Why does my left thumb hurt in the golf swing?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 16, 2026
DeQuervain's tendinitis, also known as DeQuervain's tenosynovitis, is an inflammation and injury to two tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Forceful and repetitive thumb and wrist movements can irritate these tendons and cause the condition.
Why does my left thumb hurt when I golf?
A common injury for golfers is De Quervain's Tendonitis. The two tendons affected by this condition (abductor pollicus longus & extensor pollicus brevis) are both located at the base of the thumb, near the wrist. The tendons may rub as they course around a natural bump of bone at the back of the wrist (radial styloid).
Why does my left hand hurt when I swing a golf club?
Stress from swinging the club causes tiny tears in your wrist tendons. Those tendons get inflamed and cause pain.
Where should my left thumb be on the golf club?
The left thumb should not be placed down the center of the grip, but slightly off to the right side. When placing the right hand onto the golf club grip, you want to be holding the club within your fingers as well.
What is a thumb grip?
The thumb grip is like the backhand version of a panhandle grip. It's mainly used for backhands where the shuttle is in front of you. That means it's useful for many backhands in the midcourt or at the net, but not in the rearcourt.
27 related questions foundHow tight should 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.
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.
How do you fix a sore wrist from golf?
How to Manage Golfers' Wrist
- Rest your wrist. Take one or two weeks off from golfing and see if your pain subsides.
- Use hot and cold compresses if there is swelling and inflammation. ...
- Purchase an over-the-counter wrist brace to wear during the day. ...
- Try over-the-counter pain relief.
Can you get carpal tunnel from golf?
Wrist injuries (including golfers wrist)
Repetitive strain and poor mechanics can also cause problems. The most common wrist injuries seen in golfers are: Carpal tunnel syndrome. Numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, or weakness in the fingers may indicate the need for treatment, possibly surgery.
What is basilar thumb arthritis?
Thumb arthritis, also known as basilar joint arthritis, is the joint at the base of the thumb which allows for the swivel and pivoting motions of the thumb and is the most common form of osteoarthritis affecting the hand.
How do you play golf with thumb arthritis?
Build up the grip size on your clubs with athletic tape or a custom grip to help you hold them easier and to reduce stress and pain on your finger joints. If you have arthritis in your hands, try wearing wrist braces and gloves on both hands to stabilize your joints.
How do you tape your thumb for golf?
Start with wrapping a piece of athletic tape around your wrist. Make sure the tape is not too tight and does not restrict blood circulation. With the second piece of tape place one end on your inner wrist and wrap the tape up over your thumb and loop it back down to the back of your wrist.
What does the thumb do in the golf swing?
A long left thumb directs the hands of the golfer towards an all-fingers grip in contrast to a fingers-and-palm grip. In that position and angle a full wrist hinge is much easier to achieve.
What causes tendonitis in thumb?
Overuse is the likeliest cause. Inflammation can arise from repeated hand and thumb motions like lifting with the thumb up, squeezing, pinching, gripping and wringing. Scar tissue from an injury or surgery may narrow the tendon's tunnel, increasing the risk of thumb tendonitis.
How do you treat skier's thumb?
Skier's Thumb Treatment Self-Care at Home
Apply ice to the thumb for 35 minutes at a time, up to 4 times per day. Do not apply ice directly to your skin. Continue to use ice until the pain stops. (You should see your doctor as soon as possible after the injury and then follow a doctor's directions for ice therapy.)
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.
Is golfing 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.
Is playing golf good for your health?
Playing golf is good for your heart
So, golf exercises your heart and keeps your heart rate up. This will naturally lower your risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular issues, as well as potentially lowering your levels of 'bad' cholesterol. Regularly playing golf may even lead to an increase in life expectancy.
What muscles should be sore after golf?
While the most common area you're likely to feel some tightness is in your hamstrings, soreness can occur anywhere (calves, quads, groin).
What happens if you grip a golf club too tightly?
"Gripping the club too tight can cause thin, weak shots that slice. A lighter grip pressure enhances wrist hinge — a vital power source in the swing. This light pressure also increases the amount of clubface rotation, thus improving your chance of squaring the club at impact.
Should golf grip be in fingers or palm?
Grip in the fingers, not the palm
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.
Do you use same grip for driver and irons?
Yes, you should use the same grip for all of your shots with the exception of putting. It is important to have a solid grip and one that returns the clubface to square whether you are putting, chipping, pitching, hitting bunker shots or making full swings with your woods or irons.
What are PS4 thumb grips for?
The KontrolFreek Omni thumb grips are perfect for those looking to increase their win rate and comfort simultaneously. The tiny grooves in each thumb grip reduce sliding, keeping your grip firm and controlled. The simplistic style is great if you want to stick to the basics when it comes to your PS4 controller.
Do thumbsticks improve aim?
When it comes to improving your game, while paddles a great difference, nothing improves your aim more than having the right thumbsticks. Everyone has different hand sizes, thumb lengths, and preferences.