Describing the epidemiology and associated age, gender and handicap comparisons of golfing injuries.

Injury is the most under-recognized public health problem facing the world community (Theriault and Lachance 1998). In addition to being an enormous public health issue, injuries continue to usurp limited healthcare financial resources (Bauman and Owen 1999). Sports and recreational injuries are a significant public health problem (Bauman and Owen 1999). With an increase in physical activity participation rates, there is also a subsequent increase in injury exposure and injury risk (Bauman and Owen 1999). There has been a lack of epidemiological studies illustrating the extent of golfing injuries in the United States, as most research has focused upon sports perceived as being more aggressive or demanding. Injury studies are important to accurately determine the extent, nature and location of injuries so that appropriate intervention strategies can be developed (Bauman and Owen 1999). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine injuries sustained by golfers in the USA in the previous 12 months, including the professional medical care sought for treatment and the impact of the injury. A secondary aim is to investigate differences in the epidemiology of golfing injuries sustained by age, handicap and gender. 2. Materials and methods