Dubai is a golfer’s city. World-class courses, year-round play, and a community that takes the game seriously. But the same swing that makes the game addictive also puts a lot of rotational stress on the body, and sooner or later most golfers feel it.
The good news is that the injuries which sideline golfers are largely preventable, and the same work that keeps you pain-free often adds distance to your drive.
Why golf injures more people than it looks
A golf swing looks smooth, but it’s an explosive, one-sided rotation repeated hundreds of times. Do that with stiffness in the wrong places and the load has to go somewhere, usually the lower back, the elbow or the shoulder.
The most common golf complaints
- Lower back pain: the number one golf injury, driven by limited hip and mid-back rotation forcing the spine to over-rotate.
- Golfer’s elbow: pain on the inside of the elbow from grip and impact stress.
- Shoulder pain: often at the top of the backswing or through the follow-through.
- Wrist pain: especially from turf contact and mis-hits.
Almost all of these come back to the same theme. A stiff segment somewhere in the chain forces another area to do a job it wasn’t built for.
Pain and performance are the same problem
Here’s what most golfers miss. The restriction that causes your back pain is often the same one capping your clubhead speed. If your hips and upper back can’t rotate freely, your body compensates, you lose power and you overload tissue at the same time.
So improving how your body moves tends to do two things at once. It protects you from injury and it lets you generate more effortless distance.
How a physiotherapist helps golfers
A physiotherapist in DIFC with a movement and neurofunctional approach will:
- Screen your rotation, hip mobility and stability to find the limiting links
- Treat any current pain so you can keep playing
- Restore the mobility your swing actually needs
- Build the control and strength that create speed safely
The aim isn’t just to patch up pain. It’s to make your body a better platform for the swing you want.
When to get assessed
- You feel back, elbow or shoulder pain during or after a round
- You warm up more slowly than you used to
- Your distance has plateaued despite lessons
- You want to play often in Dubai without breaking down
Whether you’re managing a niggle or chasing more distance, the path is the same. Move better, and the game gets easier on your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common golf injury among players in Dubai?
Lower back pain is by far the most common complaint, usually caused by limited hip and mid-back rotation that forces the spine to twist more than it should during the swing.
Can physiotherapy actually help me hit the ball further?
Often yes. The same stiffness that limits your hip and upper back rotation is frequently what caps your clubhead speed, so restoring that mobility can protect you from injury and add distance at the same time.
Do I need to stop playing golf if I have back or elbow pain?
Not usually. Most golf-related pain can be managed while you keep playing, and a physiotherapist can adjust your plan around your game rather than simply telling you to rest.
How is golfer’s elbow different from general elbow pain?
Golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inside of the elbow, driven by grip and impact stress through repeated swings, and it responds well to targeted treatment once identified correctly.
How often should a golfer get a movement assessment?
If you play regularly in Dubai, an assessment once your warm-up feels slower or your distance plateaus is a good trigger, rather than waiting until pain forces you to stop.
If golf is costing your back, elbow or shoulder, or you simply want to play more and hit it further, a physiotherapist who understands the swing can help. You can book a session here.
Marcos Jusdado is a physiotherapist and osteopath at Craft Clinic, The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, in the heart of Dubai. With 9 years of experience and over 12,000 sessions, he specialises in sport physiotherapy, functional neurology (P-DTR), vestibular rehabilitation and chronic pain, working with everyone from DIFC professionals to athletes. His approach focuses on finding the root cause of pain rather than just treating the symptoms.
