The Top Ways to Treat (and Prevent) Blisters From Golfing

You’ve probably experienced a painful blister while playing golf.

Golf blisters are common; trust us, you’re not the only one. Even great golfers can get blisters from time to time.

You will find out how to protect yourself from blisters while playing golf.

 

Most common areas where golfers get blisters

Golfers can get blisters in two areas. These are their hands and feet. These two areas can cause blisters that can keep golfers off the course for several weeks.

Hands

Golfers wear gloves to prevent blisters. A blister on the hand can be caused by skin friction between the grip and the fingers. To prevent friction between the fingers and the grip, players will use adhesive tape to protect their fingers.

Feet

An 18-hole golf course typically covers approximately five miles of turf. This is a lot of time to wear golf shoes. Although golf shoes have made great strides in comfort, a blister on your heel or one of your toes can be a nuisance. Foot blisters typically happen when golf shoes get wet or if they are not correctly fit to a golfer’s foot.

 

How to treat a golf-related blister

You must treat a blister in order to continue playing golf. Here are some of the best ways you can treat golfer’s blisters.

Golf gloves should be worn consistently

Keep your golf glove on if you have a blister. This will prevent the blister from getting worse. The glove provides a layer of protection you likely didn’t have earlier when the blister was created.

Use Golf Tape

Golf tape was created for golfers who have trouble with two or more areas of their hands or fingers rubbing together while they swing. You can wrap golf tape around your fingers or knuckles to prevent blisters from growing.

Neosporin and Vaseline

A treatment for a blister that requires Neosporin or Vaseline will ensure it is properly protected and heals. Make sure your blisters are not infected by getting dirty.

Take a break

Sometimes, a short break from golf is the best way to treat a sore blister. It’s hard to accept this because we all want more time on the course. But, if you give the blister a few days, it might heal on its own.

Bandaids & Blister Bandages

There are many blister bandages and bandages you can use to treat a blister on your feet or hands. These are great for protecting as they provide cushioned protection and pain relief. Be sure to change them often, so they don’t get dirty.

Keep your hands clean

A blister that has become infected is worse than a blister. Golfers should be able to return to the course as soon as possible with blister treatment.

Once you feel comfortable enough to hold a club or put your feet in shoes, you can go out and enjoy the outdoors. Just make sure you keep your blisters as clean as possible. Blisters will heal much faster if they are not contaminated with bacteria.

 

How to Prevent Golf Blisters from the Future

Now that you know why golfers get blisters and how to treat golf blisters, it’s also helpful to know how to prevent them. These are the top ways to prevent a golf blister from ever happening so that you don’t have to deal with it.

Keep Your Hands & Feet Dry

Blisters are very common in wet conditions. I was once playing in a tournament wearing a pair of very good golf shoes that I assumed were waterproof. My shoes were soggy by the end of the round that I had to wear thin socks and had blisters on my heel.

It was extremely painful and I had to put a lot of padding in my shoes to convince me to continue on the course. If anybody tries to convince you rain gloves or waterproof golf shoes aren’t worth it, they are wrong!

Purchase Good Socks

Some companies sell anti-blister socks and acrylic socks with extra padding. The soft texture can reduce friction. It is important to ensure that your shoe fits properly.

Make sure your shoes fit properly

Find a pair of golf shoes that fits you. If you feel any pain after you get off the course, your shoes may not be a good fit. There are many styles and brands on the market so it shouldn’t be hard to find the right shoe.

Keep in mind that each manufacturer of golf shoes will have a slightly different sizing. This means you need to be cautious when switching brands.

Use Foot Powder

A good foot powder can help to create a safe environment for your feet so blisters are less likely to occur. A great orthotic can also help prevent blisters from occurring on the feet of golfers.

 

Wear a Glove

A glove is the best and easiest way to prevent blisters. When you wear a glove, you won’t have to worry about grip pressure as much, and many gloves are moisture-wicking to help keep your hands dry.

If you want to prevent blisters, it is worth wearing rain gloves or winter gloves during long practice sessions. Try to be realistic about the amount of time you spend practicing, so it doesn’t end up hurting you.

Regrip Often

New grips make it easier for you to release grip pressure and have a better grip on your golf club. You won’t be as inclined to hold onto the club with the index finger or the right hand nearly as strongly as you do with an old grip.

Old grips can also hold dirt, sand and bacteria, making it difficult to heal a blister if you do get one. Regular regripping is a must for avid golfers.

Don’t Practice For Too Long

Golf practice is essential and something you should be doing. There is no such thing as too much practice. You can expect blisters if you spend too much time practicing.

Breaking up your practice is a great way to avoid blisters. After hitting a few iron shots and a few drivers, head over to the putting course for ten minutes. Once you are done, head to the chipping area and then back over to the driving range.

This type of practice will reduce stress and help you bring your knowledge to the green.