The following information appears courtesy of orthopedic specialist Dr. Larry Foster, and is reprinted with permission from his "Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries.
Symptons:
Pain and tenderness on outer side of left elbow (tennis elbow) and inner side of right elbow (golfer's elbow). Pain may be greatest at the top of the backswing and at impact.
Treatments:
Among the possible treatments are: Rest, medication, therapy, counterforce bracing, cortisone, surgery
Do:
• Consider switching to graphite shafts and low compression balls to decrease elbow strain at impact
• Practice on real turf instead of rubber mats when possible
• Ease up on grip pressure and loosen up on the elbows during the swing
• Bring the club back slowly during the backswing
• Maintain a smooth transition from the backswing to the downswing
• Move the ball to a safe spot to avoid contact with rocks, tree roots, sprinklers, etc.
• Consider adopting a more elliptical swing to sweep the ball off the turf and minimize divottaking
• Tee-up the ball on fairway shots, if necessary
• Consider adopting a more elliptical swing to sweep the ball off the turf and minimize divottaking
• Tee-up the ball on fairway shots, if necessary
Don't:
• Release the hands prematurely at the top of the backswing (casting maneuver)
• Decelerate the club before impact
About the Author
Larry Foster, M.D., F.A.A.O.S., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who calls himself "a bad golfer, but a good golf orthopedist." Dr. Foster's enthusiasm for golf has earned him the nickname "Dr. Divot." Dr. Foster trained at Columbia University and the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. He is the author of "Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries.
More Information
More in-depth information on golfer's elbow is available from the About.com Guide to Orthopedics. More in-depth information on tennis elbow is available from the ADAM Health Encyclopedia.
