When identifying and assessing a golf injury, it is important to be able to understand the golf swing mechanics. Our Lead Physiotherapist Tom Ellerton-Unwin is passionate about playing golf and has advanced experience in screening all golf related injuries. Having previously competed at a high level he has further developed his knowledge and assessment skills by completing TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) medical level qualifications in 2021.
Golf related Injuries can occur due to a number of reasons
Frequency / time playing or practicing - Hitting or playing more often after a long break from golf can increase the pressure on your joints, muscles and tendons. This can lead to overload type injuries and pain. A player will often then compensate by moving differently to compensate and cause other musculoskeletal problems.
Technical issues - Swing characteristics can also aggravate conditions such as lower back pain or shoulder pain. These swing patterns could be movements described as early extension or excessive sway, which can both lead to lower back pain. A reduced amount of thoracic or upper back flexibility and lead to reverse pivot or sway to complete a backwing motion.
Acute injuries - Taking a big divot or hitting a tree root whilst playing can injure wrist joints and tendons. These conditions can stop a player from being able to play golf and will require detailed assessment and planning for treatment, so that return to play timeframe estimations can be more accurate.
Why come to us?
Tom is our Lead Physiotherapist and holds a Titleist Performance Institute qualified certification. He will work alongside your Golf coach or teaching professional, should you be working with one. Alongside our BodiTrak Golf System, our clinic also comes equipped with a fully kitted out gym, electrotherapy, hot and cold therapy, acupuncture and soft tissue treatment.
Exclusive Golf Performance Improvement Programs
Following your Initial Assessment, you’ll be recommended one of the following Golf Performance Packages to suit your condition, goals and expectations.
1x Golf Assessment
3 x Rehab Appointments
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x
Musculoskeletal Treatment
Soft Tissue Treatment
Strength & Conditioning Plan
Home Exercises App
1x Golf Assessment
4 x Rehab Appointments
1 x Sports Massage
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Musculoskeletal Treatment
Soft Tissue Treatment
Strength & Conditioning Plan
Home Exercises App
1x Golf Assessment
8 x Rehab Appointments
2 x Sports Massage
1 x Movement Assessment
Musculoskeletal Treatment
Soft Tissue Treatment
Strength & Conditioning Plan
Home Exercises App
Full Body Assessment
To assess each player's body movement, we use a physical screen that involves testing the whole body, from the neck down to the feet. This can also involve using each players swing mechanics recorded on video. Whereby, we will make a connection between the physical screen and golf swing biomechanics to help improve movement and speed. At this point we also encourage our clients to work with a Golf coach or teaching professional to optimize this process. Tom finds he gets the best results with his players when he works in conjunction with any technical drills or changes a teaching professional has recommended to his players.
Golf Health
Taking into account a player's physical capabilities will help to understand how they move and what type of injuries that player may be susceptible to. This could lead to our Physiotherapist designing a treatment plan to resolve any functional restrictions such as reduced shoulder movement to help reduce injury risk. It would also involve strength and stability training, for example around the hip region to control rotation of the body.
Foot Scanner Biometrics
We have been able to utilise our Boditrak pressure mattress to record the transfer of weight in the golf swing. This displays an accurate indication of how each player uses their feet whilst completing each swing. Changes in pressure from right foot to left, or from toe to heel can strongly influence the outcome and direction of each shot. Tom can also use this data to help optimize power and speed in the golf swing, increasing club head speed, distance and accuracy.
Strength Training
By using our in house gym, Tom is able to design training programs to improve your strength, speed and co-ordination. This can be made to suit each individual whether the player is new to the gym setting or experienced in strength training. Golf is a rotational support and exercises will be designed to improve stability and control of rotational movements.