As the weather gets warmer, more people will be heading to the golf course. Golf has often been called “a good walk, spoiled.” It can be frustrating and challenging—but also rewarding and a great form of exercise. That said, golf can also cause injuries. While many golf injuries involve the upper body due to the swinging motion, the sport also leads to many lower body issues—especially foot problems. The main cause of golf foot injuries is the repetitive stress on the feet from walking 4 to 6 miles during a typical round. This kind of movement puts extra pressure on the soft tissues like tendons and ligaments, as well as on joints and bones—especially if someone is more active on the course than usual. Let’s take a look at some common golf-related foot issues.
Plantar Fasciitis
It’s not uncommon to feel sharp or aching heel pain after a round of golf. A common cause of this pain is plantar fasciitis. This happens when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot (the plantar fascia) gets overstretched or torn where it connects to the heel bone. Each step puts stress on this area, and the body responds by creating inflammation, which leads to heel pain—often the day after playing.
Treatment usually includes rest, stretching the plantar fascia and calf muscles, using orthotics (shoe inserts), wearing supportive shoes, and taking anti-inflammatory medication.
For more information on plantar fasciitis click here.
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a medical term for pain in the forefoot—the area near the base of your toes. This pain happens when one area under the foot is repeatedly loaded during walking or standing, causing discomfort, swelling, or a burning feeling.
People sometimes confuse metatarsalgia with Morton’s neuroma, a condition where a nerve between the third and fourth toes becomes irritated. But most of the time, metatarsalgia is not due to a nerve issue—it’s due to inflamed tissue from all the walking and standing golf involves.
Treatment includes resting the foot, wearing shoes with a stiff sole and a soft insert (especially one with a pad under the ball of the foot), and taking anti-inflammatory medication if needed.
For more information on metatarsalgia click here.
Tendonitis
Tendons are the rope-like structures that connect muscles to bones and help us move. In the foot, different tendons help with walking and swinging a golf club. Tendonitis happens when these tendons become inflamed from too much repetitive use.
It usually occurs when a tendon is overloaded—meaning it has to handle more strain than it’s used to. For example:
- Tight calf muscles can lead to Achilles tendonitis, since that tendon works harder during walking.
- People with flat feet might develop posterior tibial tendonitis, due to increased strain on the inside of the ankle.
- People with high arches may experience peroneal tendonitis, due to pressure on the outside of the ankle.
Treatment typically involves rest, bracing or using a heel lift, physical therapy to keep the tendon flexible and strong, and short-term use of anti-inflammatory medication.
Click on the links below for more information on tendonitis:
Stress Fractures
Though less common than other foot injuries, stress fractures can sideline a golfer for weeks or even months. These fractures happen when a bone is exposed to more stress than it can handle, leading to small cracks. At first, this might only cause some pain—known as a stress reaction. But if the pressure continues, the bone may fully break.
Stress fractures might not show up on early x-rays. However, pain in a specific spot in the foot may be a clue. After a few weeks, signs of healing might appear on follow-up x-rays. MRIs can help detect early signs too.
Common causes include suddenly increasing activity—like playing 36 holes in one day when you’re used to doing less. People with weaker bones (like those with osteoporosis) are also more at risk.
The location of the fracture often depends on your foot shape:
- People with flat feet and long second toes may develop second metatarsal stress fractures (also called March fractures).
- People with high arches may get Jones fractures at the base of the fifth metatarsal.
- Golfers may also get navicular stress fractures in their lead foot due to the force of the swing traveling through this part of the foot.
Treatment includes rest to let the bone heal, rehabilitation, and identifying and fixing the cause to prevent future injuries.
For more information on specific types of stress fractures click below:
While there’s no guarantee of a completely injury-free golf season, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk
- Wear comfortable, supportive, well-fitting shoes.
- Add soft over-the-counter orthotic inserts.
- Ease gradually into the season to give your body time to adjust.
- Warm up before playing.
- Stop if you feel worsening pain.
- Get expert advice if foot pain doesn’t improve.
By understanding these common foot injuries and taking some basic precautions, you’ll be better prepared for a safe and enjoyable season on the course—though lowering your score is another story! Good luck!
Stephen Pinney MD, April 9th, 2025
