Controlling Back Pain on the Golf Course

June 26, 2005--A common problem among both avid and occasional golfers is back pain.  The golf swing places a lot of strain on the torso and spine as your shoulders rotate back and forth through the ball.   A good amount of body turn is great for gaining extra yards of the tee, and for those long approach shots, but can really aggravate and cause back problems.  There is however steps you can take to eliminate the stress placed on your back during a round of golf as well as measures you can take at home to prepare your back for your next trip to the links.  Working-Well.com www.working-well.com is a website that provides back improving massage chairs that can help you in both your day to day routine as well and on those demanding par fives. 

As a veteran golfer myself I have been playing golf for over 40 years.  I can assure you that my back has had its fair share of ups and downs, but despite my set backs, I still manage to play golf a few times a week.  With the help of these simple golf tips, and daily use from one of the massage chairs offered at Working-Well.com www.working-well.com/massage-chair-catalog.html, I hope to see you out there on the links with me soon.                             

• The most helpful tip I can give you is to get out of those bumpy golf carts and start walking the course.  Rattling, vibrating and bouncing golf carts send shock waves straight into your spine.  Plus, each time you sit down your muscles cool off and tighten.  By walking, you stay loose and warm, which is not only the best way to help out your back, but the easiest way to hit the ball better.  I guarantee that if you walk your back will feel better and your scores will drop.  If you feel you have to ride, do your score a favor walk at least a part of each hole.
   
• Take it easy on the driving range.  Beating ball after ball, off mats in particular, wears out your back.  I can’t tell you how often I see guys my age hitting shot after shot with out ever standing fully upright.  When they finally do take a brake and stand up straight they immediately grab their lower backs and start rubbing.  Of course it’s stiff!  Instead practice like you play.  Line up each shot the way you do on the course, take your time, and let it rip.  Your back won’t get so sore, plus you will hit better shots.
   
• If your turn feels tight and your back swing feels restricted open your back foot outward an extra 5 degrees.  This will allow you to turn a little easier on you back swing and reduce back strain.  Be careful that you do not use this method to lengthen your swing.  Taking a longer back swing increases back strain and will throw your timing off.
   
• Take practice swings evenly throughout your round to keep you back loose and warm.
   
• Swing easy, hit far.  Hitting far is not about power turns and fast hands, its about timing.  Swinging slow and loose ensures that gravity will release your wrist cock at just the right time for more club head swing at impact.  Keep your grip loose, your swing easy, and remember that nobody hits 300 yard drives with their back swing.

Follow these easy tips on the golf course and not only will you keep your back pain at bay but you’ll lower your scores.  When you get home do some light stretches, and, if you have one, relax in a massage chair.  My Premier Health Products massage chair delivers an amazing deep tissue massage and has a heated back rest which does wonders for loosening my muscles.  The difference my massage chair has made on my back is unbelievable.  I used to wake up the day after golf with a really sore back and wonder how I was ever going to get loose again.  Then I would try to play another round of golf only to find that could not turn properly without risking a pulled muscle. 

Now that I have been using my massage chair, and have been focusing on how the way I play and practice affects my back, my back has improved.  40 years of golf has not been enough, I want 40 more. 

Tate Trakka
Amelia Island, Florida