Statistics indicate one out every two golfers will incur a lower back injury at some point during their playing careers. Research and statistics point to a number of reasons why the incidence of injury to the lower back is so extremely high in the sport of golf.

Some of the reasons behind this high rate of injury are related to the golf swing while others are rooted in physical dysfunctions. Prior to providing some strategies for the prevention of lower back injuries in the sport of golf, let us take a look at some of the reasons as to why this incidence of lower back injuries is so high.

As stated previously injuries in the sport of golf can be a result of a number of differing variables associated with both the biomechanics of the golf swing as well as physical dysfunctions. Taking a moment to look at research on the mechanics golf swing provides insight onto the amount of stress placed upon the lower back region. According to the American Sports Medicine Institute the pelvis rotates approximately 40-50 degrees and upper torso rotation is 90-95 degrees during the backswing. These degrees of rotation create what we commonly refer to as the “X” factor in the golf swing. This axial rotation of the pelvis and upper torso loads the musculature of the core and requires mobility within the lumbo/pelvic/hip complex and thoracic spine. If physical limitations exist within either of these body segments due to limitations in mobility or segmental stability, greater amounts of stress will be placed upon these structures in an attempt to create these axial rotations of the spine.

Secondly, research on the downswing indicates angular velocities of approximately 400 – 500 degrees per second for the pelvis and 1,100 – 1,200 degrees per second for the upper torso are achieved (Barrentine, Fleisig; Kinematics of the Golf Swing, American Sports Medicine Inst. Birmingham, AL). At the impact position the pelvis is rotated open to the target 40-50 degrees and the upper torso is rotated approximately 20-25 degrees. The angular velocities generated in the downswing, axial rotation of the spine, and lateral bending place a significant load on the lumbar spine and pelvis.

The amount of stress increases on these segments of the body if inefficiencies exist in the biomechanics of the swing. This point is supported by research from Hosea indicating amateur golfers had approximately 80 percent greater shear and lateral bending loads than a professional player during the golf swing. Hosea hypothesized this differentiation was due to greater efficiencies in the execution of the golf swing by the professional golfer.

Finally, additional research from Hosea on the forces and torques encountered in the lower spine during the golf swing found compressive forces equivalent to eight times a golfer’s body weight every swing. These same studies indicated the professional golfer demonstrated reproducible muscular firing patterns, while amateur golfers produced more sporadic, inconsistent firing patterns. This information points to high levels of stress placed upon the kinetic chain (i.e. body) during the golf swing each and every swing regardless of the golfer’s level of proficiency. In addition this research again points to greater efficiencies in the execution of the golf swing by the professional player, thus lowering the stresses placed upon the body during execution of the golf swing.

We can see from the information above how the golf swing regardless of efficiency levels places large amounts of stress upon the body. Secondly, a biomechanically efficient swing diminishes the amount of stress placed upon the body, and finally physical dysfunctions in terms of limitations in mobility or segmental stability will reduce a golfer’s ability to execute an efficient swing resulting in higher levels of stress upon the body every swing.

Once an understanding of how and why the lower back is commonly injured in the sport of golf, we can proceed to taking steps to lessen the potential of injury to the lower back. It is obvious from the research presented above the biomechanics of the golf swing place large amounts of stress upon the lumbar region (i.e. lower back) during the execution of every swing.

The data above also indicates the greater levels of proficiency a golfer has in the execution of the swing, the lower the levels of stress placed upon the lower back. That being said, one step the golfer should take to lessen the potential for injury is to become more proficient in the mechanics of the golf swing. This is achieved via sound instruction and continual practice.

The second step and potentially the more important step to the prevention of injury and development of sound swing mechanics is the correction of physical dysfunctions. As stated above, the stressors placed upon the body during execution of the golf swing are high. These stresses are increased if the body is limited in terms of joint mobility, muscular flexibility, or segmental stability.

If the body is limited in the execution of the golf swing due to physical limitations a number of situations arise. Number one the opportunity to execute a proficient golf swing is diminished, secondly higher levels of stress are placed upon the body every swing, and finally the potential for injury increases substantially.

In order to correct physical dysfunctions impeding the golf swing and limit the potential for injury, the first step is to determine what joints require mobility, which muscles must be flexible, and what areas of the body need to be strong in order to execute a proficient golf swing. To answer these questions we can refer to the Mobility/Stability Pattern of Human Movement.

This principle states in order to create efficient movement or athletic actions, the body must operate in an alternating pattern of mobile joints and stable body segments. If this pattern of mobile joints and stable body segments is altered, dysfunction in movement patterns or athletic actions will occur. Relative to the golf swing this principle indicates the ability to execute each phase of the golf swing, generate speed, transfer this speed to the golf club, and initiate the downswing with the lower body will be impeded if dysfunction exists within the mobility/stability pattern of human movement.

A joint-by-joint review of the mobility/stability pattern of human movement indicates the following: Ankle -- mobile, knee -- stable, hip -- mobile, sacral/lumbar/pelvic complex -- stable, thoracic spine -- mobile, scapular/thoracic spine -- stable, gleno-humeral joint -- mobile, elbow -- stable, wrist -- mobile as it pertains to efficient human movement and the golf swing.

Relative to physical dysfunctions impeding the golf swing and resulting in lower back injuries, the mobility/stability pattern of human movement indicates both the hips and thoracic spine must be mobile. If either of these joints were immobile, the tendency will be for the body to recruit the lumbar spine in an attempt to create axial rotation for the golf swing, thus leading to the potential for lower back injuries.

Knowing this information, one step the golfer can take to correct physical dysfunctions of the hips is to develop the required levels of mobility within this joint needed in the execution of a proficient golf swing. This step in conjunction with additional mobility and stability exercises can assist in the prevention of injuries associated with the sport of golf.