PGA Tour do (the males also report an injury rate of about 80 percent). Overuse injuries, brought on by the relentless practice and play schedules these players maintain, predominate.

Now for the amateurs: One large published survey of amateur golfers (which included both men and women) provides some insight. For starters, the overall frequency of injuries was virtually the same for women and men - just over 60 percent for both sexes.

The most frequently injured body areas among these female amateurs were:

• Elbow (36 percent of all injuries)
• Lower back (27 percent)
• Shoulder (16 percent)
• Wrist/hand (15 percent)
• Knee (11 percent)

The three most common causes for injury reported by this group of women amateur golfers were:

• Excessive practice/play
• Poor swing mechanics
• Hitting the ground or an object during a swing

So, there are many similarities and a couple of differences in the injury patterns of female and male golfers. Women golfers (amateur and pro) run the same overall high risk of injury as the men (about an 80 percent injury rate for professionals and about 60 percent for the amateurs, regardless of gender). The left (lead) side is most at risk for all golfers, regardless of their skill level or gender.

The overall pattern of distribution of injuries by body part is similar for females and males. One exception to the trend, however, is the disproportionately high rate of back injuries seen among men as compared with women. This is true for both professionals and amateur golfers. Conversely, female golfers (amateur and pro) are more likely to sustain injuries to the upper limb (elbow, wrist, and hand) than male golfers.

So, how can you lady golfers out there work toward reducing your risk for golf-related injuries and remain pain-free when you play? The advice I give to you is the same as it is for the men: Be aware of the ingredients to "Dr. Divot's Recipe for Injury":

• Poor physical conditioning
• Overuse
• Inadequate or improper warm-up
• Poor swing technique

During the golfing season as well as the off-season, make sure that you devote time to basic fitness and conditioning. It will prepare your body for the rigors of golf - a game that is surprisingly tough on the body. Next, avoid the temptation to play or practice too much. Our bodies need time to recuperate after each round of golf or trip to the range. Each time you do play or practice, make sure you warm up and stretch beforehand (a complete and proper golf warm-up routine is outlined in "Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries"). Finally, make sure to use proper swing mechanics by having a local golf pro evaluate your swing. Getting lessons from a qualified pro (and not your cranky husband!) is a great way to lower your score and prevent injury.

O.K. ladies - go get 'em!

Dr. Larry Foster, M.D., F.A.A.O.S. is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon whose enthusiasm for golf has earned him the title "Dr. Divot." Dr. Foster received his medical degree in 1988 from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his residency training at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York.

Dr. Foster is the author of "Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries - A Handbook for Golf Injury Prevention and Treatment." The book costs $19.95. He gives lectures and seminars to PGA and LPGA golf professionals, trainers, therapists, and recreational golfers on the important but neglected topic of golf-injury prevention and treatment.

Dr. Foster has been in practice in New York for over a decade. He loves golf, but struggles to break 100 consistently. For Dr. Divot, a good round of golf is when the beer stays cold through the 18th hole, and nobody has been hurt.

You can learn more about Dr. Divot and his book by visiting www.doctordivotmd.com.