FRIDAY, Nov. 5 (HealthDayNews) -- An improper golf grip may contribute to nerve damage in the hands, says a Mayo Clinic study.

It describes the case of a 62-year-old, right-handed, male amateur golfer with nerve damage -- ulnar neuropathy -- in his left hand. The nerve damage was caused by improper grip technique, the study authors concluded.

The golfer's grip applied pressure from the end of the club directly over an area called Guyon's canal in his left hand. Guyon's canal is a passageway where the ulnar nerve travels between the bones of the hand.

The golfer had suffered muscle weakness and loss of sensation in his left hand for two months. Muscle and nerve damage was confirmed using electrodiagnostic testing.

Even though he was advised to stop golfing for a period of observation, the golfer instead modified his golf grip and continued to play. After six weeks of playing with the modified grip, the golfer's hand improved and he eventually had a full recovery.

"This patient illustrates how golfers can injure themselves by using improper golf technique. Our informal survey of local golf professionals suggests lack of awareness of the potential for this type of injury," Mayo neurosurgeon Dr. K. Boylan said in a prepared statement.

Golfers can easily prevent this kind of hand injury by using a proper golf grip, Boylan said.

The study was presented at the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine annual meeting in Savannah, Ga.

More information

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers advice on how to prevent golf injuries.