saving strokes and strains:
preventing early-season golf injuries

Like a Fourth of July Rocket

In many parts of the country, the golf season is fast approaching. As many of us anxiously anticipate our first tee shot, it’s crucial that our bodies are prepared to handle the physical toll that accompanies the beginning of another challenging golf season.  Often, an enthusiastic start can lead to season-compromising injuries.

Even so, proper conditioning commonly takes a back seat to improving technique or upgrading equipment during the off-season. To reach your full potential, and extend the season if you so choose, requires awareness of the dynamic, even stressful, physical nature of the golf swing. For many with hectic schedules or an aversion to formal exercise programs, the dramatic shift from car seat to tee box can instantly create problems.

Up Front About Back Problems

One of the most common physical ailments plaguing golfers of all ages and ability levels is lower-back pain. The causes of lower-back pain for players and non-players are numerous and well documented. For avid golfers, one of the most common causes of lower-back pain is poor posture, misalignment that turns into major swing faults.  Relief for the back — and the swing — comes from improving the biomechanics of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip.

In addition, off-season inactivity can lead to decreased flexibility, an essential for a smooth, repeatable swing. For example, strained or pulled hamstrings are muscle-related trauma caused by non-use. A simple program of stretching and strengthening can reduce the chances of early-season injury, as well as keep problems from becoming chronic.

Resources to the Rescue

Although major injuries require the advice and expertise of medical experts, GolfTEC has the ability to help you avoid and return from many of the less-serious injuries that hamper your golf game. GolfTEC Improvement Centers now offer golf fitness evaluations based on the Titleist Performance Institute’s research and industry-leading database.

During a TPI Fitness Evaluation, a Certified Personal Coach will assess your goals, measure your golf fitness and flexibility, and provide a customized 18-session workout schedule. In most cases, little equipment is needed for this proven, in-home process designed for injury prevention — and golf enjoyment. Learn more, including availability and pricing, by calling the nearest GolfTEC Improvement Center.

While golf-specific conditioning will likely add yards and cut strokes, the first goal is to stay healthy long enough to truly reach your playing potential in 2009.