5 Tips for Golfers to Avoid Back Pain
How can us golfers avoid back pain?
Back pain is a common problem for golfers. The repetitive motions of the swing and the cart ride can cause injury and inflammation to your back, so it's important to know how to avoid these issues. Here are some tips on how to avoid back pain while playing golf:
Fix your posture
If you are standing, it means that your body should be aligned in a straight line from your feet to the top of your head. Your hips should be even with each other and your shoulders should be relaxed. If you are sitting, you should have a similar posture with a straight back and both feet on the floor. It's essential to not only fix your posture while playing golf but throughout the day as well.
Stretch before you play
You can also stretch before playing, but it's best to do so after warming up with a few easy shots. This will help keep your muscles loose and prevent injury.
Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds and don't bounce while stretching. This will allow the muscle to relax fully and improve flexibility more effectively than if you were to quickly move through the stretch.
Exercises for your core muscles
Core exercises are a must for golfers. These include planks, crunches and other similar exercises that strengthen the muscles in your abdomen which support your spine during golfing activities. They should be done at least twice per week with 10 reps each time (try doing sets of 10 reps every other day).
stretching your back is also essential, neck and shoulders will improve your overall flexibility and help keep the muscles in good shape. Simple stretches such as holding each stretch for 20 seconds are enough to do the trick, but you can lengthen them if needed.
Use proper form when practising and playing
Proper form is the most important factor to consider when trying to avoid back pain. The following tips will help you practice and play in a way that doesn't hurt your back:
- Use a golf club with a flexible shaft, which will reduce the stress on your joints and ligaments.
- Keep your head down and back straight while swinging the club. Don't bend over too far or lean backwards during any part of the swing.
- Don't swing the club too hard or fast; try keeping it at about shoulder height when it meets with the ball, then release smoothly as you bring it back down again. Also, make sure that you're keeping your wrists straight during each stroke so as not to put undue strain on them either.
Stay hydrated, even if it means skipping a hole
Even if you're not thirsty, make it a point to drink water before and during your round. Your body will thank you later.
In addition to staying hydrated, golfers should also avoid drinking alcohol before or during their round of golf for the same reason: dehydration. Alcohol can cause you to lose more water than normal through urination and perspiration; plus, too much alcohol can lead to dehydration in its own right because of how much fluid is lost from vomiting or diarrhoea.
In the end...
The idea of golf is to have fun, and it is not necessarily a competitive sport. However, if you are going to play this game on a regular basis then it is important that you take care of your body so that injuries do not keep you off the course for a long time.
