Golf is one of the most favourite past times for people around the world. Every spring, there’s a whole bunch of golfers quite eager to live out the fantasy to play like their role models- Tiger Woods or Jordan Sapieth.
However, most people aren’t aware that the sport may lead to some severe injuries. In this article, we try to answer the question should I play golf with lower back pain?
What Causes Back Pain While Golfing?
Back pain is one of the leading reasons people miss their daily works or visit a doctor. Lower, middle, and upper back pains are considered to be common symptoms among golfing injuries. Most golf injuries occur because of muscle strains, spine injuries, and dislocation of the disks in extreme cases.
Why Do I Have Lower Back Pain After Playing Golf?
If you’re experiencing lower back pain after a few rounds of swinging, there might be some contributors leading to your injuries. Let’s talk about some of the leading reasons.
You forgot to get warmed up:
If you’ve spent a long winter while relaxing on your comfy couch, your body might need some time getting used to the golfing mechanics. Like all other sports, warming up and stretching your body before a round of golf is a critical job that many forget.
You’re swinging harder than it needs to:
The most important aspect of golf is often the leading reason for your injuries – the swing. The repetitive motion and asymmetric nature of a golf swing might add stress to your lower back. ‘Over-swinging’ is a term related to the awkward distribution of body weight while taking a swing. Failure to have a natural, smooth body motion when taking a swing might lead to a twisted spine and increased strain on your back muscles.
You have a poor posture:
Rounding your back while swinging, bending to the sides awkwardly & putting too much strain on your spine these all contributes to poor posture. It can cause your muscle to lose its integrity, while over-activation and tightness can lead to muscle injuries.
How Does Golf Cause Back Pain?
There are a few significant challenges while playing golf. If not taken care of, they can contribute to your back pain and muscle stress.
- Repetitive motions
- Awkward swinging
- Constantly carrying your golf bag
- Poor posture
- Erratic ball placement
- Overexertion of the back
- Overuse and lack of control
Should I Play Golf With Lower Back Pain?– Tips to Avoid Golf Back Pain
Like so many other health conditions, a little effort can take you a long way. There are a few key factors that you need to look around to protect your precious self from back pains.
Warming up: By spending a few minutes stretching and warming up correctly, you’re decreasing your possibilities of injury risks as well as joint stiffness. The emphasis should be given to stretching the shoulder, torso, hip regions, and hamstring muscles.
Practicing and improving your swing mechanics: It would be best to focus more on a smooth, rhythmic swing instead of a stiff and disjointed swing. With a proper swing, the shoulder, pelvis, and chest segment should rotate to your swing load. Good balancing is achieved by bending the knee, straightening up the spine, and keeping the feet apart.
Staying active between golf sessions:
Keeping active and participating in other physical activities will likely reduce the risk of injuries. Don’t forget to make time for different workouts like running, swimming, walking, and playing other sports.
Carry your golf bag safely:
If you’re constantly bending over to pick up your golf bag, you’re stressing your back and putting extra pressure on your body. An integrated golf bag stand that opens on the ground can eliminate the need for constant bend over.
You don’t need to play like a pro:
If you’re relatively new to golf and just starting, don’t put extra pressure on yourself. Assess your capability and comfort while playing. Slowly but surely, you’ll build up your golf muscles.
Contact your physician:
As with most other health conditions, early treatment can help you alleviate your pain faster and stops you from getting into any serious risks. Contact your physician immediately if you’re experiencing any uneasiness or pain in your back.
What to Do While Golfing:
- Always warm-up and stretch your muscles.
- Practice your swings.
- Carry an integrated golf bag.
- Get an expert opinion about your game.
- Be relaxed while playing; take it easy- you’re here for fun.
What not to Do While Golfing:
- Don’t try to hit the ball as hard as possible.
- Don’t overawing.
- Don’t rotate your pelvis while swinging.
- Don’t put extra pressure on yourself if you’re relatively new to golf.
- Don’t forget to rest if you’re feeling tired.
- Don’t hesitate to see a doctor.
Bottom Line
So, that being said, the answer to – Should I play golf with lower back pain must be quite self-explanatory. The trick is to take care of yourself so that you don’t have the injury in the first place. And even if you do, rest and consult a doctor till you’re all better again. Happy golfing!
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