Why Does My Elbow Hurt During My First Few Golf Swings?

Your elbow may feel sharp, tight, or sore during the first few golf swings because the tendons around the joint have stiffened up from repeated swinging and have trouble loosening quickly at the start.

You may notice the first swing feels rough right away, almost like the elbow is not ready to move yet. The pain is often strongest during the first few practice swings or early shots, then gradually eases once your arm loosens up. It can feel sharp on the inside of the elbow, sore along the forearm, or tight when you grip the club firmly.

This pattern usually points to overworked tendons that stiffen up after rest or after repeated golf sessions. Even if the elbow feels mostly fine walking around or later in the day, the sudden twisting and gripping of the swing can wake the soreness back up quickly. You may also notice the elbow aches more the morning after hitting balls or tightens again after sitting for a while.

The Elbow Feels Locked Up During The First Few Swings

You may feel a sharp grab or tight pulling sensation right as the swing starts.

The tendons around the inner elbow can stiffen overnight or after long breaks between swings, making the first few motions feel restricted and painful. You might notice the elbow loosens gradually after several shots once circulation improves and the area starts moving more freely again.

Repeated Practice Keeps The Elbow From Fully Settling Down

You may notice the soreness keeps returning every time you practice or play multiple days in a row.

Repeated gripping, ball contact, and swinging can keep stressing the forearm tendons before they fully recover. The elbow may feel manageable during activity once warmed up, but the stiffness often returns later after the arm cools down again.

Managing Tissue Stress, Circulation, and Recovery

Pain that keeps returning during movement, after activity, or once the body cools down often means the injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, or nearby connective tissues are still recovering from repeated strain. When an area stays tight, restricted, or painful with normal movement, the tissues may not be moving or recovering as smoothly as they should.

Repeated stress can also leave circulation slower around the injured area, making it harder for oxygen, nutrients, and excess tissue fluids to move normally through the tissues. Over time, this can leave the area feeling stiff, weak, tight, or easier to aggravate during repeated movement and activity.

Topical Recovery Support

For acute injuries with pain, swelling and inflammation, some people apply Acute Sinew Liniment to help relieve pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, and increase blood flow to injured tissues to support faster recovery and a quicker return to activity. Some also use it alongside Sinew Herbal Ice to help speed up the recovery process and restore normal circulation and range of motion.

For ongoing pain, stiffness, or slow-healing areas after swelling and inflammation have subsided, some people apply Chronic Sinew Liniment to help relieve pain, stimulate circulation, and support recovery in overstretched tendons and ligaments. Some also pair it with Sinew Injury Poultice to further stimulate circulation and support deeper tissue recovery in areas with persistent pain and stiffness.

To warm up muscles, reduce tightness, and improve flexibility before or after activity, some people apply Sinew Sports Massage Oil to help increase circulation, prepare muscles for movement, relieve tightness, and support flexibility after activity.

Safety Notes

This article provides general educational information about the topic described above.

Persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my elbow hurt more during the first few golf swings?

The elbow is often stiffest at the start of activity, especially after rest or repeated golf sessions that irritated the tendons the day before.

Why does the pain improve after I warm up?

Movement and circulation usually help the elbow loosen up, which can temporarily reduce stiffness and pulling during the swing.

Is this a sign of golfer’s elbow?

It can be. Pain on the inside of the elbow during gripping and swinging is commonly associated with golfer’s elbow and repeated tendon strain.

Why does my elbow tighten again after golf?

The area can stiffen back up once the arm cools down, especially if the tendons were stressed during practice or a long round.

Should I stop swinging if my elbow hurts early in the round?

If the pain keeps worsening, feels sharp, or affects your grip strength, it is best to reduce activity and let the elbow recover before pushing through it.