Golfers and Knee Pain: Why Does Golf Cause Knee Pain?

Knee pain is a common musculoskeletal problem among golfers and can affect players of all ages and abilities. Pain may develop during a round of golf, after playing, or gradually over time as the physical demands of golf increase.

Although golf is often considered a low-impact sport, the golf swing places repeated demands on the knees. The lower body provides the foundation for the swing, helping to generate and transfer force between the ground, hips, pelvis and upper body.

When the knee is exposed to more load than it can comfortably tolerate, or when movement elsewhere in the body is limited, knee pain can develop.

At Cranbourne Osteopathy, we assess golfers with knee pain by considering the knee itself as well as the surrounding joints, muscles, movement patterns and golf-specific demands that may be contributing to their symptoms.

Why Does My Knee Hurt After Playing Golf?

Knee pain that appears after golf may be related to the overall amount of load placed on the joint rather than one particular swing.

For example, an 18-hole round may involve several hours of:

• Walking
• Standing
• Repeated swinging
• Uneven terrain
• Hills and stairs
• Getting in and out of a golf cart
• Repeatedly bending and straightening the knee

A golfer may tolerate each individual activity well but experience symptoms when they are combined over several hours.

This is why training load and recovery are important considerations when managing golf-related knee pain.

Why Does My Knee Hurt at the Driving Range but Not on the Course?

Driving range sessions can sometimes expose the knee to a different type of workload.

During a round of golf, there may be several minutes between shots. At the driving range, however, a golfer may hit dozens of balls in relatively quick succession.

This creates a much higher number of repeated swings over a shorter period.

If your knee becomes painful at the range but not during a normal round, the difference in workload may be an important factor.

Reducing the number of balls temporarily and gradually rebuilding your tolerance may be more appropriate than simply stopping golf altogether.

Knee Pain When Walking the Golf Course

Not all golf-related knee pain comes from the swing.

For many golfers, particularly those with previous knee injuries or osteoarthritis, walking 18 holes may be a greater contributor to symptoms than hitting the ball.

A round can involve several kilometres of walking, often over uneven terrain and inclines.

If your knee becomes progressively more uncomfortable as the round continues, it may be useful to consider your overall lower-limb strength, walking tolerance, recovery and playing volume.

How Can Osteopathy Help With Golf-Related Knee Pain?

Osteopathy can be part of a broader management approach for musculoskeletal knee pain.

At Cranbourne Osteopathy, assessment may consider:

The knee

We can assess knee movement, strength, joint function and the way symptoms respond to different movements and loads.

The hip

Hip mobility and strength can influence how the lower limb moves and absorbs load.

The ankle and foot

The foot and ankle form the connection between the body and the ground and can influence lower-limb movement during walking and the golf swing.

The pelvis and trunk

The pelvis and trunk contribute to the rotation and weight transfer required during golf.

Your golf swing

Understanding how your body moves during your golf swing can help put your knee symptoms into the context of the activity that is aggravating them.

Treatment Is Only One Part of Managing Golf Knee Pain

Hands-on treatment may be useful for some golfers with musculoskeletal knee pain, but long-term management often involves more than treatment alone.

Depending on the individual, a management program may include:

• Strengthening the quadriceps
• Strengthening the glutes and hips
• Improving relevant mobility
• Developing single-leg strength and control
• Gradually increasing walking tolerance
• Modifying golf practice volume
• Managing the number of rounds played
• Developing a golf-specific exercise program

The aim is to improve your ability to tolerate the demands of golf rather than simply reduce symptoms temporarily.

Do You Have to Stop Playing Golf If Your Knee Hurts?

Not necessarily.

Whether you should continue playing depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms.

For some golfers, modifying their playing volume or temporarily changing how they practise may be enough to reduce symptoms while they work on their strength and physical capacity.

For others, a more structured rehabilitation program may be appropriate.

The goal is often to find a level of golf that your knee can currently tolerate and then gradually build from there.

When Should You Have Golf-Related Knee Pain Assessed?

It is worth having your knee assessed if:

• Knee pain repeatedly returns after golf
• Your knee is becoming progressively more painful
• Pain is affecting your golf swing
• You are avoiding golf because of knee pain
• Your knee is swollen after playing
• You have difficulty walking the course
• Your knee feels unstable or gives way
• You have persistent symptoms following a previous knee injury
• Your symptoms aren't improving with your usual self-management

A healthcare professional can also help determine whether your symptoms are appropriate for musculoskeletal management or whether further investigation or referral is required.

Golf-Specific Knee Pain Assessment at Cranbourne Osteopathy

Knee pain in golfers isn't always simply a problem with the knee.

The hips, pelvis, ankle, foot, strength, mobility, previous injuries, training load and golf swing can all influence the demands placed on the knee.

At Cranbourne Osteopathy, our golf osteopathy approach considers these factors when assessing golfers with knee pain.

By understanding both the golfer and the demands of their golf swing, we can develop a management and exercise approach that is relevant to your symptoms and your goals on the course.

Whether your goal is to return to golf after a knee injury, walk 18 holes without pain, or simply swing the club more comfortably, a golf-specific musculoskeletal assessment can help identify the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.

If knee pain is affecting your golf, book a Golf Performance appointment with Cranbourne Osteopathy for a golf-specific assessment.