Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer’s Elbow: What’s the Difference?

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow sound like opposites, but they’re close cousins — both are overuse injuries of the tendons that attach to the elbow. The main difference is where it hurts: tennis elbow is felt on the outer elbow, golfer’s elbow on the inner elbow. Here’s how to tell them apart and what helps each one.

The quick answer

If the pain and tenderness are on the outer (lateral) side of your elbow and flare when you lift, grip, or straighten your wrist, that points to tennis elbow. If they’re on the inner (medial) side and flare when you flex your wrist or grip, that points to golfer’s elbow. Both come from overloading the tendons where they anchor to the bone.

What each one is

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is irritation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow — the ones that straighten the wrist and fingers. Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is the same kind of problem on the inside of the elbow, in the tendons that flex the wrist. Despite the names, both are usually caused by everyday activities and work, not sports.

Side-by-side comparison

Tennis elbow	Golfer’s elbow
Pain on the outer elbow	Pain on the inner elbow
Worse when you straighten the wrist, lift, or grip	Worse when you flex the wrist or grip
Affects wrist-extending tendons	Affects wrist-flexing tendons
More common overall	Less common; may cause tingling into the fingers

How to tell which one you have

A simple test is where it’s tender. Press along the bony bump on the outer elbow — soreness there suggests tennis elbow. Tenderness over the bump on the inner elbow suggests golfer’s elbow. The movements that trigger the pain also differ: reaching, gripping, and lifting with the palm down tend to aggravate tennis elbow, while gripping and bending the wrist aggravate golfer’s elbow. If numbness or tingling runs into the fingers, tell your doctor, since a nerve can be involved.

What causes them?

Both are overuse injuries. Repeated gripping, lifting, twisting, and wrist motions — at work, in hobbies, or in sport — gradually overload the tendon where it attaches to the bone, causing tiny areas of irritation and breakdown. Age plays a role too, as tendons become less forgiving over time. A sudden increase in a repetitive activity is a common trigger.

How are tennis and golfer’s elbow treated?

The good news is that the treatment is similar for both, and most people improve without surgery.

Rest and activity changes

Easing off the aggravating motions, along with ice and an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, gives the tendon a chance to settle. Adjusting technique and equipment — grip size, load, form — helps prevent flare-ups.

Physical therapy and bracing

Targeted stretching and strengthening is the cornerstone of recovery. A counterforce brace or strap can take load off the tendon during activity.

Injections and procedures

For pain that lingers, an injection may be considered, and PRP therapy is an option in some cases. Surgery is uncommon and reserved for the small number of cases that don’t respond to months of conservative care. You can read more about the range of elbow pain conditions we treat, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ patient site, OrthoInfo, is a good general reference.

When should you see a doctor?

See a specialist if elbow pain lasts more than a few weeks, limits your grip or daily tasks, or comes with numbness or tingling in the hand. Early treatment is simpler and helps prevent a short-lived flare from becoming a stubborn, months-long problem.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?

Both are tendon overuse injuries at the elbow; the difference is location. Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer elbow and flares when you straighten or lift with the wrist, while golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inner elbow and flares when you flex the wrist or grip.

How do I know which one I have?

Notice where it’s tender and what triggers it. Soreness on the outer elbow that worsens with lifting and gripping points to tennis elbow; soreness on the inner elbow that worsens with wrist flexion points to golfer’s elbow. An exam can confirm it quickly.

Do you have to play tennis or golf to get them?

No. Despite the names, most cases come from everyday activities, work, and hobbies that involve repeated gripping, lifting, or wrist motion — not from the sports themselves.

How long do tennis and golfer’s elbow take to heal?

Many cases improve over several weeks to a few months with rest, activity changes, and physical therapy. Stubborn cases can take longer, which is why starting treatment early and sticking with the exercises matters.

What is the best treatment?

For both, the foundation is rest from the aggravating motion, ice, anti-inflammatory measures, and targeted physical therapy, often with a brace. Injections or, rarely, a procedure are options for cases that don’t settle with conservative care.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with a qualified clinician about your specific symptoms.