Can golf cause groin pain?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 20, 2026
If you have pain in your groin after golfing, it may be due to decreased hip motion, which causes stress on the muscles surrounding your hip. Try adjusting your feet in your golf stance to relieve the discomfort.
What does a strained groin feel like?
Pain and tenderness in the groin and the inside of the thigh. Pain when you bring your legs together. Pain when you raise your knee. A popping or snapping feeling during the injury, followed by severe pain.
How do I know if I strained my groin?
Groin strain symptoms
- bruising or swelling of the inner thigh.
- pain when a person raises their knee.
- pain when a person closes or opens their legs.
- the groin or inner thigh may feel warmer than usual.
- muscles feel weak or tight.
- limping or difficulty moving the leg.
Can golf cause a sports hernia?
Sports hernias most commonly occur in high intensity activities involving cutting, pivoting, and kicking. While not reported in golf, the repetitive rotational demands of the sport place these athletes at increased risk for sports hernias.
What would make your groin area hurt?
Muscle strain is one of the most common causes of groin pain. Other common causes include fractures, tears in the cartilage, and arthritis. Hernias, kidney stones, and bone conditions may also cause this kind of pain.
25 related questions foundWhen should I worry about groin pain?
Seek immediate medical attention if you have:
Groin pain associated with back, abdomen or chest pain. Sudden, severe testicle pain. Testicle pain and swelling accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, chills or blood in the urine.
How do I get rid of groin pain?
Rest the area and avoid activities that cause pain. For the first day or two, put an ice pack on the area 3–4 times a day for 15 minutes at a time. Put a towel between the ice and the skin to protect it from the cold. Use an elastic wrap to help support the groin and keep the swelling down.
Can you pull your groin playing golf?
One of the most painful, frustrating and lingering athletic injuries is a groin pull. You may remember that golfer Tiger Woods' decline began with a groin pull, a problem that can last for many months and easily repeat once it happens.
How do you stretch your groin for golf?
Fitness for Golf: Supine Groin Stretch
Lie on your back with the soles of your feet together and knees spread. Relax, feeling the stretch in the groin. For more challenge: Bring feet closer to glutes. Benefit: This stretch releases the groin muscle, inner thighs, and hip flexors.
How long after inguinal hernia Can I golf?
Light exercise, such as golfing or swimming, is fine. Generally, you will be able to resume normal vigorous exercise and heavy lifting in 4 to 6 weeks.
How long does it take for a groin strain to heal?
There may be swelling or bruising in the groin area or inner thigh. If you have a bad strain, you may walk with a limp while it heals. Rest and other home care can help the muscle heal. Healing can take up to 3 weeks or more.
Is walking good for groin strain?
Immediately following your consultation, your physical therapist may advise you to: Rest the area by avoiding walking or any activity that causes pain. Crutches may be recommended to reduce further strain on the muscles when walking. Apply ice packs to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours.
How do I know if I have a hernia or a pulled groin?
How do I know if I have a hernia or a pulled groin muscle? Feelings of dull aching and pain in the groin area are common for both a muscle strain and a hernia. A key indicator that you may have a hernia, however, is if you have a small bulge or lump on one side of the groin.
How do you increase hip flexibility in golf?
2. Kneeling Hamstring Stretch
- Place your golf club under your kneeling leg. Keep your hips facing forward with your knee bent, toes up toward your nose, chest up, and back straight.
- Gently shift your hips backwards. Feel the stretch in your right hamstring.
- Hold for 45 seconds on each side.
What flexibility do you need for golf?
"The shoulders should turn at a 90-degree angle over the hips, which should turn 45 degrees—that's the x-factor," says Katherine Roberts, certified golf performance coach and founder of Yoga for Golfers. Stiff shoulders, tight hips, and stubborn hamstrings do little in helping you achieve this ideal swing.
How can I improve my flexibility in golf?
These 5 simple stretches will improve your flexibility and help your golf swing
- Twisting Stretch. Start with your legs wider than your hips. ...
- Hip Press. Tight hamstrings tend to put a lot of pressure on your lower back. ...
- Scarecrow Twists. ...
- Standing Side Stretch. ...
- Shoulder Flossing.
Why does my right hip hurt after golf?
Hip pain from golf can result from swinging the golf club over and over, which puts pressure on the hip joint and surrounding muscles. Pain can be also exacerbated if the swing is not executed correctly or smoothly.
Is golf good for your hips?
For people with arthritis and even those who have had total hip replacement, golf is still a great way to exercise. And you can still play a solid game as shown by a number of professionals who have had a hip replacement – Jack Nicklaus, Hal Sutton and Davis Love III among others.
When can you golf after a hip replacement?
Orthopedic surgeons typically recommend that you wait at least 3 months before returning to low impact activities like golfing. But as every surgery and patient are different, the amount of time you'll need before golfing again will be determined by your doctor.
Should I stretch my groin if it hurts?
You can begin stretching your groin muscles right away. Stretch gently and avoid any pain. If you have pain while doing these exercises, you should not do them. Standing groin stretch: Bend down and slide your injured leg out to your side.
Why do I wake up with groin pain?
Groin pain that is worse at night may be caused by osteoarthritis or tendonitis of the hip joints. If you are noticing it more when you are laying down to sleep, you may have an uncomfortable mattress or you may be sleeping in an unusual position.
Can sitting down too much cause groin pain?
And if you're sitting for 2-3 hours at a time this may lead to a bit of stiffness when you eventually do stand up and go for a walk, or may even lead to some pinching in the groin or hip when you go outside for a longer walk.
Can sitting Make groin pain worse?
Ryan Nunley, MD, Washington University orthopedist, explains, “Groin pain that comes from the hip typically develops slowly over time – without a specific injury or trauma. It is worse when the hip is flexed, for example, while sitting in a low chair or driving.
What nerve causes groin pain?
Ilioinguinal nerve pain
Generally, people experience sharp, throbbing, or burning pain in the inguinal or inner groin.
What are the warning signs of a hernia?
Signs and Symptoms of a Hernia
- An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin. ...
- A heavy feeling in the abdomen that sometimes comes with constipation or blood in the stool.
- Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.
- A burning or aching sensation at the bulge.