What the pros might not tell you
A lot of people are afraid to play golf. They think it’s bad for their backs. But you can play golf safely and without pain if you pay attention to your posture. This is the secret: If your posture is good, you’ll play better. Good posture improves your swing. Good posture in golf requires that you keep your spine straight . Don’t curve your body into a C–shape with your head hanging down.
Stretch for a Smooth, Strong Swing
Golf, like every athletic activity, requires flexibility, strength, endurance, and the ability to relax. Stretching helps you keep your posture correct and your swing strong. Stretch before you play and between holes. You need flexible strong hip muscles to turn your hips.
Stretch your hip flexors by slowing raising your foot toward your buttocks. Hold your toes and feel the stretch in the front of your thigh.
Pull in your abdominal muscles as you walk the course. You need strong trunk muscles to hold your spine stable.
Reach your hands around your shoulders and give yourself a hug. You need flexible and strong shoulder muscles to swing your upper arms.
For more stretches, see Fairbend DVDs.
What Causes Golf Injuries
For one thing, clubs. To avoid injury, treat your clubs like any heavy item: your printer, a big bag of garden mulch. Remember:
Keep heavy items close to your body.
Don’t lift and twist at the same time, look straight ahead, first lift your clubs, then turn.
Bend your knees to lift.
Golf Mania
Golf is good for you because it involves varied motions and walking. But sometimes, enthusiasm for the sport leads to injuries:
Play golf only when the temperature is above 50 degrees. In cold weather, your muscles don’t warm up and you’re more prone to injury.
At the practice range, vary your shots to avoid repetitive motion injuries. Don’t practice the same swing 100 times.
No matter how eager you are to play, stretch first. Don’t jump out of your car, sprint to the first tee, and swing. (Don’t “grip” the club and “rip” your muscle.)
