Question:
You’re absolutely right. I usually hit the treadmill for about 10 fast miles a week, but lately I have neglected it (to play golf!). I think there’s a pretty good corralation there, as my back problems disappear when I am faithfull to the treadmill. -Greg – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So I’m supposed to tee of at 5 this afternoon, but hate the thought of it. What are the chances that I can turn it back around and play my normal game on grass (I was hitting onmats at the range)? Fitness is a part of golf too, you know. When was the last time you went into the gym? You should be doing situps and also stretches for your lower back. For example, lay on your back, grab your knees and pull them tight toward your chest.
Response:
Just to "share: Order of my priorities when I experience back pain/spasms/etc: 1 – back 2 – golf My suggestions for any golfer experiencing back: (in order of importance): 1 – see a doctor and find out what the problem is — and — try and determine if I am creating a worse one. 2 – golf JB – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know, it’s a stupid question, but I can’t believe I screwed up my swing so badly by unconsiously compensating for a tight lower back. Yesterday, I went to my local club (Hyannis CC on Cape Cod…no I’m not a member) to hit some balls at lunch. There were a bunch of 12-17 year olds there practicing for an afternoon JRPGA tourney. It was tough joining them, knowing that most of them could blow me away (I’m 37). Anyways, I got two buckets, and was really hitting the first bucket GREAT. All clubs were hitting better than normal for me. Then, right when I start the second bucket, I get that tightening twinge in my lower back. I try to stretch out a little, but I TOTALLY lost my swing. DAMN IT!!!! I finished the second bucket, but was pushing everything and coming over the top. I rested it last night, stretched this AM, took some Aleve and went back today. The back is still a little tight but I have the exact same problems. Talked to the club pro, who said to make sure to get around. I managed a few good shots, but overall my shots look like it’s the first time I’ve been out this year. So I’m supposed to tee of at 5 this afternoon, but hate the thought of it. What are the chances that I can turn it back around and play my normal game on grass (I was hitting onmats at the range)? BTW, I know that most of you could care less, but I had to vent a bit. DAMN IT!!! -Greg
Response:
That’s why I decided not to play yesterday. Especially since I am leaving for a camping trip with my family tomorrow morning, and will be sleeping on a crappy air mattress for 4 nights! It may be weeks before I get on the course again!! -Greg says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Just to "share: Order of my priorities when I experience back pain/spasms/etc: 1 – back 2 – golf My suggestions for any golfer experiencing back: (in order of importance): 1 – see a doctor and find out what the problem is — and — try and determine if I am creating a worse one. 2 – golf JB I know, it’s a stupid question, but I can’t believe I screwed up my swing so badly by unconsiously compensating for a tight lower back. Yesterday, I went to my local club (Hyannis CC on Cape Cod…no I’m not a member) to hit some balls at lunch. There were a bunch of 12-17 year olds there practicing for an afternoon JRPGA tourney. It was tough joining them, knowing that most of them could blow me away (I’m 37). Anyways, I got two buckets, and was really hitting the first bucket GREAT. All clubs were hitting better than normal for me. Then, right when I start the second bucket, I get that tightening twinge in my lower back. I try to stretch out a little, but I TOTALLY lost my swing. DAMN IT!!!! I finished the second bucket, but was pushing everything and coming over the top. I rested it last night, stretched this AM, took some Aleve and went back today. The back is still a little tight but I have the exact same problems. Talked to the club pro, who said to make sure to get around. I managed a few good shots, but overall my shots look like it’s the first time I’ve been out this year. So I’m supposed to tee of at 5 this afternoon, but hate the thought of it. What are the chances that I can turn it back around and play my normal game on grass (I was hitting onmats at the range)? BTW, I know that most of you could care less, but I had to vent a bit. DAMN IT!!! -Greg
Response:
So I’m supposed to tee of at 5 this afternoon, but hate the thought of it. What are the chances that I can turn it back around and play my normal game on grass (I was hitting onmats at the range)?
Fitness is a part of golf too, you know. When was the last time you went into the gym? You should be doing situps and also stretches for your lower back. For example, lay on your back, grab your knees and pull them tight toward your chest.
Response:
Greg… You need to know if the pain is a muscle problem or a spinal disc problem. The latter needs to be treated very carefully, or it will only get worse. If it is a muscle problem, I have found I can play right through the pain, knowing I am not doing any damage. I take aspirin before and after playing to help prevent and/or reduce inflammation. For a muscle problem, the only way to beat it is to get into a stretching routine and work those muscles into submission. I find, it’s leaning over to tee up a ball or get a ball out of the hole, that causes an episode to occur. When I wasn’t sure what was causing the pain, I was afraid to do more damage and my swing went into the cropper as well. But when I learned it was only a muscle pull, I was able to work through the pain. I had a recent occurrence about 6 weeks ago. I think I played with some pain for about 3 weeks and it slowly went away, and I feel stronger for not having babied the problem. Hope you feel better! cheers RJ … – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know, it’s a stupid question, but I can’t believe I screwed up my swing so badly by unconsiously compensating for a tight lower back. Yesterday, I went to my local club (Hyannis CC on Cape Cod…no I’m not a member) to hit some balls at lunch. There were a bunch of 12-17 year olds there practicing for an afternoon JRPGA tourney. It was tough joining them, knowing that most of them could blow me away (I’m 37). Anyways, I got two buckets, and was really hitting the first bucket GREAT. All clubs were hitting better than normal for me. Then, right when I start the second bucket, I get that tightening twinge in my lower back. I try to stretch out a little, but I TOTALLY lost my swing. DAMN IT!!!! I finished the second bucket, but was pushing everything and coming over the top. I rested it last night, stretched this AM, took some Aleve and went back today. The back is still a little tight but I have the exact same problems. Talked to the club pro, who said to make sure to get around. I managed a few good shots, but overall my shots look like it’s the first time I’ve been out this year. So I’m supposed to tee of at 5 this afternoon, but hate the thought of it. What are the chances that I can turn it back around and play my normal game on grass (I was hitting onmats at the range)? BTW, I know that most of you could care less, but I had to vent a bit. DAMN IT!!! -Greg
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I know, it’s a stupid question, but I can’t believe I screwed up my swing so badly by unconsiously compensating for a tight lower back. Yesterday, I went to my local club (Hyannis CC on Cape Cod…no I’m not a member) to hit some balls at lunch. There were a bunch of 12-17 year olds there practicing for an afternoon JRPGA tourney. It was tough joining them, knowing that most of them could blow me away (I’m 37). Anyways, I got two buckets, and was really hitting the first bucket GREAT. All clubs were hitting better than normal for me. Then, right when I start the second bucket, I get that tightening twinge in my lower back. I try to stretch out a little, but I TOTALLY lost my swing. DAMN IT!!!! I finished the second bucket, but was pushing everything and coming over the top. I rested it last night, stretched this AM, took some Aleve and went back today. The back is still a little tight but I have the exact same problems. Talked to the club pro, who said to make sure to get around. I managed a few good shots, but overall my shots look like it’s the first time I’ve been out this year. So I’m supposed to tee of at 5 this afternoon, but hate the thought of it. What are the chances that I can turn it back around and play my normal game on grass (I was hitting onmats at the range)?
I have an extrememly bad back. My T11 and T12 are ‘crunched’ in opposite directions, and it causes my back to spasm. I even have to take valium for it. Anyway, when the valium isn’t working or the beer 8]. I think nice and easy 3/4 swings, and it seems that I’m able to get through the ball. I just take an extra club, and choke down about a 1/4 of an inch to compensate distance. YMMV BTW, I know that most of you could care less, but I had to vent a bit. DAMN IT!!! -Greg
Thanks, Tony Harmon T o n y (dot) H a r m o n (at) b n s f (dot) c o m "A golfer with great dreams, can accomplish great things." — Bob Rotella "A day without hitting golf balls, is a day longer to getting better" — Ben Hogan "The average golfer’s problem is not so much a lack of ability as it is a lack of knowing what he should do." — Ben Hogan
Response:
I know, it’s a stupid question, but I can’t believe I screwed up my swing so badly by unconsiously compensating for a tight lower back. Yesterday, I went to my local club (Hyannis CC on Cape Cod…no I’m not a member) to hit some balls at lunch. There were a bunch of 12-17 year olds there practicing for an afternoon JRPGA tourney. It was tough joining them, knowing that most of them could blow me away (I’m 37). Anyways, I got two buckets, and was really hitting the first bucket GREAT. All clubs were hitting better than normal for me. Then, right when I start the second bucket, I get that tightening twinge in my lower back. I try to stretch out a little, but I TOTALLY lost my swing. DAMN IT!!!! I finished the second bucket, but was pushing everything and coming over the top. I rested it last night, stretched this AM, took some Aleve and went back today. The back is still a little tight but I have the exact same problems. Talked to the club pro, who said to make sure to get around. I managed a few good shots, but overall my shots look like it’s the first time I’ve been out this year. So I’m supposed to tee of at 5 this afternoon, but hate the thought of it. What are the chances that I can turn it back around and play my normal game on grass (I was hitting onmats at the range)? BTW, I know that most of you could care less, but I had to vent a bit. DAMN IT!!! -Greg