How to Avoid Injury as the Golf Season Starts

Golf season has officially begun. With many golfers on hiatus during the winter, it's crucial to remember some useful tips to avoid injury as you dust off your clubs and hit the links. Dr. Steven Weinfeld, an Orthopaedic Surgeon at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center, provide some useful tips.

1. Take five-ten minutes to stretch your whole body before playing, focusing on your back, arms, shoulders, neck, hips and legs.

2. If you have not been physically active for the last couple of months, plan to take a brisk walk before playing to increase your heart rate.

3. Strengthen your core by focusing on your abdominal and lower back muscles for a safer, less injury-prone golf swing. Try doing abdominal crunches, bicycle crunches, planks, side planks, straight leg raises, and superman's while lying on the floor.

4. When using a golf cart, frequently walk between shots to keep your muscles warmed up and your blood pumping.

5. If you are new to the game, be sure to take some lessons to avoid holding clubs incorrectly, which could cause various problems to your alignment

6. Go to your pro shop and purchase the correct pair of golf shoes for your body's alignment- this will not only improve your swing, but will decrease risk of injury.

7. Maintain a healthy weight to avoid plantar fasciitis in your foot, which can cause sharp pains when your feet are overused.

8. Drink plenty of water, especially on hot days to avoid dehydration.

9. During the early months of the season when it is cold, dress warmly to avoid injury.

10. When it rains, be sure to repeatedly clean your golf spikes during your round. This will prevent you from slipping during your golf spring and potentially injuring yourself.

11. If you experience pain, rest briefly and take an over the counter anti-inflammatory when your round is over.

12. At the end of your game, stretch again to prevent any additional pain.

13. Take a hot shower afterwards to loosen your muscles, however, if you have acute pain, be sure to ice that area first to prevent swelling.

About Dr. Steven Weinfeld:

Dr. Steven Weinfeld has appeared on national and local TV and radio, as well as in many print outlets as a resource on orthopaedic care and injuries. Dr. Weinfeld has been interviewed by USA Today, MSNBC.com, Golf Digest and many other publications.