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Projectile Golf Ball Injuries are More Common than Expected
Alan L. Hammond, GolfersMD News
Mar 08, 2011
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Armed with the knowledge that, on the golf course, a golf ball usually acts much like a projectile missile, many golfers keep the proverbial “one eye open” for incoming warheads.
Apparently, there are fewer people than previously thought that take such care.
Researchers have long been aware of the prevalence of back, shoulder, carpal tunnel and other musculoskeletal ailments among golfers. The repetition of trunk rotation, shoulder rotation, knee pressure, limb motions, and the like, undoubtedly contribute to such disorders over time. According to a report in the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation (Vol. 7, Iss. 2), researchers seeking to supplement previous data prepared a survey and distributed it to 1,790 amateur members of the New York State Golf Association who were under the age of 21.
Three hundred sixty-eight players responded to the survey. Most of the information obtained fell along what would seem to be predictable lines; younger and overweight golfers were more likely to experience back problems, women and higher handicap golfers were more at risk of upper extremity problems, etc. Other information was quite surprising.
Nearly half (47.6%) of those responding to the survey had been struck by a golf ball and 23% of their injuries were to the head and neck areas. The survey also determined that male golfers were more than twice as likely to be struck by a golf ball than females. Some would argue that is not so surprising.
The findings in the JSR report, although unexpected, are certainly due to lack of alertness to the danger of projectile golf balls. The good news is those injuries can be reduced. Just as musculoskeletal injury can be lessened by adequate stretching, strength training, and diet, traumatic injuries can be lessened with alertness on the part of all golfers, including the person who strikes the potentially harmful shot. Following the rules and etiquette of golf, yelling “fore” when appropriate, and keeping an eye toward other players on the course can prevent an enjoyable round from becoming a trip to the emergency room.
The full report, including the survey and other information regarding sports injuries, can be found in the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation (JSR, 7(2), May 1998).
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