This guest post is from our fitness guru, Kathy Ekdahl (Titliest Certified Golf Fitness Trainer.)

Golfers might not think too much about the strength and resilience of their forearm muscles until they develop elbow tendonitis- aka golfers elbow.

Yes, it is stress on the forearms that is usually an aggravating cause of nagging elbow pain.  Women tend to be more susceptible to wrist, forearm and elbow pain than men, as many women have weak upper bodies and neglect overall strength training.

Forearm muscles can be strengthened simply by using free weights, barbells and kettlebells, where a strong grip is built over time. This is best done pre-season when the stress of the golf season doesn’t compound muscle tension in the forearms. In season, be careful of overuse between golf and exercise, as golfer’s elbow can be the result. Self-massage with balls, massage sticks or fingers can undo the knots, rust, and tension in the muscles, which will then release stress on the elbows.