Golfer’s Elbow vs. Tennis Elbow: What’s the Difference?
Elbow pain is one of the most common complaints we see in golfers. But here’s the surprise: not all golf-related elbow pain is actually golfer’s elbow. Many players are dealing with a completely different condition.
Understanding the difference between Golfer's elbow and Tennis elbow is the first step toward getting the right treatment — and getting back to pain-free swings.
What Is Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is irritation or degeneration of the tendons that attach to the inside of your elbow. It’s a product of overuse, lack of recovery, and at times from poor technique.
Where it hurts:
Tenderness on the inside of the elbow
Pain that may travel down the forearm
Discomfort when gripping or flexing the wrist
Why golfers get it:
Repetitive gripping of the club
Overuse from practice or range sessions
Poor swing mechanics (excessive wrist flexion at impact)
Hitting off hard mats frequently
During the downswing and impact, the wrist flexor muscles work hard to stabilize the clubface. When overloaded repeatedly without adequate recovery or strength, the tendon becomes irritated.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow. Similar to Golfer’s Elbow regarding overuse, recovery, and technique, but is a product of different mechanics.
Where it hurts:
Pain on the outside of the elbow
Pain when lifting objects with the palm facing down
Despite the name, tennis elbow is extremely common in golfers — especially in the lead arm.
Why golfers get it:
Over-gripping the club
Weak grip strength
Poor clubface control
Weak forearm extensors
Sudden increase in play volume
In golfers, tennis elbow often develops from repetitive strain during impact, particularly if the body isn’t efficiently transferring force from the ground up.
Key Differences at a Glance
Golfer’s Elbow
Pain location: Inside of the elbow
Tendons involved: Wrist flexors
Common in golf: Yes
Pain with grip: Yes
Pain with wrist movement: Flexion
Tennis Elbow
Pain location: Outside of the elbow
Tendons involved: Wrist extensors
Common in golf: Also very common
Pain with grip: Yes
Pain with wrist movement: Extension
The most important distinction is location of pain — inside vs. outside of the elbow.
Why Rest Alone Doesn’t Fix It
Many golfers try:
Ice
Anti-inflammatories
Braces
Time off
While these may calm symptoms temporarily, they rarely address the root cause.
Elbow pain in golfers is usually linked to:
Limited shoulder mobility
Poor thoracic spine rotation
Weak scapular stabilizers
Grip strength imbalances
Swing sequencing issues
If the body isn’t rotating efficiently, the elbow absorbs excessive force during impact.
How Physical Therapy Fixes the Root Problem
A golf-specific assessment includes:
Shoulder mobility testing
Thoracic rotation assessment
Grip strength testing
Forearm strength evaluation
Swing movement analysis
Treatment may include:
Progressive tendon loading programs
Eccentric strengthening
Manual therapy to improve mobility
Dry needling (if appropriate)
Grip and forearm strengthening
Rotational core training
The goal is not just to eliminate pain — but to improve how your body transfers force through the swing.
When Should You See a Physical Therapist?
You should seek evaluation if:
Pain lasts longer than 2–3 weeks
Grip strength feels weaker
Pain returns every season
You’re compensating in your swing
You’ve tried rest without improvement
Early treatment prevents chronic tendon degeneration and long-term performance loss.
The Bottom Line
Both golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow can sideline your game — but they are not the same condition. Proper diagnosis is critical. The good news is with the right rehab strategy, most golfers return to full play stronger than before. If elbow pain is limiting your performance, it’s time to stop guessing and start addressing the root cause.