Golf Back Pain Tips

Back To Golf

Trunk rotation - at least the lack of it - is the most common problem for golfers who are prone to back pain. The more skilled and flexible you are, the more you can rely on your hips and trunk to rotate when you swing.

This is the crux of the matter. A great golf shot requires hip and trunk rotation because that's what gives power to your shots. If you don't rotate well, your arms - and especially your back - will have to do a lot of extra work.

If you're a seasonal golfer it's normal to experience some aches and pains during the first few rounds of play. Here are some basic tips for the beginning of the season in particular... although you should keep them in mind whenever you play.

• Walk the course when possible; a golf bag which you can wear backpack style distributes the weight far better than one which you sling over your shoulder. (Bouncing around in a golf cart can make back pain a lot worse. Riding also allows your body to cool down and tighten up between holes.)
   

• Take extra time to stretch and warm up before you begin to play.
   

• Take practice swings throughout the round to keep your muscles warm and limber.
   

• Limit your time on the driving range - some of the most common injuries are caused by overuse of muscles.
   

• Talk to your golf pro. He/she can show you how to make some mechanical adjustments to your swing that will put less stress on your back.
   

• If your back hurts, take a few days off from the course . . . but try to maintain some level of physical activity. Check with your doctor, of course, but these days most health care professionals who deal with back pain do not recommend long term bedrest.
   

• Always bend your knees to tee your ball, replace divots, fix ball marks and lift a heavy golf bag because bending incorrectly dozens of times adds up.
   

• Strength, flexibility and endurance are the three most important things to keep in mind, especially if you are a chronic back pain sufferer.

If you suffer from back pain, a regular exercise program is a must. For more information as well as exercises designed specifically for golfers, visit www.backrelief.com.

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

Related Pages

Golf Swing Biomechanics - How to make a perfect golf swing every time - Improve your golf swing with these tips on using the proper grip and posture when addressing the ball.

Three Golf Swing Secrets - The three most important parts of the golf swing - Discover three secrets that will make you a better golfer - Flat left wrist, straight plane line, and lagging clubhead.

Perfect Posture - Understand how your posture affects your swing mechanics - Quick tips for improving your swing by improving your posture - Knees, back, and shoulders.

Perfect Posture Part 2 - The correct posture for holding a golf club - The quick posture setup to use during your round - How to adjust your posture for different clubs.

How To Fix Your Shank - Advice on how to correct your swing to avoid shanking the ball - What a shanked shot is and how to fix your shank - Easy practice method to keep your club vertical at impact.

How To Play A Water Hazard - The best way to play a water hazard is to ignore it - Trying to loft a ball over the water causes you to top the ball and hit it directly into the water.

Golfing Articles - Complete list of articles, tips, and swing advice.

Golf News

Travel Picks: Top 10 new golf courses in 2008 (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
The Castle Course at St. Andrews in Scotland was named as the top new golf course of 2008 by Travel + Leisure Golf magazine, which described it as one of the most ambitious designs that would keep golfers talking.

PGA Learning Center to host Play Golf America Day Dec. 3rd. (PGA)
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Some 70 PGA Professionals, including many of The PGA of America's premier golf instructors, will be among the featured instructors at Play Golf America Day, Dec. 3, at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla. There is no admission charge.