Tennis Elbow vs Golfer’s Elbow: What’s the Difference?
How to Spot the Signs, & Get Relief From Elbow Pain
If you’ve ever felt pain on the inside or outside of your elbow – especially after moving your wrist or gripping, lifting, twisting, pulling or bending your arm – you may be dealing with either tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. While the names sound similar, the conditions affect different areas of the elbow joint and involve separate muscle groups.
At Body Advance, we regularly see clients struggling with pain linked to overuse of the forearm muscles. Whether you're an athlete, a gym-goer or a writer, these injuries can interfere with your daily routine. The good news? With the right diagnosis and approach, both tennis and golfer’s elbow can be treated effectively.
In this guide, we break down the key differences, symptoms, causes and treatments for each condition – plus how to prevent reinjury.
Book a consultation with one of our sports injury specialists today to get your elbow pain assessed. You can also read more about how we treat elbow pain here.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is the common name for lateral epicondylitis. It refers to pain on the outside of the elbow, caused by overuse of the wrist extensor muscles, especially the extensor carpi radialis brevis. These muscles help stabilise the wrist during gripping or lifting.
Despite the name, you don’t have to play tennis to develop tennis elbow. It often affects people who do repetitive gripping or twisting motions, such as typing or using tools.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms
- Discomfort or pain on the outside of the elbow
- Finding it difficult to fully straighten your arm
- Swelling or tenderness in your elbow
- Pain in your forearm
What Is Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow is the common name for medial epicondylitis. This condition causes pain on the inner part of the elbow and down into the forearm, where the wrist flexor muscles attach to the medial epicondyle. These muscles are involved in wrist flexion and gripping.
Golfer’s elbow isn’t exclusive to golfers. It can also affect people who use repetitive wrist or finger motions, such as throwing, climbing or manual handling.
Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms
- Pain or aching on the inside of the elbow
- Inner elbow area is tender to the touch
- Finding it hard to grip things
- Movement restriction at the elbow
- Finding it hard to do twisting movements, like turning a doorknob
Tennis Elbow vs Golfer's Elbow: The Key Differences
Location of Pain
- Tennis elbow affects the outer (lateral) elbow
- Golfer’s elbow affects the inner (medial) elbow
Affected Muscles
- Tennis elbow involves muscles that straighten and lift the wrist
- Golfer’s elbow involves muscles that bend the wrist and grip
Trigger Activities
- Tennis elbow pain can be caused by typing, gripping tools and lifting with the palm down
- Golfer’s elbow pain can be caused by swinging or carrying objects with the palm up
What Causes These Conditions
Repetitive Strain
Both types of elbow pain stem from microtrauma caused by repeated movements. Over time, this results in tendon irritation and breakdown. Studies confirm that tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow involve tendinosis, which is a degenerative process rather than classic inflammation.
Technique and Equipment
Poor posture, improper lifting techniques or unsuitable racquet and golf club grips can place excessive stress on the elbow tendons. Even poorly set-up workstations can strain the muscles and tendons of the forearm.
Muscle Weakness and Imbalance
If the muscles of the forearm, shoulder or upper back are underdeveloped or not functioning well together, the elbow may bear the brunt of the load. Over time, this imbalance can lead to irritation and pain.
Age and Activity Level
While anyone can develop these conditions, they are more common in people as they age who engage in physical work, sports or activities involving frequent gripping or twisting. Tennis elbow is most commonly reported in people aged 35–54 years old. That said, we’ve also seen younger clients present with symptoms due to gym routines or tablet and phone overuse.
How Are Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow Diagnosed?
A physiotherapist will assess your symptoms and ask about your usual activities. They may test your wrist and elbow movements to reproduce the pain and confirm whether it’s a case of lateral or medial epicondylitis.
In more persistent cases, imaging such as ultrasound or MRI may be used to rule out other injuries and evaluate the tendon structure. A full biomechanical assessment may also help identify contributing factors from your shoulder or neck.
How Do You Treat Tennis Elbow vs Golfer’s Elbow?
Phase 1: Settle the Irritation
- Modify movements to avoid aggravation
- Use ice to relieve pain for short periods
- Wear a strap or brace to reduce tension on the tendon
- Apply topical NSAIDs if advised by your medical professional
Phase 2: Regain Strength and Flexibility
Wrist Extensor Stretch (Tennis Elbow)
- Extend arm with palm down
- Use your other hand to gently pull the wrist downward
- Hold for 15–30 seconds
- Repeat 3 times per session, 2–3 times per day
Wrist Flexor Stretch (Golfer’s Elbow)
- Extend arm with palm up
- Gently pull the fingers back with your other hand
- Hold for 15–30 seconds
- Repeat 3 times per session, 2–3 times per day
Eccentric Wrist Loading (Both)
- Lower wrist slowly against light resistance (e.g., dumbbell)
- Assist return with other hand
- Repeat 2–3 sets of 10–15 reps, once per day
Grip Strengthening (Both)
- Squeeze a towel or therapy putty
- Hold for a few seconds, then release
- Repeat 2–3 sets of 10–15 reps daily if pain-free
Phase 3: Build Resilience
Once pain has settled, it’s important to rebuild strength in the wrist, elbow and shoulder. This helps restore tendon capacity and reduces the risk of symptoms returning. With the right guidance, you can gradually introduce resistance-based exercises like band rotations, loaded carries and bodyweight work, progressing as your tolerance improves.
Preventing Recurrence
- Increase training gradually
- Improve lifting or sports technique
- Build shoulder and scapular control
- Check workplace ergonomics
- Avoid repetitive gripping or wrist flexion without rest
When to Seek Help
If your pain doesn’t improve after a few weeks or gets worse, you must get a full assessment. Tendinosis can lead to chronic thickening, calcification or tears. Treating these issues early can help avoid long-term limitations or the need for invasive procedures.
At Body Advance, we look beyond the elbow to assess contributing movement patterns. Learn more about how we treat elbow pain.
Want to stay in the swing of things without elbow pain? Book a consultation with one of our sports injury specialists at Body Advance and start your recovery with expert support today.
FAQs | Your Tennis Elbow vs Golfer's Elbow Questions Answered
Can I have both tennis and golfer’s elbow at the same time?
Yes – while rare, it’s possible to experience both. Research shows dual-sided epicondylitis can occur in individuals exposed to high repetitive load or poor biomechanics. In this case, a personalised programme targeting both muscle groups is essential.
How long does recovery take?
Mild cases may resolve in around 6–8 weeks with guided rehab. Moderate or chronic tendinopathy can take around 3–6 months, depending on severity and compliance with treatment. Avoiding aggravation and progressing strength gradually are key.
Do I have to stop my usual activities?
Total rest is discouraged. Modified activity and gradual return are recommended. Your physio can advise you on how to adapt your routine to avoid tendon overload.
Which exercises help most?
Eccentric wrist extensor/flexor loading has strong evidence for tendon healing, especially when combined with progressive strengthening and functional movement retraining.
What if the pain is coming from somewhere else?
Cervical spine or shoulder stiffness may lead to compensatory elbow overload. A full-body assessment can help you identify other contributors and ensure treatment is not just symptom-focused.
What happens in a Body Advance session?
We assess your pain history, functional movement and daily demands. From there, we create a tailored plan with manual therapy, rehab and prevention strategies. Find out more here.
Is a brace helpful?
Counterforce straps can reduce strain during movement, especially in the early stages. Evidence supports short-term use, but long-term improvement requires a structured rehab plan.
Could poor posture be making it worse?
Yes. Slouching or rounded shoulders may lead to compensatory strain through the arm and wrist. Postural correction is often part of a successful treatment plan.
Can these conditions come back?
Without proper rehabilitation and load management, symptoms can return. Long-term prevention involves maintaining strength, improving ergonomics and recognising early warning signs.