RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLUB FITTING & GOLF INJURIES

The relationship between incorrect club fitting and golf injuries, Written by Sandy Jamieson (coach to Robert Allenby) & Ramsay McMaster (Golf Physiotherapist)

Why is club fitting important in relation to the Golfer’s body?

• Wrong size clubs can cause back shoulder and arm injuries.

• It can lead to wrong swing paths.

• Your posture and address can be affected.

• Poor drills can cause excessive stress and abnormal loading through the heels affecting the swing.

The relationship between incorrect club fitting and golf injuries.

This is an extremely big area to cover as there are a minimum of twelve fitting variables.

However the ones which you probably need to be versed in are:

Shaft flex, shaft length, shaft composition, club total weight, grip size, grip material and lie angle.

All of these variables can have huge effects on golfing bio-mechanics. If enough repetitions are made with this equipment it could cause injuries.

Shaft Flex

The golf shaft is designed to flex so that the body can load the shaft during the swing to produce club head speed resulting in distance and consistency. If the shaft is the wrong flex this may cause the golfers muscles to strain trying to place a load on the shaft in an attempt to produce head speed. It may also produce jarred shots placing stress on joints, and mistimed shots resulting in the same.

Shaft Length

Will produce changes in swing plane [path] and possibly address depending on the extremes. Swing plane deviation may affect the smaller muscle groups and joints such as hands, wrists, elbows etc. The address deviations are usually evident in posture. Possible injuries could be spine related.

Shaft Composition

The materials that shafts are made out of have a direct relationship on vibrations felt up the shaft at impact.

For example graphite and steel produce different amounts of shock absorption.
People with conditions such as arthritis tend to suffer less pain when using graphite shafts.

Club Total Weight

Could affect muscle timing and cause straining.

Grip Size and Material

Affect grip pressure and hand placement. Possibly resulting in wrist elbow and
shoulder injuries.

Lie Angle

Lie angle affects trajectory and direction. Incorrect lie angles will produce compensations in the swing and the injuries could be numerous.

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