Hampden Sports Clinic - Sports Physiotherapy at Senior Golf open (Italy 2019)

Hampden Sports Clinic's Senior Physiotherapist and golf fanatic Lindsay Smart was providing physiotherapy cover for the Italian senior Golf open in San Daniele just North of Venice last year. We caught up with Lindsay about his sporting experience and what might have been once of his best work trips on record, down to his love of the sport...

I flew out from Glasgow through Amsterdam to Venice where a shuttle bus collected myself and my physio bag (magic sponge included). The course was situated 2 hours north of Venice in San Daniele del Fruili.

Physio provision was open to all players on practise days and competition days. There was a physio room situated in the clubhouse next to the locker rooms. Unsurprisingly the clinic was busy early and late in the day and a quieter spell in the middle of the day when the competitors were on the course. The middle of the day was used to catch up on admin or watch some golf. [More admin that golf right Lindsay ;) ]

What really struck me was how well people could perform with physical limitations. Arthritis is well set in by 50s which tends to affect joint mobility in athletes. There have been studies of late suggesting a relationship between performance and distance. A lack of flexibility has also been linked to a reduction in driving distance. A large number of the field were under par for the week demonstrating they can still play despite physically being less capable than their counter parts on the main tour.

My main learning point was the loss of spine rotation in the over 50s. I have worked with youth athletes for a long time. We use the lie and rotate test as a screening test and self-monitor. Most of the kids get a full score on this test. The older golfers do well to score 50%. This is generally noticeable in the way they swing the club. I would expect the reason for this loss would be degenerative changes of the spine.

My immediate conclusion for a golfer in their 40s upwards would be to try and maintain their spine mobility as much as possible. Exercises like foam rolling and arm openings would be ideal. From my experience, the golf swing itself tends to tighten up spine rotation rather than loosening off so hitting balls on its own wouldn’t cut it.

The golfers were fantastic company and more than happy to share their opinions and ideas. A frequent theme that I hadn’t heard much of were drills that can be done away from the golf course. Simply doing practise swings or practising a specific aspect of your technique. A few suggested doing exercises with bands. I have come up with a few exercises. I have made up a drill to get a longer backswing and a drill to start with downswing with my pelvis.

The journey home was a long one consisting of 2 buses, 1 train, 2 flights and a drive back from Edinburgh Airport. I had an hour in Venice and Udine – just enough time to check in on Facebook (and check the golf news). It was a long week but great fun!