Last Updated on February 23, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
As a golf professional, I was never interested in competitively playing tennis. However, I certainly play it for fun, and now, I’ve caught the pickleball bug. In all the years I played golf, I never really struggled with golfer’s elbow. However, when I started playing pickleball, I got a case of something that I knew was not right! It led me on a path to determine the differences between golf elbow vs. tennis elbow.
If you are struggling with either one, I feel your pain. (Literally!) I’ll give you a rundown on everything I learned about the difference between golf elbow vs tennis elbow and the best steps you can take to fix these issues. Trust me, relief is out there; you just have to know where to look.
Golf Elbow vs. Tennis Elbow (What’s the Difference?)
Golfer’s elbow, known as medial epicondylitis, is located on the inside of the elbow. Tennis elbow, known as Lateral Epicondylitis, is located on the outside of the elbow. This is the quickest way to determine which sport is bothering your elbow and causing you pain.
If you had a tennis elbow case like mine, you would have no trouble identifying the affected area.
However, in addition to the location of the elbow pain, there are a few other vital differences to understand about golf elbow vs. tennis elbow.
Golf Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
| Aspect | Detail |
| Location of Pain | Inside of the elbow (medial epicondyle). |
| Caused By | Repetitive wrist flexion or gripping incorrectly |
| Common in Sports | Golf, throwing sports. |
| Symptoms | Pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow might extend to the forearm. |
| Treatment | Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and sometimes braces. |
| Prevention | Strengthening and stretching exercises for the forearm, proper technique in sports. |
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
| Aspect | Detail |
| Location of Pain | Outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle). |
| Caused By | Repetitive wrist extension or arm motions, often seen in tennis backhands. |
| Common in Sports | Tennis, racquet sports, and jobs involving repetitive arm movements. |
| Symptoms | Pain and tenderness on the outer side of the elbow can spread down the forearm. |
| Treatment | Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, braces, or straps may be used. |
| Prevention | Forearm strengthening, proper sports techniques, and ergonomic adjustments if caused by work-related activities. |
Golf Elbow
Without a doubt, golf elbow is caused by the repetitive motions we all have in our golf swing. Any golfers know that the better you get at repeating the motions in your swing, the easier it is to play great golf.
The problem is that you may be repeating the wrong motion or a motion that is causing you to get golfer elbow.
Symptoms
When you struggle with golfer elbow, you will notice pain and tenderness on the inside of your elbow. If your golfer’s elbow gets bad, it may extend beyond the elbow joint and run into the forearm.
The worst part of the symptoms of golfer’s elbow is that they will occur even when you aren’t playing. The pain is difficult to manage.
Treatment
Unfortunately, the words no golfer wants to hear. . . rest.
If you want to get rid of a golfer’s elbow, you can talk to an orthopedic specialist about a treatment plan, but they will likely expect you to take some time off. In addition, you may be able to use a brace to help, mainly if the issue was caused by improper form.
Prevention
Strengthen your forearm as best you can. Increase physical activity in the off-season so that you are in shape and ready for the golf season. In addition, take a golf lesson or two and make sure that these repetitive movements you are making are actually going to help your game and not just hurt you.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is the one that got me earlier this season. Trust me on this one: when you get into the pickleball thing, it’s hard to let it go. I thought I had a pretty good range of motion from playing golf and being generally active, but it wasn’t enough. The pain from the tennis elbow is outside of the elbow.
Symptoms
Great tennis players will tell you that you start to feel this pain on the outside of your elbow, and then it extends down into the forearm. It’s often first felt when hitting a backhand shot.
Although tennis elbow doesn’t start with a sharp pain most of the time, it is more of a constant ache. Don’t be fooled; pickleball players are just as much at risk for tennis elbow joint pain.
Treatment
Wearing a strap on your arm is a tremendous help when you notice tennis elbow symptoms worsening. The one I purchased from Amazon is very basic, but it did the trick to help prevent some of the pain both on and off the course. Also, I didn’t have any trouble playing with the brace on, which is a bit harder to do in golf.
Ice can also help with swelling; some doctors recommend anti-inflammatory pain relievers. Taking a few days off from tennis or pickleball will also help.
Prevention
One of the things I noticed causing the inflammation of the tendons was the improper grip size on both my tennis racket and pickleball paddle. With a smaller hand, if you are stretching to get your hand on the club, you may be setting yourself up for tennis elbow.
One other trick here is to make sure that your tennis elbow is not becoming worse with activities at work. Sometimes, construction workers and even typists are more susceptible to tennis elbow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need To See An Orthopedic Surgeon if I Have Tennis Elbow?
If you are struggling with chronic issues related to tennis or golf elbow, talk to an orthopedist. He or she may be able to recommend the proper medical attention and treatment options for your injury.
Will Resting Fix Golfers Elbow?
Resting is often the best way to deal with golfer’s elbow and joint pain players; these overuse injuries result from playing too much golf. Something we can all understand!
What is the appropriate treatment for golfers’ elbow?
The appropriate treatment for golfers’ elbows includes rest, anti-inflammatory pain relievers, and potential help from a physical therapist. The best way to prevent golfers elbow is to ensure you are holding the golf club correctly. In addition, be careful if you are practicing continually on a hard mat as it could put you at a higher risk for developing golfer elbow.
Final Thoughts
As a golf professional and sports enthusiast, I really enjoy getting some time in on the course and the course. However, I’ve had to learn the proper form and when to take a break. Don’t let a golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow ruin your season. Knowing the difference between golf elbow vs. tennis elbow should help you treat the issue quickly.
