It is important to be aware of technique before going for a long period of playing golf to avoid injury and to protect your back. Learning the ways of how to prevent back injuries from golf can help in protecting the back from injuries according to this article. It is advisable to go through warm-ups before actually teeing off. A lot of homework relating to core strengthening exercises, endurance tests, confirming flexibility of muscles, strength, and proper posture are related to physical fitness. Try stretching exercises, drink as much water you can, wear a properly fitting pair of shoes, use a double-strapped golf bag, and ensure that the clubs are compatible for you.

PGA Golf professional Stuart Mason of Welwyn Garden City talks to acupuncturist Les Huyton from Well in Health Clinic in Hertfordshire on the importance of warming up before playing golf to reduce and prevent common golfing injuries.

How To Prevent Back Injuries From Golf

Preventing back injury or pain tops the list of concerns for many golfers

Summer is here and another long weekend is upon us. Many Canadians will be sunning themselves at the beach, some heading to the cottage, and others will be kicking back at home enjoying beers, barbecues and fireworks.

The Canada Day long weekend is highly anticipated for golfers, who head to the links in droves. But before getting to the teeing ground, golfers should be aware of the importance of improving their technique and form to avoid injury and protect their backs when swinging for that coveted hole in one.

 

Like any sport, golf requires warming up with a set of stretches.

 

Dr. Melanie Locke of the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) stresses that the key to avoiding back pain when golfing all comes down to physical fitness.

 

“Proper posture, strength, flexibility and endurance all play a part with effective warm-ups, stretching and core-strengthening work,” says Locke. “Cardiovascular fitness is important when golfing because to walk 18 holes, it’s about 7 kilometres plus the weight of the clubs — it requires endurance to prevent fatigue.”

 

Every year chiropractors across Canada treat countless golfers for injuries they sustain on the course, and low back pain is the most common injury incurred while playing golf, according to the CCA.

 

Other common injuries include shoulder and neck pain, muscle strain and tendonitis. Not only do these injuries hinder players from performing their best on the golf course, but it can also limit their mobility and quality of life.

 

Locke says some injuries can become chronic if not properly treated, so if a pain lasts more than two or three days it should be examined. She says most golf-related injuries can be prevented with proper warm-ups beforehand.

 

“Stretching is important to avoiding injuries because it increases flexibility and improves joint motion. It also helps relax muscles after a workout,” she says. “It is recommended to hold each stretch for 30 seconds, no bouncing, do both sides, and do not stretch to the point of pain; stretching should be comfortable.”

 

Remember to warm up and cool down. Drink lots of water to keep hydrated — being even a touch dehydrated can affect athletic performance. Wear the right shoes. All of our weight is carried on our feet, so a properly fitted shoe with good support can help prevent knee, hip and low back pain. Push, don’t carry, a golf bag.

 

“This helps to take a load off. People who pull their clubs or carry them with one bag strap can lead to muscle strain,” says Locke. “The spine is more balanced if we push clubs in front, or if we do carry clubs, wear a double-strapped golf bag to help keep the spine balanced and prevent muscle strain.”

 

Ensure clubs are the right height, made of appropriate material to arm strength, and that they have a comfortable grip. Having the wrong club that has not been customized to the proper height may lead to improper or suboptimal swinging technique, which could result in an injury.

 

Golfing is about having fun, and for some people it helps relieve stress. Don’t add to your body’s stress by improper warm up and technique — make sure you’re ready and in tip-top shape from head to toe.

 

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It is important to learn ways to keep fit during long sessions of playing golf so that this stress-relieving sport does not have a telling effect on the back leading to back pain. Educate yourself on how to prevent back injuries from golf through stretching exercises and keeping proper posture to keep that perfect swing.

Spine alignment and core stability improve the golf swing. These body balance tips will not only do that, but will rid you of back pain as well.

Cure golfers low back pain and improve hip position.  Achieving the correct golf posture at address is one of the simplest ways to insure minimal stress during your golf swing. By Mike Pedersen from PerformBetterGolf.com