Why Elbow Pain Happens in Golf (And How to Prevent It)
- Dr. Pat Bambrick, PT, DPT, TPI-C
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
Golf may look smooth and effortless when done well, but anyone who plays knows how physically demanding the swing can be (especially on the elbows). That’s because the hands, wrists, and forearms do a lot of work to set the club in the backswing and then release it powerfully through impact. And many of the muscles responsible for these movements attach at the elbow.
This is exactly why elbow pain is so common among golfers. One of the easiest ways to develop it? Dramatically increasing the amount of golf you're playing — particularly after a long break. We see this often at the start of a season, during periods of intense practice to make a swing change, or when preparing for a tournament.
Unfortunately, there’s no warning light to tell you when elbow pain is coming. So, one of the best things you can do is monitor how much golf you’re playing week to week. If you’ve doubled or tripled your usual amount, that’s a signal to start adding some elbow-friendly stretches and strengthening exercises to your daily routine. Ignoring this can lead to injury — and time off the course that lasts weeks or even months.
Another factor? Grip strength. If your grip is on the weaker side, your elbows have to absorb more of the force during your swing. This is just one reason strength training is such an important part of injury prevention for golfers.
Swing Mechanics and Elbow Stress in Golfers
Your technique can also increase the load on your elbows, especially the lead elbow. For example, if you tend to come over the top during your downswing, you’re more likely to release the club early and strike the ground with a more vertical path. This puts extra stress on the elbow joint.
One common result is the “chicken wing” swing pattern, where the lead elbow bends excessively through impact and into the follow-through. While this may help compensate for a physical limitation, it places the elbow in a mechanically weak position and reduces its ability to absorb ground reaction force.
Another swing issue that puts stress on the elbow is having a swing arc that’s too deep — especially if you’re unintentionally taking large divots. While some players do this on purpose, for many it’s a sign of compensating for limited mobility elsewhere in the body.
Why the Elbow Might Not Be the Real Problem
While these mechanics can all lead to pain, the elbow is often just the symptom, not the root cause.
For instance, if you have limited rotation in your lead shoulder, your body may compensate by bending the elbow more at impact. That small adjustment puts extra strain on the joint, setting the stage for overuse injuries. In these cases, correcting the mechanics without addressing the physical restriction won’t solve the problem long-term.
This is where working with a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certified physical therapist can make all the difference. A TPI-certified PT will evaluate what your body can and can’t do — helping you and your instructor create more efficient, sustainable swing changes. And if you're already dealing with elbow pain, a PT can help you recover while making sure you stay on the course as much as possible.