Watch: Lower Back Pain in Golf and How to Address It

Good stuff Rick. i spend thirty minutes every day doing exercises for my lower back and PT once a week. As we golfers get older, this is something we have do deal with. I have scoliosis and surgery is not something that can be done to relieve my pain. Pain management and exercise are my only salvation. Every so often I go the epidural route and it provides some long term relief. The TPI program has helped as I started it in late fall and it did provide some relief thru a strong core development. At this point balance is the key area they are working on with me. I feel like a fish out of water.

Thanks for posting this, Rick. We older fellows should do more of this type of work between rounds, for sure.

At the end of last year and over the winter on simulators, my game had gotten into a really bad spot. Driver was barely 160 yards, down from roughly 200. Coincidentally at the time of New Year’s resolutions I found a 12 week online TPI program to access. Utilizing many of the exercises posted by the Lance Performance Group while following a structured program and diligently working out essentially daily, I restored the yardage lost last year. As can be attested by the group in front of ours on 18 at The Dale. With the rain picking up and they were 220 yards ahead, I hit into them. Not proud of that, but otherwise excited. I have other issues with my game, but not having the length to hit a green in regulation from the forward tees won’t be one of them.

Especially us older guys, use it or lose it really applies to strength, flexibility, and balance. That Titleist is alone that offers something other than equipment for the total player speaks a lot to my loyalty.

Just a reminder for those who have lower back pain, it may not be muscular. After the TTI Pinehurst a few years ago I had lower back pain, especially the right side. Thought it was from 5 days straight of golf. I went to the doctor anyway and after tests, turned out to be kidney cancer. Right kidney removed and all good now. Point being, don't live with pain without getting professional help. Waiting too long could be a matter of life or death.

I started playing golf when I turned 49 and shortly after, I ruptured L5/S1. After lots of PT and Motrin I was able to play, but used to experience soreness after the round. Now, 20 years later, I rarely use medicine and I’m generally pain free after the round. I mostly walk when I play.
But I stretch out my hips and hamstrings pretty often and recently started balance drills similar to the ones Rick suggested. It really helps.

I do stretching every day, and before/after when I play. I also work the thoracic very hard, helps a guy pushing 60 to swing back past 90 pretty easy, at least for me it does.

I had to start specific exercises to help counter my golfers elbow I’ve developed.

This is a great video! I tend to experience the lower back pain during practice sessions. I try to practice 3 to 4 days a week and I hit a lot of balls. This is when I start to feel my lower back starting to ache. I definitely will start implementing these exercises to maintain a healthy back. Thanks for this great video!