Back Injuries

Hi Everyone,
I am a new member looking for some good advice.

I have been playing golf for about 3 years, and have had a tough time remaining consistant during the game. Sometimes I play pretty good, but most of the time I don't. I can tell that my lower back is weak and I lose my spine angle, causing me to compensate with my right arm. I think that it might be due to a motorcycle accident I had over 20 years ago. I had 3 fractured vertebrae.

I have been trying to strengthen my lower back muscles, but most of the time it makes my back more sore.

Does anyone have any good advice for me.

Thanks
Bruce

Hi Bruce,

I also have a weak lower back, however I have found Golf very good for me. Since I took up Golf I feel it has built elasticity in my back and strengthened my back muscles.

My advice would be to have a look at your swing preferably with a pro and a video, there are a few swing faults that put strain on the lower back, the main being purley tention, griping to tight and trying to smash the ball.

Remember a golf ball weighs about as much a sparrow, I see loads of golfers at the range, using brawn instead of timing. I maybe completely wrong in your case but it's a good place to start.

Hope this helps


Ian.

__________________
Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

Thanks Ian,

Your advice sounds reasonable, though I had a golf instructor tell me once that when I do my backswing, my back twists out of shape while I torque. After that, I made an extra effort to keep my back straight during the entire swing, with good success, but I seem to have the same problem again.

When I start my backswing, should I concentrate on turning my shoulders, or should I concentrate on turning with my abdomen.

Would you recomend any excercises.

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

Turning the stomach in the back swing could be leading to your back problem.

In the golf swing you turn the shoulders to start the backswing and keep the hips as still as possible, just try to do a backswing without moving the hips at all you will see this is impossible, they will move about 45 degrees.

Start the swing with the shoulders and keep the hips still until you feel tention in the mid-section, this is know as torque, the power in the swing, once you feel this torque then release back through and hit the ball.....................you should find a much more solid swing and impact.

Hopefully with less back pain.


Regards

Ian

__________________
Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

Hi Bruce,

I can empathise with you. I have a degenerative disc in my lower back. The surgeon stressed the best thing for my back is to remain fit and keep the weight off. I'm into my fitness and workout fairly solidly.

Bruce, for me a work out before golf does my game wonders. I am loose and don't experience much pain around the course. I find this routine better than stretching prior to the game.

Give it a try - it won't hurt. If it works fantastic.

Thanks VP,

My weak back has caused me to fall into some bad habits, and maybe making my back even weaker. Thanks for the tip about working-out. Are you talking about going for a run, or using the eliptical glider? Because, when I work-out, I usually work out with heavy weights, and usually I can barely lift my arms when I am done.

I have been doing daily back exercises, and I have already found that I am more consistant on the course. But I am always looking for something that will give me an extra edge.

Bruce

Bruce,

My program changes every 6 - 8 weeks. My last two programs have been commando - super sets. So I too have been lifting heavy weights - muscles scream (no pain no gain).

I don't do any cardio before a round of golf. I just do the weight component but this gets the blood flowing. I don't warm down afterwards. I shower and then drive to the course. I live in a rural area and it only takes me about 5 minutes to get to golf from the gym.

I don't know how fit you are - all I can say is that I don't experience any problems with fatigue at golf and I have more mobility especially when following through.

P.S Before I hit my next tee shot I rotate/turn my upper body twice to my right (I'm a r/h). This was suggested to me by the lady who fixes my back (bowen therapy).

Cheers

Nicole