Golf
Injuries and Feet
Golf is not a contact sport but it still
puts enormous demands on the body. Recognizing the potential
golfing injuries and planning ahead can prevent any
injuries down the road.
The
mechanics of your feet and the golf swing
Summary
During the golf swing the body acts as
a whip, power production starts with the feet pushing
against the ground. The foot pivots and provides intrinsic
lateral movement to enable the hip to fully rotate around
a fixed leg position. Each foot moves differently during
a golf swing, the back foot must allow for more pronation
during the follow through of the golf swing than the
front foot.
Biomechanics
The anatomy of a biomechanically sound swing goes like
this: During set-up, your weight should be evenly distributed
on both feet with slightly more weight on the forefoot
as you lean over, and slightly more weight on the insides
of both feet.
Maintenance of proper foot alignment on the back swing
is critical for control of the downswing and contact
position. During the back swing, weight should be shifted
to the back foot. It should be evenly distributed on
the back foot or maintained slightly on the inside.
Shifting weight to the outside leaves you susceptible
to the dreaded "sway," a common error in swing.
Without an exact reversal of the sway in the downswing,
swaying will result in improper contact with the ball.
As the back foot remains in a solid position on the
back swing without any rolling to the outside, the front
foot is in turn rolling to the inside. The front heel
occasionally comes off the ground to promote a full
shoulder turn. Completion of the back swing places the
weight on the back foot, evenly distributed between
forefoot and rear foot, with the weight left on the
front foot rolling to the inside.
The downswing involves a rapid shift of weight from
back to front foot; momentum brings the heel of the
front foot down, and follow-though naturally causes
a rolling of the back foot to the inside and the front
foot to the outside. Golf should always be played from
the insides of the feet.
Common Golfing Injuries
Lower Back
Pain and stiffness in the back and neck are usually
caused by the twisting motion of the golf swing as the
shoulders rotate around the hips. This twisting of the
torso in a coil fashion can put enormous pressure on
the vertebrae, muscles and ligaments of the spine especially
during the recovery phase. Indeed when one addresses
the ball the bent back puts one in a most vulnerable
position. Not surprisingly the US PGA cites lower back
pain as the dominate golf injury. One of the most common
causes of lower back pain is over pronation in the feet.
Even a slight postural misalignment caused by over pronation
can lead to back pain.
Inflammation of Arm Joints
Swelling of the tissue around the joints is simply a
symptom of over use especially when playing on hard
surfaces. A good period of rest is the best medicine
though physiotherapy can help to speed up recovery.
Knee Problems
Inflammation or pain in the knees is caused by the twisting
motion of the golf swing and sometimes by walking in
ill fitting shoes. Rest is the best medicine. However,
a re-evaluation of one's swing and orthotics can prevent
this condition from occurring.
The Shin
Pain in the muscles of the lower leg are usually caused
by excessive walking after a period of inactivity. It
can also be caused by over pronation in the feet putting
excessive pressure on the lower leg. Orthotics and insoles
are a ideal treatment option.
The Foot
Painful feet are common amongst golfers. Common conditions
include:
Heel Pain - This condition is also
known as plantar fascitis and commonly occurs due to
excessive pronation in the feet. Golfers will often
complain of pain when first rising in the morning and
after periods of rest. Pain will be located in the center
of the heel.
Metatarsalgia - This term refers to
any pain in the fore foot region. This can be caused
due or corns, hard skin or bony pain.
Morton's Neuroma - Inflammation of
the nerve in between the metatarsal's (bones at the
sole of the foot) occurs. This can be very painful for
golfers who walk around the fairway.
Tendonitis - Inflammation of the tendon
that runs along the arch region. This is a common golfing
injury as the foot can be placed under excessive pressure
during the golf swing.
Orthotics / Insoles
and Golfing Injuries
Insoles allow a golfer’s body to establish
a better point of contact with the ground when executing
a golf swing. They will also stabilize your
feet, evenly redistribute weight and correct your entire
body posture during the golf swing. Recent research
published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological
Therapeutics reports that 71% of participants felt there
balance was improved while using orthotics and playing
golf. An impressive 50% felt that they were
hitting the ball harder and 38% of participants reported
a lower golf score while using orthotics. This
research suggests that Insoles can help golfers improve
balance, hit the ball harder and obtain a lower golf
score.
Insoles also prevent and treat a variety of painful
injuries that can affect your concentration and ultimately
your golfing handicap. Bringing painful knees, legs,
feet or an aching lower back to the fairway can prevent
you from playing to the best of your golfing potential!
Dr
Foot Recommends
Review:
Dr Foot Golf Insoles gently re-align the feet
to their natural position and correct your body posture,
relieving many chronic complaints in the process. In
turn, Dr Foot Golf Insoles helps you hit further, play
longer, putt better!
At Dr
Foot we understand how important balance and stability
are to technique. And how they have a direct bearing
on the two most elusive aspects of many golfers’
games, control and distance. Besides stabilizing your
feet during your swing, Dr Foot Golf Insoles make your
feet more comfortable and your legs less prone to fatigue.
And you know how critical that can be during one of
those five-hour rounds.
Dr Foot
Golf Insoles control excess pronation and significantly
reduce the shearing and stretching forces which can
cause heel pain, foot pain, knee pain, shin pain, hip
pain and lower back pain.
 Read
more about Dr Foot Golf Insoles
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Quick, Secure and Easy to Use Foot Store!
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Customer
Review
"I received the Insoles over a week ago. I am
wearing them now and I already know that they are what
I've been looking for. I was very apprehensive considering
many previous failures with arch supports, and the fact
that this was my first Internet purchase of any kind.
I have been going to the golf driving range and hitting
around 100 balls with next to no pain at all, which
before was really painful on my lower back and my feet,
I just can't wait to play a full round of golf!"
Mr Saunders
Warwickshire, UK
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