Other tips to keep you on the course

There's more to golf than your golf swing. Consider other ways to lower your risk of golf injuries:

• Warm up. Before you practice your swing or play a round of golf, warm up for at least 10 minutes with a brisk walk or a set of jumping jacks. Stretch your hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, spine and pelvis. Swing your golf club a few times, gradually increasing your range of motion and swing speed.
• Start slowly. You might start out by practicing your swing for hours, believing it's helping your game. But if your body isn't conditioned for the strain or your swing mechanics are suboptimal, repetitively practicing your golf swing may do more harm than good. Work up to your desired activity level instead, and focus on proper form.
• Strengthen your muscles. You don't need bulging muscles to hit a long drive. But the stronger your muscles, the greater your club speed. Stronger muscles are also less likely to be injured. For best results, do strength training exercises year-round, and focus on muscle balance, especially around the shoulders.
• Focus on flexibility. Regular stretching can improve your range of motion and lead to a more fluid golf swing.
• Build up your endurance. Regular aerobic activity can give you staying power on the course. And the Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Try walking, jogging, bicycling or swimming.
• Lift and carry clubs carefully. Golfers who carry their own bags have higher rates of shoulder and back injuries than do other golfers. If you jerk heavy clubs out of the trunk of your car, you could injure yourself before you reach the first tee. Use proper lifting technique: Keep your back straight and use the strength of your legs to lift.
• Try to avoid hitting objects other than the ball. Elbow and wrist injuries are often the result of hitting the ground or the rough.
• Choose proper footwear. Dress for comfort and protection from the elements. Wear golf shoes with short cleats. Long cleats dig into the sod and hold your feet planted as you swing, which may place more strain on your knees.