Why does my hand hurt playing golf?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 14, 2026
Hand Injuries
What helps sore hands from golf?
The most common wrist/hand complaint is due to tendonitis (tendon inflammation) of any of the tendons that cross the wrist. Treatment usually consists of rest, splinting, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.
How do you protect your hands while golfing?
Golf gloves offer protection from the weather elements and keep your hands healthy. The golf glove prevents blisters on your hands from rubbing the club grip on the skin. Normally, if you are right-handed, you'll wear a glove on the left hand. But you can wear gloves on both hands for added protection.
Can I play golf with carpal tunnel syndrome?
Most people can return to activities like golf in four to six weeks. Success rates for carpal tunnel release are very high, and complications are rare. Learn more about hand procedures and treatments.
Why do my hands sting when I hit a golf ball?
That stinging pain that you feel in your hands is caused by vibration that is coming up through the shaft of the club and into your hands. While most people don't think of golf as a game that can inflict pain, those people likely have never hit a 3-iron thin on a cold morning.
23 related questions foundShould I be sore after golfing?
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 do my hands swell after playing golf?
Tendinitis in the hands can be brought on by the repetitive strain of gripping the club. You may experience tenderness and swelling in the hand, particularly along the top. Thumb tenosynovitis. Repetitive stress on the base of the thumb can lead to inflammation of the sheath surrounding the tendon.
Can you play golf with a wrist brace?
Wrist splints that support but do not fully limit your motion can also help. The 3pp Wrist Wrap NP and the 3pp Wrist Pop Splint have adjustable compression to support your wrist and the non slip foam lining makes them comfortable to wear while playing golf.
How do you prevent carpal tunnel in golf?
Doing stretching exercises that improve the strength and flexibility of the wrist and hands will help to reduce the risk of developing this condition. Using golf clubs that are appropriate for your ability and making sure your grip is correct will also help to prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Why do my wrists hurt after golf?
For example, if a golfer is swinging the club inappropriately or "casting" the club, it could lead to pain at the back of the wrist due to injury to a tendon called the extensor carpi ulnaris. In time, that can result in chronic wrist pain. Wrist injuries also can come from some type of trauma.
How tight do you hold a golf club?
You should be holding the golf club with the same pressure you would hold a small bird: tight enough so it doesn't fly away, but soft enough so you don't crush it. You don't want to choke your club to death.
Should the golf grip be in the fingers?
Make sure that the grip is in the fingers of your left hand, not running too much through the palm of your hand. If the grip gets into the palm too much it will make it nearly impossible to use your wrists properly in your swing.
How do you get the perfect golf grip every time?
Proper Golf Grip: 8 Simple Steps To A Better Grip
- Evaluate Your Current Grip.
- Grip Size.
- Hand Positioning.
- Get a Sharpie Out.
- Interlocking vs. Overlapping Golf Grip.
- Pressure.
- Keep Things Neutral At First.
- Alternative Grips.
What is the most common injury in golf?
8 of the Most Common Golf Injuries
- Golf Back Injuries or Pain. ...
- Rotator Cuff Injury. ...
- Golfer's Elbow. ...
- Golf Wrist Injury Like Tendonitis. ...
- Knee Pain or Injury. ...
- Foot and Ankle Injuries. ...
- Golf Hip Injury. ...
- Sunburn.
Do golfers get trigger finger?
Trigger finger injury is one of the most common injuries that golf players experience. It's a condition caused when the flexor tendon sheath that the tendons in your fingers run through is inflamed.
Why do golfers tape their fingers?
Many golfers wear tape on their fingers to prevent or cover up hot spots, blisters, calluses, cuts, and other uncomfortable distractions. It's part of their prep, covering up the fingers that tend to get mangled during a round of golf or a long session at the range.
Can I play golf with tendonitis?
Stage III of Tendinitis
At this stage, it's important to limit play to 50 percent participation. The golfer should play just nine holes of golf, not 18, and play fewer times during the week.
Are there any exercises for carpal tunnel?
Wrist Flex and Extend
Hold your arm straight out in front of you, wrist and hand straight, palm of your hand facing down. Bend your wrist down so your fingers point toward the floor. Use your other hand to increase the stretch, gently pulling the fingers toward your body. Hold for 15-30 seconds.
How do the wrists hinge in the golf swing?
There is no 'proper' wrist hinge in golf. Many coaches suggest to start breaking your wrists once you pass parallel in the takeaway, while others advocate a one-piece takeaway and only allowing your wrists to hinge at the top of the backswing. Both methods can produce repeatable, powerful golf swings.
Why do my hands feel tight?
Some of the potential causes of hand stiffness include arthritis, stenosing tenosynovitis, and hand injuries. When your hand or fingers are stiff, you may also experience pain and a decreased range of motion. There are many treatments for stiff hands, including medications, splints or casts, and injections.
What are sausage fingers?
What is dactylitis or 'sausage fingers'? Dactylitis is severe inflammation of the finger and toe tendons and joints. The puffy nature of the inflammation can make these digits look like sausages. Severe dactylitis can make your fingers so rigid that you can no longer make a fist.
What will make your hands swell and hurt?
Hand swelling is typically caused by fluid retention, arthritis, or a rise in your body temperature. Some causes will improve on their own and are not cause for alarm. Others can become more serious and damage the structures of the hand. Hand swelling may also indicate an underlying illness.
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.
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.
Where do golfers get sore?
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.