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Does golf make you sore?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 14, 2026

The twisting and rotating that goes on during your golf swing can put a lot of stress on your back and for that reason, a little soreness now and then is very normal.

Why does my body ache after playing golf?

Golf puts a lot of strain on the muscles, tendons, and joints in your shoulders and they are susceptible to overuse injuries such as inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons, impingement syndrome and arthritis, and strain and sprain injuries.

How do I stop being sore after golf?

The No. 1 way to prevent or relieve muscle soreness is to stretch. Regardless of fitness experience, it's essential to warm up and cool the body down around workouts and activity. Even if it's just a quick range session, take 10 minutes minimum for a head-to-toe stretch.

Can you get sore from playing golf?

Make sure you have the equipment and techniques necessary to use your muscles the right way; as is the case with many other sports, improper mechanics may lead to injury or severe muscle pain. You also may want to look into athletic clothing and gear for the game of golf that can help your muscles.

Is golf hard on your body?

Although golf is a low-impact sport, it's associated with several injuries. Many golfing-related injuries are a result of poor mechanics or overuse. The most commonly injured area is the lower back. Other injured areas can include the elbow, wrist and hand, and shoulder.

23 related questions found

What is the most common injury in golf?

8 of the Most Common Golf Injuries

  1. Golf Back Injuries or Pain. ...
  2. Rotator Cuff Injury. ...
  3. Golfer's Elbow. ...
  4. Golf Wrist Injury Like Tendonitis. ...
  5. Knee Pain or Injury. ...
  6. Foot and Ankle Injuries. ...
  7. Golf Hip Injury. ...
  8. Sunburn.

What injuries does golf cause?

The 5 Most Common Golf Injuries (and What to Do About Them)

  • Back Pain. ...
  • Rotator Cuff Injury. ...
  • Tennis Elbow and Golf Elbow. ...
  • Knee Pain and Damage. ...
  • Tendinitis in the Wrists.

Is golf a good workout?

Golf can be good for your health and your heart. Walking an average course for a round of golf can be between five to seven kilometres. If you walk 18 holes three to five times a week, you'll get an optimal amount of endurance exercise for your heart.

Why am I so tired after playing golf?

While playing golf may not require as much physical energy as a sport like basketball or football, fatigue can set in during a full-length golf game as 18 holes take an average of four hours to complete. [ii] When fatigue sets in during golf, it usually occurs during the final or back nine holes.

Does golfing build muscle?

Golf is good at working the buttocks, lower back, and abdominal muscles. This will improve your balance and give you greater strength, mobility, and flexibility. Good core exercise will also take the strain off other muscles and reduce back pain.

Why do my legs hurt after golf?

Herniated discs can occur in the lower back when making pulling, bending, or twisting movements such as during the golf swing. Symptoms vary, but they can include back pain, numbness or tingling, and weakness. They can sometimes cause radiating pain to the buttocks, legs, and feet.

Why do my legs ache after golf?

Pain in the muscles of the lower leg is 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. Jamming and deterioration of the big toe joint cartilage is caused by overextension during the follow through.

What is a recovery in golf?

It is when the average golfer is just playing for his bogey that we may ask the good player for something more if he wants to save par. The final clearing lines of a course, the pruning of trees, and the variety of grass textures used, all can have great influence on the nature of the approach shot.

How far do you walk in 18 holes of golf?

The World Golf Foundation estimates that golfers who walk an 18-hole course clock about 5 miles and burn up to 2,000 calories. But here's the rub: About two-thirds of golf in the U.S. is played in motorized carts. Some resorts and private courses even restrict walking and require carts.

How many calories do I burn walking 18 holes of golf?

For an 18-hole round of golf, which can run from 4-5.5 hours, a walking golfer can burn anywhere from 1,200-3,000 calories. A golfer won't burn quite as many calories if they're walking the course but using a push cart, but the energy expended to push or pull a walking cart will come close to making up the difference.

Can you lose weight from playing golf?

Golf can absolutely help you lose weight. Walking an 18-hole golf course in four hours can burn up to 800 calories, or even more if the terrain is hilly and if you are carrying your golf clubs in a carry bag.

Is hitting golf balls good exercise?

Conclusion – Hitting balls is most likely light exercise, but certainly not intense “golf exercise”. It probably falls into the 150 minutes of moderate activity that the American Heart Association recommends per week.

How do I stop golf fatigue?

Walk Instead of Ride. If the course is relatively flat and you like walking then it's a great idea to walk instead of ride. Sometimes walking helps keep you loose and in the zone during the round. If you get tired carrying a bag, grab a push cart or only walk nine holes.

Does golf work your abs?

Every time you swing your club, you're engaging your core muscles and improving their strength and mobility. It's no wonder pro golfers have some of the best abs around.

What muscles does golf work?

The most important muscles for golf are located in your core—which includes your chest and back—your forearms, and your butt. These muscles allow you to control the force and rotation of your swing, giving you more power over the ball itself.

Do you need to be fit to play golf?

Golfing is often thought of as a passive sport that does not require any real degree of fitness. In reality, golf incorporates cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and even balance and coordination. With all of these benefits, it's hard to say no to a game of golf.

Is golf hard on your neck?

Neck pain tends to develop in golfers on the lead side of their neck. It tends to occur due to fatigue in muscles and over practice. Tension in your lead arm places strain on your neck. Protruding your chin positions your neck in an extended position increasing compression.

Do golfers live longer than non golfers?

As golf can provide moderate-intensity physical activity – you can reap the rewards and outpace the grim reaper. A Swedish study found a 40% lower mortality rate amongst golfers, relative to non-golfers. That means a potential extra 5-years of life – regardless of age, or gender! Golfers live longer than non-golfers.

Is golf a safe sport?

Golf is considered a low-risk injury sport that is enjoyed by an estimated 60 million people worldwide. However statistics from Golfsupport.com show that injuries in golf are not as rare as first thought. Also the severity of the injury is often underestimated as well.

Can golf hurt your wrist?

Wrist Injuries

If you've been noticing a gradual increase in wrist pain after golfing, it may be tendinitis. Wrist tendinitis comes with overuse or poor form. Stress from swinging the club causes tiny tears in your wrist tendons. Those tendons get inflamed and cause pain.