There’s plenty of nice weather left this season for some great golfing. For golfers, the most commonly injured body parts are the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder and lower back. With nearly 28 million golfers in the U.S., golf injuries are a common occurrence. To prevent injuries during this golf season, follow these four tips:

1. Warm-up and stretch properly: 80% of golfers spend less than 10 minutes warming up before playing. This can be dangerous and cause serious injury. All golfers should have a comprehensive warm-up routine before playing.
2. Gradually increase amount of play: At the beginning of the season, a golfer’s body may not be used to the intense upper extremity activity from the game, potentially causing injury. To avoid an overuse injury, gradually increase the amount of playing when the season begins.
3. Core muscle strengthening: Keeping the core muscles in good shape will help prevent serious injury.
4. Refining technique: Many golf injuries happen when a golfer’s swing is not in correct form. To put less stress on the body, work with an expert to refine your technique.

Learn more about the different types of golf injuries by downloading our infographic. You can also visit www.handcare.org to read more.