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Updated: May 12, 2026
06:14
In Vivo Protocol of Controlled Subconcussive Head Impacts for the Validation of Field Study Data
Published on: April 18, 2019
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"Par for the Cortex": Epidemiology and Management of Golf-Related Neurological Injuries
Raahim Bashir1, Jonathan Collard de Beaufort2, Hardik Bhaskar2
1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Neurosurgery Practice
|October 30, 2025
Summary
Golfing can cause neurological injuries, primarily head trauma like skull fractures, especially from golf clubs or vehicles. While generally safe, prompt evaluation is crucial for these rare but serious golf-related injuries.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sports Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Recreational golfing, though infrequent, can lead to neurological injuries.
- Mechanisms include impacts with golf equipment and vehicles.
- These injuries often affect the head and spine, requiring careful management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review golf-related neurological injuries.
- To analyze injury mechanisms, patient demographics, and outcomes.
- To identify key factors influencing injury severity and management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of a single-institution database (2006-2024).
- Analysis of 29 patients with golf-related neurological injuries.
- Statistical comparison of age, sex, length of stay, injury severity scores, and mechanisms of injury.
Main Results:
- Most injuries (58.6%) involved golf clubs, followed by golf vehicles (24.1%) and golf balls (17.2%).
- Head injuries (96.6%) were most common, including skull fractures (79.3%), cerebral contusions, and subdural hematomas.
- Golf vehicle injuries had significantly higher injury severity scores compared to other mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Neurological injuries from golf, while rare, necessitate recognition of potential skull fractures and intracranial hemorrhage.
- Most cases are managed conservatively, but some require neurosurgical intervention.
- Golf remains a relatively safe sport neurologically, despite documented traumatic injuries.
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