The first rules for golf were written in 1774 by Edinburgh golfers, who practiced a game that originated along the coast
of Scotland during the 15th century. The original game involved using a club or stick to hit a pebble around sand dunes. Today, golf is played worldwide, predominantly in English-speaking countries, by males and females, in club, collegiate, amateur and professional levels. Recreational golfers comprise the greatest number of participants in
the sport, though. Rules of the sport are standardized by the “R&A” (Royal and Ancient), but the game is played with
varying formats that depend on the number of players and the tournament.

Golfers are most frequently affected by lower back pain, followed by injuries to the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Medial
epicondylitis and lateral epicondylitis are the most common injuries to the elbow. Extensor tenditinitis and flexor tendinitis are the most common injuries to golfers’ wrists. Rotator cuff injuries, pectoralis injuries and latissimus injuries occur in and around the shoulder of golfers. Impingement syndrome may occur as well.
 

AMSSM Member Author: George G.A. Pujalte, MD