How to Prevent Back Pain After Golf

Golf can be played by 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds; that’s what makes the game of golf such a great pastime. Arnold Palmer was golfing right up until his death in September, and other pro players, like Jack Nicklaus, golfed professionally on their local golf courses well after retirement; and they played well! Unfortunately, the older you get, the more pain you may feel, and most complaints come from back pain after playing golf.   

The Source of Your Back Pain 

The back pain after golf that you are experiencing is a result of your swing. Lower back pain is the most common complaint, and as many as 23 percent of professional golfers complain of lower back pain after golf – you are not alone. 

For the most part, your lower back is not considered the cause of the issue, but the source of the pain. The rest of your body is putting too much pressure on your lower back, which is causing stress.   

How Is Your Swing Affecting Your Back?

If you experience back pain after golf, you are likely not maintaining the correct posture during your swing. Golf is exercise after all, and even though you are having fun, you are spending a full day exerting yourself.  

The average golfers are swinging over 100 times during a round on their local golf course. If you are swinging wrong every time, it is going to affect your back.  

How to Avoid Back Pain After Golf

The good news is that preventing back pain after golf will also improve your game dramatically. The issue is that you are bending and twisting your back too often when swinging. You can take lessons at your local golf course and have a pro correct you, or you can look at this great back guide from Golf Digest. The fact is, you need to straighten up your back through your swing.  

You should also consider warming up and stretching before you arrive at the local golf course. There is no reason to feel pain after a great round of golf.