Eleven randomised clinical trials and 504 participants: those are the numbers behind a 2017 review of massage after intense exertion, with clearer results at 48 and 72 hours. The limits of the studies, however, are stated by the authors themselves, and they apply to golfers too.
Massage is the treatment most readily associated with recovery after exertion. Scientific research has studied its effects after intense exertion in general, rather than in golf specifically. And several golf hotels offer massages designed for people who do physical activity. For persistent pain or particular conditions, however, you need a professional.
What the research says
A systematic review with meta-analysis published in 2017 in Frontiers in Physiology pooled 11 randomised studies (504 participants) on massage after strenuous exertion. The authors conclude that massage relieves delayed-onset muscle soreness, the muscle pain that appears in the days after exertion, with a more marked effect at 48 and 72 hours than at 24 hours.
The limits, stated by the authors themselves, are three:
- Quality of the individual studies: none of the papers described allocation concealment, and only two of the eleven had blinded assessors.
- Heterogeneity: the results on pain vary widely from one study to another.
- Small samples: the authors write that larger studies are needed.
What is more, those studies concern intense exertion in general and not golf: the results do not necessarily hold for a round of 18 holes. In short, a massage after exertion shows, in the literature, an indication of an effect on muscle pain, with evidence of limited quality.
Sports massage in golf hotels: where to book one
These are wellness services, not therapies.
- 50-minute sports massage. At Hohenwart, in Scena above Merano, the Golf & Wellness package (19 September to 8 November 2026) includes a 50-minute sports massage and the Golfcard, with a 20% discount on South Tyrol green fees. The hotel is a founding member of Golf Club Lana.
- A programme for before and after activity. At Villa e Palazzo Aminta, in Stresa, the Grotta Camelia spa offers four programmes; Wood Aromas is designed, according to the hotel, for before and after physical activity. Access depends on the rate, and outside guests can also buy day packages.
- The Diabasi method. At the Grand Hotel Rimini, the massages at the Dolce Vita Spa follow the Diabasi method and should be booked 24 hours in advance. The hotel offers a golf package with two green fees at the Rimini Verucchio Golf Club.
- Swing & SPA. The Golf Inclusive package at Terme di Saturnia, with a minimum of two nights, includes a discount on treatments from the Swing&SPA programme; the course is inside the resort.
- Personalised programmes. The Hotel Hermitage, on Elba, combines massages, wet circuits and a light menu in its wellness centre, with programmes that also include golf, tennis or swimming.
How to book a massage during a golf holiday
- Book it on arrival. Treatment rooms are few and many hotels ask for advance notice (24 hours in Rimini, for example).
- Schedule it on a day without golf, or after the round if the spa's hours allow; for pain that appears after a day or two, the review reports a more marked effect at 48 to 72 hours.
- Tell the therapist that you play golf and which areas are sore.
- In case of injury, a medical check-up comes first, not a massage.
- Do not expect a cure: the studies describe an effect on muscle pain, not injury prevention.
Frequently asked questions
Is massage after golf worth it?+
A 2017 review of 11 randomised studies reports an effect on muscle pain after intense exertion, more marked at 48 to 72 hours; the authors point out, however, limits in quality and small samples, and the studies do not concern golf.
Is there a massage specifically for golfers?+
Rather than a protocol dedicated to golf, some hotels offer sports massages (Hohenwart, 50 minutes, in the 2026 Golf & Wellness package) or programmes for before and after activity (Aminta, Wood Aromas).
When is it best to have one, before or after the round?+
The 2017 review concerns massage after exertion. For a treatment before the round, it is best to ask the therapist.
How long does a sports massage last?+
At Hohenwart, in the 2026 package, 50 minutes; at the other hotels it depends on the treatment chosen.
Does massage prevent injuries?+
The 2017 review talks about muscle pain, not prevention. For injuries, golf research mainly cites warming up before the round.
Can I book a massage if I am not staying at the hotel?+
It depends on the property: Villa e Palazzo Aminta, for example, sells day packages to outside guests as well.
