Golf has a rich and fascinating history, dating back to the 15th century in Scotland. From its humble beginnings as a pastime for Scottish nobility, golf has grown into a global phenomenon, with professional tours, major championships, and a massive recreational following. Despite not being as physically demanding as other sports - with the emphasis more on mental strength, focus, and precision - golf still has its own unique set of risks. The golf swing is one of the most complex and technical movements in all sport, involving a precise coordination of multiple joints, muscles, and body parts. Golf is a sport that requires immense mental fortitude, focus, and concentration. Mental factors such as anxiety, stress, and self-doubt can have a significant impact on a golfer's performance and well-being. With the popularity of golf, it is no surprise that sports medicine professionals have taken an interest in the game, with research and studies being conducted on the biomechanics, injury prevention, rehabilitation and mental health of golfers.
I wanted to take this opportunity to review some of the issues that the golf medicine community has faced over the past few decades and to provide to our readers a comprehensive overview of the relationship between golf and sports medicine. I cannot think of better sports medicine experts to take on this challenging topic of Sports Medicine in Golf, than our two guest editors, Prof. Roald Bahr MD, PhD, and Dr. Andrew Murray MD, PhD. Prof. Bahr is the CMO of Olympiatoppen (the Norwegian Olympic Committee), and a world-leading expert on sports injury prevention, and an avid golfer. Dr. Murray is Chief Medical and Scientific Officer to the European Tour Golf, European Tour Performance Institute and Ryder Cup Europe.
Our editor, Laila Hrindova, who is the coordinator for this targeted issue is also an accomplished amateur golfer.
Our guest editors have done a fantastic job – they have assembled a team of authors who offer specialist insights on each of the topics. I thank all of them for their valuable contribution to this wonderful issue.
This issue of the Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal also features an interview with Suzann Pettersen, also known as “Tutta” - a well-known and highly respected person in the global “Golf Family”. With a successful professional career that includes remarkable accomplishments, Pettersen serves as an exceptional global ambassador for her sport. In the interview, Pettersen emphasizes the importance of hard work, patience, and adherence to one's plans in achieving the best results.
In addition to all these excellent papers, I would strongly urge you to read the letter from Belgrade “Why Medical Practitioners Should Be Goalkeepers of Medical Data Analysis?”.
As the Editor-in-Chief of Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Nathan Riding PhD, who has served as the editor of Industry News for the last decade, for his exceptional contribution to our publication. Although Nathan has decided to step down from this position, we are delighted that he will remain an esteemed member of our board and will continue to collaborate with us in various capacities.
Finally, we are pleased to announce the launch of the BJSM Global Research Grant Program. As a journal committed to advancing the field of sports medicine, we support this important initiative.
I hope that this issue will serve as a valuable resource for sports medicine professionals, golfers, and enthusiasts alike.
Prof Nebojsa Popovic MD PhD
Editor-in-Chief