Golf might not seem like a high impact sport, but a round of golf can involve several miles of walking, repeated changes in direction and hundreds of swings. For your feet, that can add up to a surprising amount of stress particularly around the forefoot.
One problem we can see in golfers is forefoot pain, which may feel like a burning, aching or sharp sensation underneath the ball of the foot. Some people also describe the feeling of having a small stone or pebble inside their shoe.
Why can golf cause forefoot pain?
During the golf swing, your feet play an important role in creating and transferring force. As you shift your weight and rotate through the swing, pressure can increase through the front of the foot.
This can be made worse by footwear. Golf shoes need to provide stability and grip, but if they are too narrow, too stiff or don’t provide enough cushioning, they can place additional pressure on the toes and forefoot.
For golfers who spend several hours on their feet during a round, this repeated pressure can eventually lead to irritation of the structures around the forefoot.
Could it be Morton’s neuroma?
One possible cause of forefoot pain is Morton’s neuroma — irritation and thickening of a nerve, most commonly between the third and fourth toes.
Typical symptoms include:
- Burning or sharp pain in the ball of the foot
- Tingling or numbness in the toes
- Pain that is worse in tighter shoes
- The sensation of having a pebble or something stuck underneath the foot
- Symptoms that become more noticeable as you walk or spend time on your feet
Although the pain can sometimes settle when you take your shoes off, continuing to play through symptoms may allow the problem to become more persistent.
Don’t ignore pain between rounds
It can be tempting to put foot pain down to “just being on your feet all day”, particularly if you only notice it during or after a round of golf. However, recurring pain is worth getting assessed.
A podiatry assessment can help identify where the pain is coming from and whether factors such as footwear, foot mechanics, mobility or your walking and golfing technique could be contributing.
Treatment will depend on the cause. It may include footwear advice, activity modification, exercises, padding or offloading, and in some cases orthotics or other treatment options.
Keep your feet on the fairway
Golf is a sport you should be able to enjoy without constantly thinking about your feet. If you’re regularly experiencing pain, burning, tingling or numbness during or after a round, don’t simply wait for it to disappear.
The earlier you address a foot problem, the easier it can often be to keep it from interfering with your game.
If you’re experiencing ongoing forefoot pain while golfing or walking, our podiatry team can assess your symptoms and help determine what’s causing them.