Golf Injuries

Common Golf Injuries

Can You Play a Round of Golf after Spinal Fusion?

Golfers recovering from spinal fusion surgery often wonder if they can return to the game we love so dearly. The good news? Yes, you can! Even elite athletes like Tiger Woods have returned to high-level golf following spinal fusion surgery. However, it’s crucial to prioritize your recovery and long-term spinal health with the right precautions. … Continued

8 Golfer’s Elbow Exercises That Can Ease Your Symptoms

One of the main treatment options for a golfer’s elbow is physical therapy combined with a home exercise program. It involves specific golfer’s elbow exercises that will ease the symptoms of pain, weakness, and stiffness of the elbow. You can read more about what causes Medial Epicondylitis, aka golfer’s elbow or common flexor tendinosis, and … Continued

What Is Golfer’s Knee, And What Can I Do About It?

The nature of golf is such that both the backswing and downswing affect the knee. The entire swing takes a little over one second. However, it can exert a force of 4 times the body weight on the front knee and 3 times the weight on the back knee (1). This makes knee injuries just as … Continued

Wrist Tendonitis

Wrist tendonitis, also known as tenosynovitis, is a condition characterized by inflammation of the tendons surrounding the wrist joint. This inflammation typically results from repetitive stress, overuse, or injury, causing the tendons to become irritated and swollen. Common contributing factors include activities that involve repetitive wrist movements, such as typing, manual labor, or sports-related motions. Additionally, sudden increases in activity level or improper ergonomics may play a role in the development of wrist tendonitis. As the tendons become inflamed, they can rub against the…

Guyon’s Canal

Guyon canal syndrome is a condition caused by the compression of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the Guyon canal, a narrow passageway located on the palm side of the wrist. This syndrome is commonly seen in people who perform repetitive tasks with their hands or use tools that vibrate, such as jackhammers or drills. Other causes of Guyon canal syndrome may include trauma or injury to the wrist, arthritis, or tumors. Treatment for Guyon canal syndrome may include immobilization of the wrist, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or– in severe cases– surgery. If left untreated, Guyon canal syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage, muscle weakness, and loss of function in the affected hand and wrist.

TFCC tear

TFCC stands for Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex. It’s basically a triangular-shaped spacer with ligaments that lives on the pinky finger (ulnar) side of your wrist (1). This complex of ligaments stabilizes the bones on that side and adds cushioning. The TFCC can become torn with a fall on an outstretched hand, other trauma, or just wear and tear. Instability is another feature of TFCC tears (2). The TFCC is part of an extensive group of ligaments that help stabilize both the small wrist bones and the ulna bone. If these become stretched and allow too much movement, this is called instability.

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow involves tears in the ulnar collateral ligament and pain or soreness on the inside of the elbow. The bony bump you feel there is the medial epicondyle of the humerus (upper arm bone). There are five forearm muscles that attach at this point, all of which are involved in helping to flex or rotate the forearm and wrist. Pain can get worse when you throw a ball, grip a dumbbell, turn a screwdriver, and other movements that involve the fingers, hand, wrist, and/or elbow. Tennis elbow is similar, however, it refers to the outside of the elbow, at the lateral epicondyle.

Golfer’s Elbow Vs. Tennis Elbow

Elbow pain can be debilitating. Dr. Schutlz discusses the differences between Tennis elbow and Golfers elbow and successful treatment options that do NOT include steroids, NSAIDs or surgery.

Preventing Golf Injuries

Golf may seem low-impact, but its repetitive motions and rotational forces can lead to injuries like golfer’s elbow, lower back strain, or knee issues. Prevention starts with proper warm-ups—dynamic stretches targeting shoulders, hips, and wrists—to prepare muscles and joints. Work with a golf pro or learn to refine your swing mechanics, as poor form increases stress on the body. Ensure clubs are fitted to your height and biomechanics to avoid overcompensation injuries. Strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility through yoga or Pilates, which can help stabilize the spine and other joint complexes during the swing. Listen to your body: persistent pain is a warning sign. A Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified golf pro can assess your swing for biomechanical risks, creating a tailored plan to keep you on the course safely.

Treating Golf Injuries

Effective treatment begins with accurate diagnosis. For acute injuries like wrist tendonitis or a knee ligament sprain, initial rest followed by a rehabilitation program can often get you back to playing in short time. Physical therapy restores strength and mobility, while regenerative orthobiologics therapies such as platelet rich plasma or bone marrow concentrate can accelerate healing of chronic issues like golfer’s elbow or lumbar degenerative disk disease. Bracing or kinesiology tape may stabilize joints during recovery.

A TPI Certified PT or strength and conditioning specialist can design rehab programs that address swing-related causes, ensuring a safe return to play while minimizing reinjury risks. Surgery is a last resort, reserved for structural damage unresponsive to conservative care.

Importance of a TPI Certified Physician

TPI Certified Experts specialize in the unique demands of the golf swing. They analyze how physical limitations—tight hips, weak rotator cuffs, or spinal stiffness—alter swing patterns, which can lead to injury. For example, early extension can cause pain in the lumbar spine due to compressing the facet joints. TPI experts use functional movement screens and motion analysis to pinpoint vulnerabilities, then craft corrective exercise regimens. This proactive approach not only treats existing injuries but also prevents future ones by optimizing how your body interacts with your swing.

Benefits of a TPI Certified Physician

Partnering with a TPI Certified Team offers golfers a competitive edge. These specialists blend medical expertise with knowledge of swing mechanics to enhance performance and durability. They identify subtle issues, like grip positioning or early hip extension, that contribute to elbow strain or knee pain. Customized rehab programs improve mobility in key areas while strengthening stabilizing muscles. They can also collaborate with coaches to align technical adjustments with physical capabilities, ensuring swing changes don’t overtax vulnerable joints. For aging golfers or those post-surgery, TPI-driven care extends playing longevity by addressing wear-and-tear holistically. Dual focus on regenerative medicine utilizing orthobiologics for tissue repair and TPI principles ensures injuries heal correctly—and your game evolves smarter. This will keep you playing longer with less pain and dysfunction.

Meet Our TPI Certified Doctor: Dr. Brandon Money

Dr. Money, an Indiana native now in Colorado, attended Kansas City University for medical school and completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Indiana University. Passionate about non-surgical treatments, he trained with the Interventional Orthopedics Foundation (IOF) and later joined Centeno-Schultz Clinic, where he now practices musculoskeletal medicine and utilizes orthobiologics treatments to get patients back to doing what they love!

A lifelong athlete and former competitive triathlete, Dr. Money enjoys Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle, but golf remains his true passion. Having played the game for 30+ years, he is Colorado’s only actively certified Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) physician, specializing in assessing how swing mechanics contribute to or result from injuries, helping golfers optimize performance and prevent pain.

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