Golf-FAQ.com

why does my left hand hurt after golf

by Nichole Runolfsson Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Generally, hand pain from golf grip and other golf injuries occur due to the following factors:

  • Overuse of the hand muscles
  • Inappropriate movement or poor technique
  • Inability to warm up
  • Improper physical condition

If you've been noticing a gradual increase in wrist pain after golfing, it may be tendinitis. Wrist tendinitis comes with overuse or poor form. Stress from swinging the club causes tiny tears in your wrist tendons. Those tendons get inflamed and cause pain.

Full Answer

Why do my hands hurt after playing golf?

A bad grip often contributes to hand pain after golf. Gripping the club too tightly or in the wrong way can result in injury. One hand injury we see in golfers is a fracture of the hook of the hamate.

Why does the top of my hand hurt when I grip?

If so, then it might be the Ulnar Nerve. If its the top of the hand and pain going into the wrist and into the forearms, it might be just weak wrist muscles. I never had this problem, but it sounds like muscle strain. So not sure if your grip is wrong, or you might have just hurt it and not given it enough rest before playing again.

What can I do about the pain in my fingers after golf?

Cortisone injections can be helpful, as can resting the hand or using supportive splints. If your pain is isolated primarily in the base of certain fingers after golf, you may be suffering from isolated flexor tendonitis.

What are the most common hand injuries in golf?

Improper grips, swings or not using a golf glove can cause hand injuries. While injury risks in golf are low, the sport is not without its potential pitfalls. A common area for a golfer to feel pain after a round of golf is in his hands, which can come under strain when a golfer misplays a ball. These injuries require various forms of treatment.

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What helps sore hands from golf?

The most common wrist/hand complaint is due to tendonitis (tendon inflammation) of any of the tendons that cross the wrist. Treatment usually consists of rest, splinting, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.

Where should you be sore after golf?

While the most common area you're likely to feel some tightness is in your hamstrings, soreness can occur anywhere (calves, quads, groin).

Why do my hands hurt when I hit a golf ball?

It all comes down to vibration. That stinging pain that you feel in your hands is caused by vibration that is coming up through the shaft of the club and into your hands. While most people don't think of golf as a game that can inflict pain, those people likely have never hit a 3-iron thin on a cold morning.

How do you prevent hand injuries in golf?

CHECK YOUR GRIP ▶ Holding the club too high across the palm of your glove hand (sometimes wearing a hole in your glove) puts the club in a weaker position at impact, increasing the risk of injury. Regrip the club in the last three fingers of the glove hand instead.

Is golf bad for your body?

Although golf is a low-impact sport, it's associated with several injuries. Many golfing-related injuries are a result of poor mechanics or overuse. The most commonly injured area is the lower back. Other injured areas can include the elbow, wrist and hand, and shoulder.

Is golf good for your body?

Golf, specifically, provides moderately intense physical activity, such as walking, carrying your bag, and swinging. This increases your heart rate and blood flow, which results in a healthy heart, enhanced brain stimulation, and improved balance. Spectators and caddies can benefit from golf too!

What is the most common injury in golf?

8 of the Most Common Golf InjuriesGolf Back Injuries or Pain. ... Rotator Cuff Injury. ... Golfer's Elbow. ... Golf Wrist Injury Like Tendonitis. ... Knee Pain or Injury. ... Foot and Ankle Injuries. ... Golf Hip Injury. ... Sunburn.

What is the proper golf grip?

How do you place your hands on a golf club? In simplest terms, you should have your 'lead' hand on the top of the golf club and your trail hand just underneath it. The grip should run down your fingers and palm in your lead hand, and the palm of your trail hand should sit just on top of it.

Can golf cause arthritis in hands?

Yes, It's Possible! Arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints that can interfere with daily activities and make physical activity difficult. You may be tempted to give up physical activity altogether to avoid pain.

Do pro golfers get carpal tunnel?

Unfortunately, avid golfers experience a high incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, doubtlessly because they use their hands and wrists so intensely with every stroke of the club.

Can you still play golf with carpal tunnel?

Most people can return to activities like golf in four to six weeks. Success rates for carpal tunnel release are very high, and complications are rare. Learn more about hand procedures and treatments.

Can you get carpal tunnel from golf?

Golfers often suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as a result of sustaining another injury to the hand or wrist, either from overuse or direct trauma from a mis-hit.

What are the injuries in golf?

Golf Injuries to the Hand, Wrist or Elbow. Hand, wrist and elbow injuries are common for golfers of all skill levels. The golf swing is a complex, coordinated series of motions. Golf injuries can result from poor technique or overuse. They can also result from a single direct blow, like hitting a tree root. The following are a few ways that could ...

How to treat tendonitis in golfer's elbow?

Initial treatment for tendonitis consists of rest, ice, stretching, splinting and anti-inflammatory medications. For tennis elbow , try to lift objects palm up. For golfer’s elbow, try to lift objects with the palm down.

What causes tendonitis in the elbow?

The inner aspect of the elbow where medial epicondylitis, one of the common golf injuries, causes painful tendonitis. Hook of the hamate as it grips a golf club. The hook part of the bone can break, causing a hamate bone fractures, one of the common golf injuries.

What are the types of injuries that can occur in golf?

Types of Golf Injuries. Golf injuries can include tendonitis, sprains or fractures (broken bones). These injuries may arise by the repeated stress of practicing the golf swing. Gripping activities like hammering or heavy lifting can also cause these injuries. Some specific golf injuries may include: Sprained Wrist.

Where does tendonitis occur in the hand?

In the wrist, tendonitis often occurs in the leading hand (left hand for a right handed player). In the elbow, this can sometimes be referred to as medial epicondylitis or “golfer’s elbow.”. Pain is often on the inner, or medial, part of the elbow. This is where the muscles that bend the wrist and fingers attach (Figure 1).

What causes a blood clot in the palm of the hand?

The ulnar artery is one of the main arteries to the hand. This occurs where repeated blows weaken the vessel wall. It then causes it to increase in size, and sometimes a blood clot forms. There is often pain in the palm, and sometimes disrupted blood flow going to the fingertips.

How to fix golfer's elbow?

For golfer’s elbow, try to lift objects with the palm down. Tendonitis can be improved by certain exercises. These exercises stretch and strengthen muscles and tendons. These can be recommended by a hand therapist. Changing grips on the golf club may also help.

What causes a golfer's hand to break?

The most common hand break in golf occurs when a ball is struck fat, meaning the player hits the ground behind the ball, jarring the shaft. When the club is held too high on the shaft, so that none of the shaft extends out of the top of the hands, the top of the shaft drives into the hand and may break it. Such an injury often requires surgery ...

Why are tendons more common than breaks?

Tendon injuries are more common than breaks, and while they can result from a traumatic incident, they more commonly occur because of the cumulative strain of repeated swings. Injuries to tendons are less likely to require medical attention such as surgery, and often are treated with simple measures.

Can golf gloves cause hand injuries?

By Robert Preston. Improper grips, swings or not using a golf glove can cause hand injuries. While injury risks in golf are low, the sport is not without its potential pitfalls. A common area for a golfer to feel pain after a round of golf is in his hands, which can come under strain when a golfer misplays a ball.

Why does my hand hurt after playing golf?

Hand Injuries. A bad grip often contributes to hand pain after golf. Gripping the club too tightly or in the wrong way can result in injury. One hand injury we see in golfers is a fracture of the hook of the hamate. The hook of the hamate is a bone in your wrist. It can be broken when your club strikes the gound hard.

Why does my wrist hurt after golfing?

If you’ve been noticing a gradual increase in wrist pain after golfing, it may be tendinitis. Wrist tendinitis comes with overuse or poor form. Stress from swinging the club causes tiny tears in your wrist tendons. Those tendons get inflamed and cause pain.

What happens if you have sharp pain in your elbow?

If you feel very sharp pain in your elbow after making contact, you see a doctor. At the very least you may have strained a ligament. At worse, you’ve torn it. Torn elbow ligaments are the most common golf injury that we treat with surgery.

What are the most common wrist injuries?

Wrist Injuries. Sprained wrists are one of the most common golf-related wrist injuries that we see. Sprains often happen when golfers strike a root or rock during their swing. Poor mechanics can also lead to sprains, since hitting a fat shot puts so much strain on your wrists.

How to get your arms to be stronger while golfing?

Since golfing puts so much strain on your arms, being in shape matters. If you’re going to be golfing often, stretching and strength training for your arms are a good idea.

What is it called when your shoulder is pinched?

Poor mechanics can result in a condition called “shoulder impingement. ”. This happens when your tendons are being pinched between the bones in your shoulder. Impingement leads to tendinitis, which can lead to a tear. And then you’re looking at surgery.

What is golfer elbow?

That’s right – we’re talking about Golfer’s Elbow. Golfers Elbow is a condition that comes from the strain of repetitive motion. You may have Golfer’s Elbow if you have forearm and elbow pain after golfing.

Why do my fingers hurt after playing golf?

If your pain is isolated primarily in the base of certain fingers after golf, you may be suffering from isolated flexor tendonitis. Your flexor tendons are those that connect the muscles in your forearms to your fingers, and the constant flexing and squeezing of the fingers in sports like golf and tennis can result in flexor tendonitis .

What is the pain in the middle of my finger after golf?

If your pain is isolated primarily in the base of certain fingers after golf, you may be suffering from isolated flexor tendonitis.

What is the cause of flexor tendonitis?

Your flexor tendons are those that connect the muscles in your forearms to your fingers, and the constant flexing and squeezing of the fingers in sports like golf and tennis can result in flexor tendonitis. Part of the tendon can become inflamed and swollen and a nodule develops around the base of the affected fingers.

What to do if you have a sore finger from golf?

Also, if you consistently have a sore finger or soreness in any body part from golf, tell your doctor and be ready to provide details about the condition. Be able to explain the nature of the pain as sharp, throbbing, dull, tingly and so on.

How to tell if your finger is hurting from golf?

If you start to notice pain in your fingers from golf, talk with your local golf pro about your grip and swing. You may be gripping the club too tightly or in a manner that is putting too much pressure on one finger. A pro might have some easy changes you can make. Also, if you consistently have a sore finger or soreness in any body part from golf, tell your doctor and be ready to provide details about the condition. Be able to explain the nature of the pain as sharp, throbbing, dull, tingly and so on. And think about when it started, how long it lasts, what helps relieve it and how much it hurts on a scale of 1 to 10.

What is the condition that attacks golfers?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune condition and can strike people in their 30s and 40s. It also often appears in the hands, so the tight grip on a club for a round of golf can leave rheumatoid arthritis sufferers in real pain 1. Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that attacked superstar golfer Phil Mickelson in 2010.

What to do if your finger hurts from golf?

If you start to notice pain in your fingers from golf, talk with your local golf pro about your grip and swing. Also, if you consistently have a sore finger or soreness in any body part from golf, tell your doctor and be ready to provide details about the condition.

dkmago

I had pain when I first started playing. I switched to graphite shaft clubs and it went away. I do believe it was due to poor contact and could probably start using steel shafts now that I'm a bit better at contacting the ball properly.

joe b

Let me help....Hold the club lighter within your hands. You may have read about Sam Snead's comparison of grip pressure as holding a baby bird in your hands, measure of pressure.

painter33

You used the term "firm", which is not the same as "tight", and tight is how most amateurs grip the club. Looking at one's glove for wear can indicate re-gripping and an overly tight grip. Tight grips also restrict the release that in turn results in disappointing contact.

KMeloney

Reviving an old thread here, 'cause it's remarkable how similar the OP's pain sounds like mine. If you go back and read the OP's post, that's what I have going on. What's interesting is how temporary it is. I've only ever experienced the pain a couple times on the driving range, and once this summer, maybe 6 holes into a round.

radiman

I was googling this exact symptom and came across this thread. I know it was a long time ago, but the OP never came back to state what his results were. But, I have the exact same symptoms and was wondering if anyone else out there had some insight on what the cause was for them if they experienced it.

radiman

I went in for my issues and the doc told me it was tendinitis. Now I wear a brace at work and take some prescription anti-inflammatory. I have to say, that it is gradually getting better. The dr. had me do the Finkelstein test. For those that are experiencing this, try it out.

ph00ny

Haven't touched the club since last friday. I guess i will try to swing easy as possible tomorrow and see how it turns out

ph00ny

Just got my MRI results back and it says i have a bone spur in my third metacarpal-carpal articulation/base of the third metacarpal bone. Not sure what it means but i guess i will be hearing from my doc on monday. It also says to get it shaved off if it's bothersome

Guest

Sorry to bring up an old post but I have the exact same symptoms as first poster and a few others. Left hand is really painful for first practice swings and firs five shots, then disappears until the next time. I've had Xray and MRI which haven't come up with much - does this mean just some sort of tendonitis?

Hawkeye77

Yep, no need to revive a dead thread over a medical issue - don't play through pain, get it diagnosed by a specialist (i.e., not a stranger on the internet). Looking for self-treatment advice is, well, silly.

What happens when you swing your hand?

The forces applied to the hands throughout the swing can cause soft-tissue inflammation or sprains, nerve damage, or fractures to the eight tiny carpal bones of the joint. The most easily injured is the hamate bone on the pinky side of your glove hand at the wrist.

Do golfers have hand injuries?

Considering the punishment your wrists endure because of golf—helping you swing the club through thick grass, plugged bunker lies and two-hour grind sessions on the range—it's amazing more golfers don't suffer hand injuries. "Actually, they do," says Dave Phillips, golf-and-fitness expert at the Titleist Performance Institute. "They're fairly common, and you typically don't come back quickly from one."

Why does my thumb feel weakened?

Your hand may feel weakened as discomfort can lead to protecting the thumb from tasks (e.g., opening jar s) in which grip power is necessary and potentially painful. Self-Care: There is a wide range of nonsurgical managements—ice, heat, splints and judicious use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatories.

What is the thumb in golf?

The thumb is remarkable, and we ask much of it. Gripping a golf club throughout the swing means positioning the thumb at multiple points in space , and that demands great flexibility. This flexibility is provided by two hinge joints and the very agile basilar joint — where the thumb plugs into your wrist — plus great strength and stability.

What joint should a thumb splint be used for?

Any splint used should include the thumb to help support the basilar joint. Doctor Visit: A diagnosis will likely entail the doctor loading the thumb’s basilar joint and briefly “grinding” it — you may feel the discomfort and mechanical symptoms that accompany joint irregularity.

Can golfers get arthritis?

This balancing act can create a problem that manifests as friction at the basilar joint—aka arthritis. Almost all golfers will eventually get a little degenerative “wear and tear” arthritis at the thumb joint.

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