Golf, Pollen, and Performance: Managing Spring Allergies in Active Patients

With 29 million golfers in the U.S. and an estimated 7.25 million affected by spring allergies, seasonal respiratory symptoms can meaningfully affect performance and daily function. This episode explores how tree and grass pollen exposure, overlapping sensitizations, and indoor allergens can combine to drive rhinitis, fatigue, sleep disruption, and reduced daytime performance. We discuss regional pollen patterns, why pine pollen is often less clinically important than oak and juniper, how to avoid assuming a single trigger is the cause, and how localized respiratory allergen profiles with specific IgE testing can help clarify sensitization. Practical counseling includes using specific IgE results to help inform exposure reduction and environmental control to help improve symptom control and guide management.

References and resources:
https://www.thermofisher.com/phadia/us/en/resources/immunocast/masters-golf-respiratory-allergies-pollen-management.html