Returning to Golf Following Shoulder Surgery
One of the most common injuries for golfers is a torn rotator cuff. The golf swing places stress on the shoulder and the rotator cuff, and just as often happens with a baseball pitcher, the ligament can wear down and eventually tear, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation. The good news is that the majority of golfers recover fully and are back on the course within six months if they follow their doctor’s advice and embark on a regimen of physical therapy following surgery.
With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you recover and return to golf as quickly as possible.
- Stay Faithful to PT
A physical therapy program with a qualified professional is the first step toward getting back on the golf course. Range-of-motion exercises will come first, followed by light resistance training with rubber bands, and, finally, working with two- and three-pound weights. Your physical therapist will give you a program of exercises to follow at home; make sure to do them each day you’re not at PT. Sticking to a schedule will play a critical role in a successful recovery.
- Start Slowly
Once soft tissue heals following surgery, which is in about three months, you can begin to hit balls with light, gentle swings, gradually increasing the intensity and duration of your sessions as your shoulder heals and strengthens. Pay attention to pain, fatigue and any tightness in your shoulder. If anything feels off, stop.
- Return Gradually
Begin with putting and chipping. This reintroduces rotational movement to your shoulder without overstressing the joint. Next, work your way to half-swings with a pitching wedge and 9-iron. You will find that you’re only hitting the ball half the distance that you did prior to surgery, but that’s fine. The idea is to gradually stretch out the joint. Go to the range twice a week, moving up in clubs with each succeeding week to the mid-irons, hybrids and, finally, the driver. As each week proceeds, you will gradually increase the length of your swing. This process should take about one month to six weeks. A gradual return to activity helps your body adjust to the demands of golf without overtaxing or straining it. As your strength, endurance, and confidence return, you can slowly ramp up activity to your pre-injury level.
- Be Sure to Warm Up
Warming up before play is important, whether or not you have an injury. In fact, a proper warmup routine can actually help prevent injuries. It prepares your muscles for the extra demands about to be placed on them, reducing the risk of strain and pain. Generally, you should devote about 10 minutes before play to warm up your muscles and ensure they receive an influx of oxygen and nutrients.
- Don’t Forget Flexibility and Core Strength
It’s easy to obsess over shoulder strength, but the core and hip mobility played a huge role in reducing load on the upper body. Dynamic stretches and mobility exercises before every round reduce injury risk and improve performance.
- Stay Patient
The first few months following surgery should focus entirely on healing, regaining mobility and slowly rebuilding strength. Pushing too soon could set you back months. The recovery process is slow and frustrating, with progress often difficult to detect. Once your shoulder starts to feel better, you might be tempted to start golfing again. But pushing forward too soon could reinjure your rotator cuff, leading to increased pain and a longer recovery process. Muscle soreness is not uncommon, but pain is a sign to back off.
Remember, returning to golf after rotator cuff surgery is not just about being able to play again, but being able to avoid further injury to your shoulder. How soon you return to golf will be guided by the type of surgery and how you heal. In general, most people can expect to return to the golf course at 100 percent by six months after surgery.
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