Golf is one of the most popular sports on the Costa del Sol, with courses across Marbella, Estepona, Mijas, and La Cala attracting both residents and visiting players. While the sport may appear low-impact, the repetitive rotational forces involved in the golf swing place significant stress on the spine, hips, shoulders, and elbows.
Many golfers experience problems such as lower back pain, hip stiffness, shoulder discomfort, or golfers’ elbow, particularly when mobility restrictions or movement imbalances affect the swing.
At Costa Health, golfers can access specialist injury assessment, movement analysis, and targeted treatment at clinics in Riviera del Sol, Mijas and our centre in Marbella at The Club House – helping players move more efficiently and play without pain.
Common Golf Injuries
Golf injuries are commonly treated by our clinicians who specialise in musculoskeletal health, sports injuries, and movement analysis, including chiropractors, physiotherapists and sports rehabilitation practitioners.
Because golf involves repeated rotational movement and force transfer through the body, the most frequent problems seen in golfers include:
- Lower back pain related to spinal rotation
- Golfers’ elbow from repetitive gripping and loading
- Hip stiffness limiting rotation
- Shoulder pain during the backswing or follow-through
- Neck tension related to posture during the swing
A golf injury assessment typically looks beyond the painful area, evaluating how the body moves as a whole and identifying restrictions that may be affecting the swing.
Golf Movement Analysis: What Does It Involve?
A golf movement analysis evaluates how the body performs the rotational and stabilising movements required during the swing. Many golfers unknowingly develop compensations due to restricted mobility in the hips or thoracic spine, which can increase strain on the lower back and elbows.
During a golf movement analysis, clinicians commonly assess:
- Hip internal and external rotation
- Thoracic spine rotation
- Pelvic control and stability
- Shoulder mobility and stability
- Core stability during rotational movement
- Balance and weight transfer patterns
Identifying movement restrictions allows targeted treatment and exercise programmes to improve mobility and reduce injury risk. Read more about the role of thoracic and pelvic movement in the golf swing and how restrictions in these areas contribute to common golf injuries.
Quick Tip: If you notice lower back discomfort after a round, restricted hip or thoracic rotation may be a contributing factor. A movement screening can identify the underlying cause and guide targeted exercise to address it.
Sarah Monaghan’s Golf Movement Assessment
Sarah Monaghan is a chiropractor with more than 20 years’ experience treating golfers. During this time, she has worked with players experiencing pain related to the physical demands of the sport, including lower back pain, hip restriction, shoulder problems, and golfers’ elbow.
Drawing on this extensive clinical experience, Sarah developed a specialised golf movement assessment designed to identify the movement limitations that commonly affect performance and contribute to injury. The assessment focuses on:
- Hip rotation and mobility
- Thoracic spine rotation
- Pelvic control during rotation
- Shoulder mobility and stability
- Core control during rotational movement
By analysing these movements, the assessment can identify limitations that may increase stress on the lower back, hips, shoulders, or elbows during the swing. Read more about how posture affects golf performance and what targeted treatment can achieve.
Sarah sees golfers at Costa Health Riviera del Sol in Mijas and at Costa Health Marbella at The Club House. She also trains other therapists in the golf movement assessment method, sharing her approach to evaluating golf-specific movement patterns and applying appropriate treatment strategies.
Golf Injury Treatment at Costa Health
Golfers experiencing pain or restricted mobility can attend Costa Health clinics for assessment and treatment. The aim is to restore movement, reduce joint stress, and support a comfortable return to the course.
Treatment approaches may include:
- Manual therapy and joint mobilisation
- Soft tissue therapy
- Mobility restoration exercises
- Stability and strength training
- Advice on reducing strain during the golf swing
Addressing movement limitations can help golfers move more efficiently and reduce the risk of recurring problems.
Quick Tip: Golfers’ elbow often responds well to a combination of soft tissue treatment and adjustments to grip or technique. If elbow discomfort has persisted beyond a few weeks, an assessment can identify whether load management or movement changes are needed.
Our Centres on the Costa del Sol
Golfers across Marbella, Mijas, and the wider Costa del Sol can be seen at the following locations:
Costa Health Riviera del Sol, Mijas
Costa Health Located in Riviera del Sol, Mijas, this clinic provides chiropractic care, physiotherapy and movement assessment for golfers experiencing pain or restricted mobility.
Costa Health Marbella at The Club House
Costa Health Marbella at The Club House offers golf injury assessment and treatment for golfers in Marbella and the surrounding area.
At Clubhouse Marbella, we have a uniquely integrated setup where physical and technical expertise sit under one roof, allowing for close collaboration between myself and the golf coaching team in particular Alexandra from the PG Academy
A key part of our assessments are identifying any physical restrictions within the body that may be influencing movement. Once these are established, I work closely with Alexandra, to translate these findings into the player’s swing.
What makes this environment particularly effective is the access to TrackMan technology and dedicated golf bays, which allow us to assess both movement and swing in the same setting. We can assess the golfer and treat the golfer on site directly alongside swing analysis. This means we can review data, observe movement patterns, and make immediate adjustments in real time.
This collaborative approach enables us to link physical restrictions with identifiable swing faults, ensuring that underlying causes are addressed rather than simply managing symptoms. From there, we implement targeted drills and appropriate swing adjustments, combining physical preparation with technical coaching to develop more efficient, consistent movement patterns and ultimately improve performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do golfers get lower back pain?
Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints in golf. The swing places repeated rotational stress on the spine, particularly when mobility in the hips or thoracic spine is limited. When these areas cannot rotate effectively, the lower back often compensates, leading to strain and discomfort during or after a round. Read more about back pain assessment and treatment at Costa Health.
What injuries are most common in golfers?
Common golf injuries include lower back pain, golfers’ elbow, hip stiffness, shoulder pain, and neck tension. These conditions often develop due to repetitive rotational forces during the swing, combined with reduced mobility or movement imbalances.
What is a golf movement assessment?
A golf movement assessment evaluates the mobility, stability, and control required for an efficient golf swing. It typically examines hip rotation, thoracic spine mobility, pelvic control, shoulder mobility, and core stability to identify limitations that may contribute to pain or affect performance.
Where can I get a golf movement screening in Marbella or Mijas?
Golf movement screening is available at Costa Health clinics in Riviera del Sol, Mijas and at The Club House, Marbella. These screenings identify movement restrictions that may affect the swing and help guide treatment and exercise programmes for golfers.
Can chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment help golfers?
Chiropractic and Physiotherapt care can help golfers by restoring joint mobility, reducing muscle tension, and improving movement patterns that affect the swing. Treatment often focuses on the spine, hips, and shoulders to reduce strain and support efficient rotation.