Why Does My Elbow Hurt Every Time I Warm Up At The Driving Range?

Your elbow hurts every time you warm up at the driving range because repeated golf swings can leave the tendons around the elbow tight, irritated, and slower to loosen up at the start of activity.

You may notice the elbow feels mostly fine walking onto the range, then suddenly starts grabbing once you begin swinging. The pain often builds during the first few shots, especially on harder swings or when you strike the mat repeatedly. For many people, the inside of the elbow feels sore during the downswing while others feel pain more on the outer side when gripping the club tightly.

The driving range can aggravate the elbow faster than a normal round because the swings come one after another without much rest. Hitting off mats, over-gripping the club, or trying to loosen up too quickly can leave the forearm tendons feeling stiff and overloaded before the arm has fully warmed up. You may also notice the elbow aches later that day or tightens back up the next morning.

The First Few Swings Feel Sharp And Tight

You may feel the elbow grab during the early swings before the arm finally loosens up.

This often happens when the tendons around the elbow stay stiff between practice sessions. Once you start swinging, the tight area suddenly has to handle repeated gripping and rotation before it is fully ready. The pain may ease slightly once you get moving, but it often returns again after practice or later that evening.

Repeated Range Swings Keep Irritating The Same Spot

You might notice the elbow gets more painful the longer the warm-up continues.

Driving range sessions can pile a lot of repetitive stress onto the forearm muscles and elbow tendons in a short amount of time. Fat shots, hard turf contact, or hitting too many balls too quickly can keep re-triggering the same sore area before it settles down. The elbow may start feeling weaker, tighter, or more sensitive as the session goes on.

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 at the driving range than during a round?

The driving range usually involves more swings in less time, which can irritate already tight or overworked elbow tendons faster than normal play.

Why does my elbow pain improve after I warm up?

The area may loosen temporarily once blood flow increases and the forearm muscles warm up, but the soreness often returns later if the tendons are still overloaded.

Can gripping the club too hard cause elbow pain?

Yes. A tight grip increases stress through the forearm muscles and elbow tendons, especially during repeated practice swings.

Is hitting off mats harder on the elbow?

It can be. Repeated impact against firm mats may increase stress through the wrist, forearm, and elbow during practice sessions.

Should I stop practicing if my elbow keeps hurting during warm-ups?

If the pain keeps returning, worsens during swings, or starts affecting grip strength, reducing practice volume and getting the elbow evaluated can help prevent the problem from becoming more persistent.