We have tended to focus on the ways that golf violence impacts people off the golf course. Today we’ll look at the ways it harms golfers.

We found a study published in the The American Journal of Emergency Medicine detailing the many types of golf-related injuries that lead to an emergency room visit. According to the study:

  • An estimated 663,471 patients were treating for golf-related injuries over the period of the study
  • Injury rates were highest among minors (7-17 years old)
  • Patients >54 years old had a hospital admission rate that was 500% the rate of younger patients
  • The most common injuries were due to impacts from golf clubs (23.4% of injuries) and golf balls (16% of injuries)

We have received a lot of mail from golfers who claim we have overblown the risks of golf clubs and golf balls, but these numbers tell a different story. This study shows how dangerous golf is even to willing participants.

Of course, the children involved in these incidents are not willing participants. They can’t understand the risks involved here and they are relying on the adults around them to judge those risks appropriately. Clearly, the adults in their lives are failing them in that respect.

We believe we have a responsibility as adults and role models to keep children away from golf.

Older adults (>54 years old) may be able understand the risks involved with golfing, but even the authors of this study recommend that “this age group merits the special attention of additional research and injury prevention efforts.”

We agree. The right way to prevent these injuries is to avoid golf altogether, at all age groups - everywhere. That’s what it will take to reach #GolfZero. As the adults in the room we must work to ban golf now.