Yes. Golfers do develop Tennis Elbow quite often. In fact, studies and surveys suggest they actually suffer this injury more often than Golfer's Elbow!
In the video above, and the podcast and article below, I offer my perspective on how and why 'Lateral' elbow pain / (Lateral Epicondylopathy) seems to be the greater challenge for golfers.
Podcast Version On Golfing Injuries Of The Elbow
Here's the downloadable version of this podcast you can keep by clicking the "download" link under the player below - And please subscribe on your favorite platform:
Table Of Contents Of This Article:
(Links jump down the page to various sections of this article.)
Golfers Get Tennis Elbow, Too
People who fly fish, do construction for a living, play musical instruments and/or use a computer a lot get injured frequently, too! (Often with Tennis Elbow.)
And let's not forget "Chuck It Elbow!" Another name for the same injury, but instead from throwing the tennis ball to your dog with the Chuck It thing over and over!
So, what's the difference, then?
What's The Difference Between Tennis And Golfer's Elbow?
Well, it's not about which sport you play. Players of both tennis and golf can and do get both types of injuries... (Skip ahead to more interesting parts below, like how golfers get injured, if you already know the difference.)
The short version of the difference is:
- Golfer's Elbow / (Medial Epicondylosis) is an injury that happens to the tendons of the muscles that close your wrist and fingers INTO a fist – at their “anchor” / origin tendons at a bony knob at your inner elbow... More on Golfers Elbow Treatment - And...
- Tennis Elbow / (Lateral Epicondylosis) is an injury that happens to the tendons of the muscles that open or 'extend' your wrist and fingers FROM a fist – most of which have their “anchor” tendons at a bony knob at your outer elbow... More about What Tennis Elbow IS
(These injuries are technically known as Lateral Epicondylitis / -osis, which is commonly called Tennis Elbow – And Medial Epicondylitis / -osis, which is the medical name for Golfer's Elbow.)
How Do Golfer's Get This Injury?
In this video two golf pros talk about alignment issues in the golf swing, explaining how common alignment and golf-swing execution mistakes set a golfer up for "Golfer's Elbow" injury.
(Although what they're technically talking about is Tennis Elbow, since they're referring to the outer / "lateral" elbow area.)
It's a common mistake – even among pros of both sports – to misidentify the injury by referring to the sport played.
Not that it matters that much. The nature of the injuries is exactly the same – And, you know if you have either one that they can hurt like hell and be a real b!#ch to recover from!
I think their last point is the key one: “Hitting Down on the ball,” which I believe refers to hitting down too early resulting in the classic “heavy” or “fat” shot and a big divot!
And the impact shock with the ground travels right up the rigid club and into the wrist and elbow muscles and joints.
Your wrist (whether or not properly “cupped”) will tend to suddenly go into a more flexed position, which the Wrist Extensor Muscles will try to resist (Eccentrically, by the way)...
While the muscle group is already under stretch in an extended (and sometimes HYPER-extended) elbow position.
Stressing those Extensor Muscles and their attachment 'origin' tendons at the outer elbow! (Lateral Epicondyle) – Setting the golfer up for a case of Tennis Elbow!
Do Golfers Suffer Tennis Elbow More Often Than Golfer's Elbow?
Yes. Apparently, they do! (According to golf-related websites and medical studies and statistics.)
Common sense suggests that golfers must have historically suffered Medial Epicondylitis more often then the Lateral version that tennis players tend to get – Hence, “Golfer's Elbow.”
It seems times have changed though! And, although tennis players do still develop Tennis Elbow more often than Golfer's Elbow (with the latter apparently on the rise!)…
The interesting thing is that golfers seem to be developing Tennis Elbow at a much greater frequency.
Despite having treated a significant number of golfers myself (with both injuries, but clearly more with T.E.) I didn't realize the disparity was that marked.
According to at least two major golf websites, GolfChannel.com, Golf.About.com, (which is now defunct) golfers are more likely to suffer Tennis Elbow than Golfer's Elbow.
This is backed up by By Karen Palacios-Jansen, writing for "Golf Fitness Magazine" in an article entitled, 10 Common Golf Injuries
And John Lindell at "Golf Tips" Golftips.Golfsmith.com - (Although this article doesn't answer the question it poses about "why" the injury is so common among golfers, simply stating that it is very common, I will do my best to explain why below.)
Not only is Tennis Elbow a very common Golf Injury - It's MORE common than Golfer's Elbow!The author, of this piece,...
Posted by Tennis Elbow Classroom on Tuesday, August 4, 2015
There seems to be plenty of medical data from survey studies and other sources.
A.R. Stockard, writing in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, states that:
“Although the term golfer’s elbow has historically described Medial Epicondylitis, the more common problem is actually Lateral Epicondylitis.”
“McCarroll and colleagues found lateral elbow pain to be more common than medial pain by a 5:1 ratio in amateur golfers.”
J Am Osteopath Assoc 2001;101(9):509-516 - Stockard AR
Also from the Physician and Sportsmedicine / PubMed:
"Lead arm elbow pain resulting from Lateral Epicondylosis (Tennis Elbow) is the leading upper extremity injury in amateur golfers."
Upper Extremity Injuries In Golf - Phys Sportsmed. 2009 Apr;37(1):92-6. Doi:
10.3810/psm.2009.04.1687. Bayes MC1, Wadsworth LT.
So, it looks like this injury is especially troublesome for the amateur golfer, whereas the professional golfers seem to have a more widely distributed range of injuries.
Why Do Golfers Suffer Lateral Epicondylitis / Epicondylosis More Often?
When it comes down to pure statistics a lot more people develop Tennis Elbow than Golfer's Elbow as a whole. T.E. is more prevalent in the general population, most occupations AND most sports.
If you want the simplest explanation, although these muscles groups are similar, one is stronger and more adaptable and is thus less likely to be injured than the other.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner! It's the Wrist Flexor Muscle Group. (The Golfer's Elbow side of your wrist/forearm/elbow.)
The Wrist Flexors being stronger, more adaptable and having a higher endurance threshold can better withstand and adapt to both sudden and long-term loads better than their opposing muscle group, the Wrist Extensors.
Let's keep in mind that it's the weaker and less adaptable Wrist Extensors of the “Lead Arm” that are on the front lines, so to speak.
A Right-handed golfer leads with his or her Left shoulder, arm and wrist, with the Left wrist facing the direction of the swing…
Thus, the Left Wrist Extensors (since the Left wrist faces outward or 'Lateral') are positioned right in the line of force.
And those muscles are the first to absorb the impact shocks from simply hitting the ball, or with the ground, in the case of a Fat shot – as they travel up the club and then into the wrist and elbow.
It's a rather unusual way to use those muscles and I don't believe it helps that the elbows (especially the Left in a Right-handed golfer?) are almost, if not completely, straight.
These muscles, (which also cross the elbow joint and assist as 'Synergists' in elbow flexion / bending) are under greater stretch with the elbow straight – so they have less ability to handle stresses – especially a sudden shortening from the lead wrist suddenly flexing from hitting a Fat shot!
It's a recipe for both gradual, chronic mico-trauma leading to tendon fraying and degeneration, if the tendon is unable to adapt – And the ever-present risk of a significant tear in those tendons or their muscles.
Why Golfers Should Take Tennis Elbow More Seriously
It's hard to say objectively which is more painful, but Tennis Elbow seems to take the cake.
It also seems to be more stubbornly resistant to healing.
I don't have the statistics handy, but they are practically worthless anyway, when it comes to the question of: “How long will it take to heal?”
Since the time frames are “all over the map” as I've explained here in my post on the average healing time question.
I think the bottom line is that the muscle group and their tendons, which are injured in Tennis Elbow are less rugged and adaptable. (And seem to have less of a blood supply.)
Whereas the Golfer’s Elbow muscles and tendons seem to be a lot stronger, rugged and more adaptable as I mentioned earlier. (With a better blood supply, which means faster healing potential.)
As a golfer, Tennis Elbow is probably the more limiting condition of the two; more painful and harder to compensate for if you decide to continue playing with it.
Whereas Golfer's Elbow is probably less limiting and easier to compensate for if you keep playing.
Both are treatable – although it's Golfer's Elbow that's somewhat easier to treat yourself.
Ether way, which ever you have, I have self-help programs for both here at Tennis Elbow Classroom for you:
Learn To Treat And Heal Your Own Tennis Elbow Or Golfer's Elbow At Home With This Video Program
You'll get instant access to a complete VIDEO program designed by a professional therapist to help you take charge and break your vicious cycle of pain and frustration!...I'll be your personal tutor guiding you through step-by-step video lessons, where you'll get the therapy techniques, key stretches and essential exercises you need to treat and recover from your injury at home. (Without any special equipment.)
Tennis Elbow sufferers: learn more and get started here
Golfer's Elbow sufferers: learn more and get started here
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