Play It Safe on the Golf Course

Golf may seem like a relatively safe sport, but both amateurs and professionals sustain injuries while playing. Golfers might also experience pain while playing, as a result of tendinitis, disc inflammation, arthritis, or injuries sustained at work.

So how can you stay safe and optimize your game? One way is to protect your back both on and off the course.

Good posture reduces stress on your joints, resulting in less back pain over the long term. When standing, imagine a straight line passing vertically through your body, and a cord lifting your breastbone and rib cage up and elongating your neck. Model your stance after a dancer or ice skater, instead of a soldier at attention: graceful, but not strained.

A proper golf posture keeps stress off your spine and puts you in position to execute a balanced swing. The key to avoiding injury is to stay balanced and tension-free.

Occasionally, you might find that you need to lift heavy objects, such as your golf bag. When lifting, keeping a proper form is equally important.

• Warm up your muscles by stretching and doing light exercises.
• Stand close to the object. Avoid reaching for it or tilting while lifting.
• Plant your feet in a wide stance.
• Tighten your abdominal muscles and tuck your chin into your chest.
• Bend your legs, not your waist, to lift items below knee level.
• Initiate the lift with your body weight, keeping your arms straight.
• Lift the object close to your body, smoothly and without jerking. Avoid twisting and bending while lifting.

If you experience pain or discomfort while lifting, don’t push yourself.

Preventing back injuries in the workplace is also important. Back injuries that occur on the job involve more than lost time. They can also include medical care expenses, prescriptions, and lost wages. NJM Insurance Group provides resources to aid policyholders in their loss prevention efforts. If an injury does occur, NJM’s workers’ compensation team will manage the injured worker’s care. Learn more at njm.com/njsga or by calling 833-859-1920.