Golf can be fun

Yes, golf can be fun.

If the ball doesn’t bop you on the head. Or, an airborne putter doesn’t become an attack missal. Or, your swing doesn’t hit the ground instead of the ball.

Golf injury joke

A couple of women were playing golf one sunny Saturday morning. The first of the twosome teed off and watched in horror as her ball headed directly toward a foursome of men playing the next hole.

Indeed, the ball hit one of the men, and he immediately clasped his hands together at his crotch, fell to the ground and proceeded to roll around in evident agony.

The woman rushed down to the man and immediately began to apologize. She explained that she was a physical therapist: "Please allow me to help. I'm a physical therapist and I know I could relieve your pain if you'd allow me!” she told him earnestly.

"Ummph, oooh, nnooo, I'll be alright...I'll be fine in a few minutes", he replied breathlessly as he remained in the fetal position still clasping his hands together at his crotch.

But she persisted, and finally he allowed her to help him. She gently took his hands away and placed them by his sides. She then loosened his pants, and put her hands inside. She began to massage him. She then asked him: "How does that feel?"

To which he replied: "It feels great, but my thumb still hurts like hell."

Golf injury no joke

In the last few years, an alarming amount of reported golf injuries seems to have made golf and football rivals for the title of ‘most injuries while having fun’ sport.

The problem for many amateur golfers is that they play so lousy. (Not you, of course). Let’s face it, for the most part, (You see them on the course all the time.) their technique stinks.

Watch your back

Figure it out. The worse you are, the more strokes you take. Your poor aching back is in perfect position to incur the brunt, causing stress and strain. The back does not know the difference between putting and driving. All it knows is that it is being overused.

For older amateur male golfers the most common injured area is the lower back. As a man ages he may find that lower back pain and an afternoon of practicing putting, unfortunately, seem to go hand in hand. Continually bending at the waist after sitting around all morning can take its toll.

Tennis elbow

Alright, golf elbow. Same thing. The most commonly injured area of the body in older female amateurs is the elbow because of decreased strength in the forearm muscles. Those muscles help with rotation of golf club through the impact area and also with shock absorption from hitting the ground instead of the ball (as previously mentioned). Often, golf elbow can become a chronic condition.

Aging swingers

A commonly injured area in the older player is the shoulder. That is due to decreased strength, flexibility, and also, degenerative changes of the joint. The rotator cuff ages and frays making it a candidate for arthritis.

In places like Florida, joint replacement has become a common surgery -- not just for walking or merely using your limbs like in the “old days.” Now, from the shoulders to the hips to the knees, as we age, apparently we want to continue to play golf.

Head trip

The parts of the head that are the most vulnerable to injury are the sides – the temporal areas.

Some head injuries occur when people stand too close to your swing and get hit with your club. Your adorable grandchildren playing with your clubs is also something to watch out for. And then, of course is the old ball bop on the head (as previously mentioned). The word “fore” should never be whispered.

A word of caution:

If a head injury occurs, never, and I mean never, head for that 19 th hole. The clubhouse for a couple of drinks sure sounds inviting but beware -- alcohol with a head injury can be deadly.

Now for the fun part

Golf is a wonderful sport and a great way to spend an afternoon. It’s also a pretty good way of staying in shape –especially if you walk the course while playing.

Some claim an injury now and then is par for the course. (Ooooh, did I say that?)

However, with some knowledge and preparation you can greatly reduce an injury’s impact or avoid it altogether.

6 ways to help prevent golf Injuries:
1. Warm up your muscles

Before you start playing warm up your muscles with some good stretching exercises. Your back, shoulders and arm muscles especially need to loosen up and warm up before you take your first swing. Stretching after the game can help prevent soreness and muscle fatigue.

2. Become flexible

Flexibility is probably the most important and also overlooked area of the golf game. As the body ages, it loses flexibility and with that loss of flexibility, the range of motion available to the golf swing becomes more restricted.

Achieving proper flexibility in the golf specific muscles allows you to swing more relaxed, therefore decreasing the chance of muscle strains and tears.

It is essential for the older athlete, competitive or recreational, to combat traditional declining flexibility with age. Normal flexibility and efficient joint motion are needed for warm-up activities prior to exercise, and to execute movements required in the respective activity.

3. Strengthen your muscles

Strengthening the muscles that are specific to the swing will help reduce the likelihood of injury as well as improve your overall game.

You don't need bulging muscles to hit a long drive, but strength training is important for overall fitness and prevention of injury. A program of strength training to increase stability in your lower back, abdomen, hips and shoulders is recommended by experts.

4. Refine your technique

If you find you often have one group of muscles that always are sore after the game, you may need to refine your golf swing. A professional can analyze your swing and give you suggestions on improving your technique to prevent injury. You might even find it improves your score.

5. Check your equipment

Be sure your clubs are in good shape and are the correct length and weight for you. Wear properly fitting shoes with socks to prevent blisters when walking. Wear clothing that is appropriate for the weather to prevent heat (or cold) related injuries. Wear a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to prevent sun damage.

6. Treat injuries as soon as possible

If you do strain or injure yourself during the game or just find that your muscles are aching, apply ice to the area, follow first aid guidelines and use rest, elevation and compression of the area to aid healing of injured tissue.

As the commercials say, “If pain persists, see your doctor.”

Great golf quotes

The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. --Phyllis Diller

Golf is a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic. --Author Unknown

If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork the way they do a golf club, they'd starve to death. --Sam Snead

Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick. --P.J. O'Rourke

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt. --Dean Martin

I know I am getting better at golf because I'm hitting fewer spectators. --Gerald Ford

For other articles of interest to those over 50 (seniors and boomers) visit www.LetLifeIn.com. With a cutting edge and a (sometimes irreverent) sense of humor, LetLifeIn.com explores all aspects of being 50+ -- the concerns, the issues, and the controversies as well as the fun stuff.