INJURY PREVENTION

IN THE SWING GOLF BIOMECHANICS AND INJURY

The fact that golf is an anagram of FLOG may not be a total coincidence! Surprising as it may seem, the game places a range of demands on the body which can lead to a range of injuries both acute and more insidi- ous in their onset. In this article we will consider the mechanics of the golf swing, identify some of the stresses this may induce on the body and highlight some of the potential injury hot-spots.

Dr Neil Fowler, Bsc, PhD

A good walk spoiled or an absorbing chal- lenge of physical and mental concentra- tion? Whatever you may think of golf it remains one of the country’s most popular leisure activities. Over three million people play golf in Europe, while the UK alone has over 2,000 golf courses and nearly another 1,000 driving ranges where golfers can practice without the need to constantly walk after the ball.

Normally played over 18 holes, taking between 70 and 100 plus shots and involv- ing a total walk in the region of eight to ten kilometres, golf is generally considered to be a relatively low risk activity. After all what could go wrong during a leisurely stroll round the golf course?

The golf swing is typically broken down into four main phases: 1. backswing 2. downswing 3. ball contact 4. follow-through

These fit together in a continuous sequence from the start to the finish of the action. During these phases the body undergoes a complex series of movements involving

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