Golf Injuries in South Florida: What Every Player Should Know

South Florida is a golfer's paradise. Year-round sunshine, world-class courses, and a culture that embraces the game across every age group. But playing 3–4 rounds a week takes a toll that most golfers don't account for until something stops working.

We see a lot of golfers at our Lighthouse Point office. Here's a breakdown of the most common injuries — and what it takes to actually fix them.

The Most Common Golf Injuries We Treat

Lower Back Pain The most prevalent golf injury by far. The rotational forces of a golf swing — especially with today's power-focused technique — create significant shear and compressive stress on the lumbar spine. Add in hours of walking and bending to pick up balls, and you've got a formula for back problems. Disc injuries, facet joint irritation, and muscle strain are all common.

Knee Pain (Lead Knee) The lead knee takes significant rotational load during the downswing. Over time, this causes pain on the inside of the knee, meniscus irritation, and patellar issues. Read more in our article on knee pain from golf.

Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) Pain on the inside of the elbow, caused by repetitive gripping and wrist flexion during the swing. Despite the name, it's also common in tennis players and manual laborers.

Shoulder Injuries The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body — and the most injury-prone in golf. Rotator cuff strains, AC joint irritation, and shoulder impingement are all common. The trail shoulder (right shoulder for right-handed players) often bears the brunt.

Hip Flexor Strain The hip flexors are heavily loaded in the backswing and follow-through. Tight or strained hip flexors also contribute to lower back pain and reduced power.

Wrist and Hand Issues Tendinitis of the wrist extensors and flexors, as well as hamate fractures from hitting fat shots into hard ground, are occupational hazards for frequent golfers.

Why South Florida Golfers Are at Higher Risk

Playing year-round means no natural off-season for recovery. Northern golfers get a break each winter; South Florida players accumulate repetitive stress continuously. Humidity and heat also affect soft tissue, making muscles and tendons more prone to strain without adequate warm-up.

Keeping Golfers Playing

At McNamara Chiropractic Center, our approach for golfers isn't just to treat the injury — it's to understand the swing mechanics contributing to it. Lower back pain from golf, for example, is often driven by restricted hip rotation. When the hips can't rotate freely, the spine compensates. Fix the hips, and the back often improves dramatically.

We use sports injury treatment protocols that combine chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, Shockwave Therapy for tendon problems, and Class 4 Laser Therapy for inflammation reduction. Most golfers return to play much faster than they expect with the right care.

Our guide to chiropractic care in South Florida covers how we approach active lifestyle injuries.

Related reading:

• Knee Pain from Golf
• Cyclist Back Pain
• Tennis Elbow Treatment

Call (954) 943-1100) or stop by 3320 N. Federal Highway, Suite 101, Lighthouse Point. We'll get your game back.