Recreational Golfers Research Articles

Ankle Pain - Recreational Golfer

Ankle Pain - Recreational Golfer

Injury Profiles of Elite, Semielite, and Recreational Golfers, and Their Associated Risk Factors: A Systematic Review

Abstract Garrett, JM, Beaumont, PL, van den Hoek, DJ, Veugelers, K, Schmitz, M, and Bennett, H. Injury profiles of elite, semielite, and recreational golfers, and their associated risk factors: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1157–1176, 2024—Golf is one of the most participated sports played worldwide. However, how injury distributions change between different golf populations is unknown, and associated injury risk factors are unclear. Therefore, this review aimed to describe the common musculoskeletal injuries in different golf populations and identify their associated risk factors. A systematic search was performed to identify eligible articles through PubMed, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE, and Scopus up until September 4, 2023. Of the 4643 studies identified, 58 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Data from 10,437 subjects were extracted, with the most common area of injury to all golf populations being the lower back. Different injury distributions were found between populations with elite male golfers (n = 1924 injuries, 62% of all injuries) and recreational male golfers (n = 442 injuries, 45% of all injuries) reporting the trunk as the most injured region, whereas upper-extremity injuries were the most prevalent injury in elite female golfers (n = 890 injuries, 42% of all injuries) and recreational female golfers (n = 178 injuries, 47% of all injuries). Range-of-motion deficits at the hip and spine were identified as risk factors for elite golfers, whereas measures of lower-limb and trunk strength endurance were identified as risk factors for recreational golfers, suggesting areas of focus for golf practitioners. However, there is a paucity of robust studies evaluating the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in all golf populations, and because of the variety of methods and measures used, detailed comparisons and definitive recommendations were difficult to make. Nonetheless, this review provides an overview of the common golf injuries and possible risk factors, which can aid partitioners in developing strategies for injury prevention for all golfing demographics.

The effects of smartphone use during play on performance and enjoyment among recreational golfers

ABSTRACT Smartphone use during play is common feature of recreational golf. It is not known, however, whether this form of behaviour has any impact on golfers’ performance or round enjoyment. The present study is the first to address this question. Based on theories of cognitive switching and psychological detachment, we propose that frequent digital distraction resulting from smartphone use during play would negatively affect both performance and round enjoyment. We surveyed 186 recreational golfers (94% male) with a mean age of 55.7 years (SD=15.8) at five different courses directly after their participation in mid-week club competitions. Participants were asked to report their age, handicap, gross score, level of round enjoyment, and the frequency and nature of their smartphone use during the round. Our results indicate that smartphone use for work-related purposes has a small negative effect on performance (β = 0.11), but that smartphone use for personal purposes has no effect. Additionally, we find no direct relationship between smartphone use and round enjoyment, but propose that it may indirectly impact enjoyment through its impact on performance. Recreational players aiming to improve their concentration during rounds should be mindful of the manner in which digital distractions can disrupt performance routines during play.

Relationship between lower back strength and carry distance in male recreational golfers

Relationship between lower back strength and carry distance in male recreational golfers

Chronic Ulnar Wrist Pain In A Recreational Golfer

Chronic Ulnar Wrist Pain In A Recreational Golfer

Associations between Risk Assessments of COVID-19, Golf Club’s Risk Management, and Golf Participation

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on leisure and sport consumption. While many sports and recreational activities, including sports, were suspended to contain the spread of the virus, golf presented an opportunity for individuals to engage in outdoor activity where social distancing was possible. We investigated the importance of risk perception and safety management practices in relation to repeated leisure activity participation among recreational golfers via online survey (N = 268). The results indicated that recreational golfers’ perceived risk of leisure activity participation and perceived managerial safety climate had a significant effect, while cognitive and affective COVID-19 risk perceptions did not have a significant influence on recreational golfer’ revisit intention. The findings provide empirical evidence on how recreational golfer perceived the domain-specific risks associated with COVID-19 and managerial safety climate influence their sports and recreational activity consumption decision making.

Political Identity, Risk Perception, and Sport Participation: Conditional Process Analysis of Golfers’ Revisit Intent During the COVID Pandemic

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has been highly politicized in the US. This study explored the effect of individuals’ political orientation on the relationship between their risk assessments of COVID-19 and intentions to revisit the golf course. A first-stage moderated mediation model consisting of general risk awareness of COVID-19, perceived risk of playing golf, and revisit intention was introduced to specify when and how political orientation influences an individual’s decision to play golf again. Recreational golfers ( N = 199) from a survey panel took part in the study, and results showed that risk awareness of COVID-19 increases the perceived risk of playing golf while suppressing one’s intention to revisit the golf course during the pandemic. However, political orientation moderated the suppressant effect of risk awareness on revisit intent in that only Democrats showed negative effect on revisit intent while Republicans did not show any significant relationship. Findings are discussed in the context of a dual process model of political identity, and the implications for practice as well as future research are presented.

Strength and Balance in Recreational Golfers and Non-Golfers Aged 65-79Years in Community Settings.

Inactive older adults tend to have decreased strength and balance compared with their more active peers. Playing golf has the potential to improve strength and balance in older adults. The aim of the study was to compare the strength and balance of recreational golfers with non-golfers, aged 65-79years. Grip strength, single leg balance, and Y Balance Test (YBT) were assessed. Golfers (n = 57) had significantly (right, p = .042; left, p = .047) higher maximal grip strength, than non-golfers (n = 17). Single leg stance times were significantly longer in golfers (right, p = .021; left, p = .001). Normalized YBT reach distances were significantly greater for golfers than non-golfers for composite, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions on both right and left legs. Playing golf appears to be associated with better grip and both static and dynamic balance in 65-79 year olds, indicating that a study of the effects of playing golf is warranted through a larger, fully powered, longitudinal study.

P04-05 Testing muscle strength and dynamic balance in older recreational golfers and healthy sedentary non-golfers in community settings

BackgroundRegular physical activity is known to reduce premature mortality, and help prevent and manage chronic diseases. Despite this, older people are not sufficiently active. Playing golf is associated with better aerobic fitness and mental wellbeing but evidence of a relationship with strength and balance is lacking. If the physical demands of golf are sufficient to meet the World Health Organisation recommendations for strength and balance, golf may qualify for exercise on prescription/social prescribing for people with long-term conditions. The hypothesis of this ongoing study is that playing recreational golf will be associated with better strength and balance in older people. Data are presented for grip strength and dynamic balance in golfers and sedentary older adults, tested using simple techniques suitable in community settings.MethodsSeventy nine healthy older participants (aged 65-79 years) have been studied: 62 golfers (n = 31 females, 31 males) and 17 sedentary non golfers (9 males, 8 females). Difficulties in recruiting sedentary participants and then the outbreak of Covid-19 explain the discrepancy between group sizes. Golfers played 18 holes at least once a week for minimum of two years. Grip strength was tested for the right hand using the MIE hand-grip dynamometer, with results normalized to body weight. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-balance test, with reaching distance normalized to lower-limb length. Non-parametric statistics were used due to unequal group sizes.ResultsGrip strength was significantly greater in golfers than non-golfers (median and interquartile range); males and females combined; golfers 4.3±1.2; non-golfers 3.3±1.9 (p=0.039*; Mann-Whitney). The Y-balance performance was also significantly better in golfers than non-golfers (p=0.002*: Mann-Whitney). Normalised composite reach distance data (3 directions) for the right side were greater in golfers (81.7±13.3) than non-golfers (74.2±17.2).ConclusionsThese preliminary data indicate that playing recreational golf at least once a week is associated with greater grip strength and better dynamic balance in older golfers compared to sedentary non-golfers. These findings support further data collection (when permitted) to produce reference data. This will allow parametric statistical analysis to determine whether conclusive evidence will support the hypothesis, forming the basis of a randomised controlled trial.

Comparisons of Center of Mass during Golf Swings of 7 Iron or Driver

Golf game is competitive and it has attracted many participants due to its unique features. In the many features, kinetics of golf swing was analyzed to improve one’s performance level. The present study examined the center of mass (COM) of a recreational golfer during a phase from address to backswing top for two different golf clubs. Kinematic data were evaluated. The results indicated that there were some differences in COM between two different golf clubs.

Comparisons of Center of Mass during Golf Swings of 7 Iron or Driver

Golf game is competitive and it has attracted many participants due to its unique features. In the many features, kinetics of golf swing was analyzed to improve one’s performance level. The present study examined the center of mass (COM) of a recreational golfer during a phase from address to backswing top for two different golf clubs. Kinematic data were evaluated. The results indicated that there were some differences in COM between two different golf clubs.

여가정체성, 사회계층, 여가제약협상전략의 구조관계 분석

Despite the importance of social context in understanding individuals’ leisure behavior, there have been few investigations into how individuals’ membership of social class influences their use of different constraint negotiation strategy. This study explored social class as a moderator of the relationship between leisure identity, negotiation strategy and participation among recreational golfers. The results revealed that the extent to which identity predicts negotiation strategy use varies significantly across social classes. Leisure identity more strongly predicted self-focused/internally oriented strategies for respondents from the upper class while the stronger association between leisure identity and other-focused/externally oriented strategies was observed among individuals from the lower class.

Changes In Sonographic Characteristics Of The UCL Following A 30-minute Swing Session In Female Collegiate Division I Golfers

PURPOSE: Medial elbow complex injuries have been reported in competitive and recreational golfers. Ultrasound imaging (USI) is a common method for assessing characteristics of the UCL. Prior research has found that sonographic characteristics of the UCL and MJS may be altered due to loads applied to these structures. Loads resulting from repeated golf swings can potentially alter these sonographic characteristics. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the difference of sonographic characteristics of the UCL and MJS before and after a 30-minute golf swing session by asymptomatic female collegiate golfers. METHODS: Seven asymptomatic NCAA Division I collegiate female golfers (age 19.6 ± 1.5 yrs) participated. Ultrasound images of the UCL and medial joint space of both elbows were obtained using a GE LOGIQ E ultrasound unit. Participants were placed supine with elbow position at 30 degrees, with a wedge placed underneath the humerus creating a gravity induced valgus force on the MJS. Measurements of the thickness of the UCL at mid substance and trochlea apex and MJS were performed, and the difference of pre and post session sonographic measurements were assessed by paired t-tests. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in sonographic UCL and MJS measurements pre and post golf swing session (t = .55-2.3, p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot investigation found no differences in sonographic UCL and MJS measurements following a single 30-minute swing session. Further research is needed to examine potential differences using larger sample sizes, longer sessions, sessions over time, and more heterogeneous study populations.

The effect of grip position on golf driving accuracy and distance

ABSTRACT The grip position (GP) in golf substantially affects performance outcomes such as shot accuracy and hitting distance. However, it is unknown which specific GP (i.e., strong, neutral, weak) produces the desired shot outcomes. The current study investigated the impact of five systematically manipulated GPs using 15° increments between −30° (strong) and +30° (weak) on driving accuracy and distance. Data were collected using a Trackman™ doppler radar-based system for 28 amateur recreational golfers with a driver clubhead-speed range between 120 km/h and 153 km/h (M = 138.93 km/h, SD = 14.41) and a handicap range between −3 and −36 (M = −15.0, SD = 8.0). The results showed that GP significantly affected six dependent variables on accuracy (sideways deviation (left and right), accuracy absolute, clubface angle, club path angle, face to path angle, launch direction) and two outcomes on distance (clubhead speed and driving distance total). Overall, the optimal performance on driving accuracy and distance was found for the neutral and stronger GPs. Weaker GPs revealed significantly more adverse accuracy and distance effects. These results suggest asymmetric outcome effects of symmetrical GP manipulation. They also have practical implications for coaches and golfers intending to improve driving accuracy while maximizing driving distance.

Golf coaches’ mindsets about recreational golfers: Gendered golf experiences start on the practice tee.

Gender gaps in golf participation persist. Women make up less than 20% of golf’s population in the United Kingdom and United States. Their underrepresentation detrimentally impacts the golf industry, society, and women who are excluded from golf’s well-documented benefits. This paper connects theoretical constructs from motivational psychology with issues of gender discrimination in golf. In this paper we examine the relationship between golf coaches’ perceptions of recreational women golfers (their mindsets) and women golfers’ coaching experience. Specifically, two studies identified that (a) golf coaches reported more of a growth mindset about men golfers compared to women golfers, (b) that these mindsets were significantly related to the adaptiveness of coaches’ feedback, and (c) that growth mindsets about women golfers’ ability can potentially be fostered through experimental manipulation. Results are discussed in the relation to their significance for addressing gender gaps in adult recreational golf participation.

International consensus statement: methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injuries and illnesses in golf

Epidemiological studies of injury in elite and recreational golfers have lacked consistency in methods and definitions employed and this limits comparison of results across studies. In their sports-generic statement, the...

Ultrasound Imaging To Assess Medial Elbow Joint Space In Female Collegiate Division I Golfers

Medial elbow complex injuries have been reported in competitive and recreational golfers. Ultrasound imaging (USI) is a common method for assessing medial joint stability in baseball and other overhead athletes, however there is a paucity of literature in golfers. During the golf swing, there are increased valgus forces on the trailing arm elbow versus the leading elbow, potentially leading to increased medial joint laxity of the trailing arm. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine differences in medial elbow joint space (MJS) measured by USI between the trailing and lead arm of asymptomatic female collegiate golfers. METHODS: Seven asymptomatic NCAA Division I collegiate female golfers (age 19.4 ± 1.4 yrs) participated. Ultrasound images of the medial joint space of both arms were obtained using a GE LOGIQ E ultrasound unit. Participants were placed supine with elbow position at 30 degrees, with a wedge placed underneath the humerus creating a gravity induced valgus force on the MJS. Measurements of the MJS were performed, and differences between the trailing and leading arm were analyzed with a paired t-test. RESULTS: Mean elbow MJS opening on the trailing arm was .32cm (SD.079cm), and .28cm (SD .096cm) on the leading arm. There was a statistically significant difference (t= 3.495, p= .01) between MJS opening measurements of the trailing and leading arms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this investigation indicate that there is increased elbow MJS opening of the trailing arm compared to the leading arm. While this study does not allow for cause and effect conclusions, this is consistent with the increased load placed on the trailing arm MJS during the golf swing. Further research is needed using larger sample sizes, more heterogeneous study populations, and examination of injury rates and MJS measurements.

Stepping Out of Bounds: The Over-Prosecution of Recreational Athletes in Light of DFSNZ v XYZ

DFSNZ v XYZ presents a worrying precedent for anti-doping law. That case arose after New Zealand's anti-doping enforcement body, Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ), expanded its jurisdiction over recreational athletes. It did so by internal administrative decision and without notice. This action was upheld in DFSNZ v XYZ by a majority of the Sports Tribunal resulting in an unsuspecting recreational golfer being banned for one year. The decision upheld DFSNZ's extension of onerous obligations and invasive testing powers designed for elite athletes to the large proportion of ordinary New Zealanders who partake in recreational sport. This article critiques the XYZ decision on two bases: (a) DFSNZ's illegitimate expansion of its jurisdiction to recreational athletes by mere administrative policy change; and (b) the pitfalls of extending a regime designed for elite athletes to recreational athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has developed a new World Anti-Doping Code which will come into force in January 2021. The 2021 Code creates a new two-tiered system which treats "athletes" and "recreational athletes" differently. This article analyses the new Code and critiques its shortcomings with regards to defining the Code's jurisdiction and ensuring a proportionate response to doping in recreational sport. WADA's new code is a step in the right direction but fails to go far enough to align with the participation, health and education objectives of recreational sport.

An examination of recreational golfers’ psychological connection, participation behavior, and perceived constraints

The purpose of this study was to examine continued sport participation by linking psychological connection with participation behavior and constraints. Recreational golfers (N = 714) completed a survey based on the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM), leisure constraints, and participation behavior items. Participants were classified into four PCM levels: awareness (n = 51), attraction (n = 133), attachment (n = 357), and allegiance (n = 173). Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA) revealed unique characteristics for each PCM level based on participation behavior, where higher PCM levels related to more participation behavior. With respect to constraints, self-confidence and interest were more associated with lower PCM levels and structural and social factors were associated with higher PCM levels. The findings contribute to theory on continued participation in sport and leisure and provide empirical evidence for the PCM and leisure constraints frameworks.

The metabolic demand of external load carriage in golfers: a comparison of a single versus double-strap golf bag

A golf bag filled with a set of clubs provides a substantial load. When carried over distance this can increase the demands placed upon the golfer, leading to discomfort, fatigue and injuries. This study aimed to compare the metabolic demands of 2 methods of golf bag carriage. A total of 16 healthy male recreational golfers participated in the study. Participants were given an initial familiarization session in which their self-selected walking speed was determined. This was utilized as the treadmill speed for all subsequent trials. The testing protocol consisted of 3 randomized trials of treadmill walking for 5 minutes in each of three conditions: unloaded, single-strap bag and double-strap bag. Equipment consisted of a double-strap golf bag with a standard set of clubs weighing 12.5kg. For all trials oxygen consumption (L·min-1), VO2 (mL·kg·min-1) respiratory minute volume (VE) (L·min-1), and heart rate (HR) were measured. Results showed that the double-strap bag required significantly less oxygen consumption (1.19±0.19 vs. 1.31±0.16 L·min-1, P<0.01) relative oxygen consumption (14.49±2.06 vs. 15.93±2.25 mL·kg·min-1, P<0.01), reduced respiratory minute volume (29.95±4.19 vs. 32.47±4.26 L·min-1, P<0.05), and lower heart rates (100.14±11.05 vs. 106.96±9.33 BPM, P<0.001) than the single-strap bag. Both methods of carriage showed significantly greater metabolic demands than the unloaded condition (P<0.05). The decreased metabolic cost of carrying a double-strap golf bag may facilitate a reduction in fatigue and reduced mechanical stress. Golf bag transportation must therefore be recognized as a factor in reducing the risk of injury and improving playing performance.