GolFIT Carolina

Bob Forman     Certified Golf Fitness Instructor     MS, Exercise Physiology 

^{Golfer’s elbow is the phrase used for discomfort on the medial aspect or inside of the elbow.  It literally is a pain due to the fact that the discomfort is usually slow to develop and can linger for quite some time.  Playing golf often worsens the condition and, for many, is the reason why they develop it in the first place.} 

^{One common cause for golfer’s elbow is a lack of mobility in the shoulder joint, particularly external rotation, which often leads to a swing fault known as chicken wing.  Chicken wing typically refers to the target side elbow or left elbow for a right-handed golfer, and is characterized by the elbow bending and remaining close to the body as it slides around the back on the follow-through after impact (easier to see with a slow motion video).}   

^{To check for external rotation of the shoulder, stand with your arm straight out to the side and bend your elbow 90 degrees, palm facing forward.  Without moving your upper arm, try rotating the forearm back as far as comfort permits without bending or arching your back.  The goal would be to get about 10 to 20 degrees of movement backwards with the forearm.  If you can’t budge from the starting position or if you can’t even get to the 90 degree starting position, your external rotation is limited.} 

^{If this occurs in your target arm (left arm for a right-hander) you may be chicken winging.  If it occurs in the right arm, you could have that flying elbow in your backswing.  Either swing fault increases the potential for tendonitis or other injury in the respective elbow joint.}         

^{Another possible cause for golfer’s elbow may be from the imbalance many of us have in the forearm muscle groups.  Due to the fact that we are constantly gripping things, our flexors on the underside of the forearm tend to be stronger than our extensors on the top of the forearm.  This imbalance sets a person up for problems in the elbow joint, as well as the wrist.}   

^{Playing a sport like golf can aggravate the imbalance.  Gripping the club and moving the wrists and elbows in several different planes, all at once, during the swing can wreak havoc on either or both of the two joints, especially if the imbalance between the flexors and extensors is extensive.  The result is often the development of chronic pain.}     

^{A good stretching routine and some mild strength exercises will help alleviate and/or prevent golfer’s elbow.  These should focus on improving the range of motion in the shoulder joint and diminishing the imbalance that may exist in the forearm.  Be careful, though, as golfer’s elbow is a tender condition and could be easily irritated.  It might be a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider if the condition already exists.}