[Villages PL]

There was some talk about Tiger Woods having a back problem and I heard a doctor talking about it on the news. He said it's not that uncommon for golfers to injure their back because the golf swing is not natural. I think he means it twists the back in ways that are unnatural. Throughout most of history, man did not swing a golf club, so we are not designed for it.

It doesn't mean that everyone will get a back injury from playing golf. It just means you will raise your risk for getting a back injury. And I assume the risk increases as we age.

[pooh]

Could be true for some, especially those who are constantly at the driving range or the course, but I know a number of people with back difficulties and they play golf with no increase in pain or problems. They have been given lessons that help them swing their golf clubs with accommodations for their difficulties.

Many sport activities put us at risk of injury....tennis, pickleball, running, baseball, cycling to name a few. Are you advocating that we give up sports or just be careful....

[dewilson58]

Drinking causes back injuries too.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

This is news? I had a 35 year career as a PGA golf professional. I have had three back operations, two shoulder surgeries and a knee surgery.

Golf is very hard on the body and the back. Golfers have been having back problems since 1300.

A lot of people don't realize what it takes to play golf at a high level. The average golfer going out using mostly his arms and shoulders to hit a ball 175 yards or so doesn't experience the same problems that better golfers, who used all of their muscles and hit 500-1000 balls a day. Playing good golf is a very physically strenuous activity.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

This is news? I had a 35 year career as a PGA golf professional. I have had three back operations, two shoulder surgeries and a knee surgery.

Golf is very hard on the body and the back. Golfers have been having back problems since 1300.

A lot of people don't realize what it takes to play golf at a high level. The average golfer going out using mostly his arms and shoulders to hit a ball 175 yards or so doesn't experience the same problems that better golfers, who used all of their muscles and hit 500-1000 balls a day. Playing good golf is a very physically strenuous activity.

Very interesting. Since I'm just about getting 175 yards now, I think I will level off there.

[kittygilchrist]

I'll be dipped. I thought golf was gonna be good for me. I had my first round today.


http://www.sportsmed.org/uploadedFil...uries%2008.pdf

[justjim]

Probably no golfer was more fit than Tiger Woods and he has back issues and leg issues. Experts of the game (including Jack Nickalas) believe that the length of golf courses and the lively golf ball may have something to do with the injuries plaguing professional golfers today.

No doubt there appears to be more and more injuries even though today's professional is more fit than those of previous years.

There are ways to swing the golf club that will better protect a golfer but you won't be driving the ball 300 plus yards and that could seriously make you less competitive.

We have not heard the last of these issues.

[Carl in Tampa]

Almost any athletic activity, if played at a highly strenuous level, puts a person at risk for a variety of injuries.

Just getting old puts you at risk.

The official medical diagnosis for one of my back problems is "age related lower lumbar stenosis."

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

There was some talk about Tiger Woods having a back problem and I heard a doctor talking about it on the news. He said it's not that uncommon for golfers to injure their back because the golf swing is not natural. I think he means it twists the back in ways that are unnatural. Throughout most of history, man did not swing a golf club, so we are not designed for it. It doesn't mean that everyone will get a back injury from playing golf. It just means you will raise your risk for getting a back injury. And I assume the risk increases as we age.

I doubt most of us play at a professional level.
At some point in time, games like tennis, pickle ball and baseball become too challenging.
Golf is one of the very few activities people can enjoy into their 90s.
I say "Enjoy your golf!"

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I doubt most of us play at a professional level.
At some point in time, games like tennis, pickle ball and baseball become too challenging.
Golf is one of the very few activities people can enjoy into their 90s.
I say "Enjoy your golf!"

A few weeks ago I went to the 90th birthday party of a retired Secret Service Agent who I worked with many years ago.

His children gave him a new driver.

He came here fifteen years ago and he still plays golf three times a week and is still competitive.

[robertj1954]

There is truth about the golf swing not being natural and can cause back injury. But if you are like the majority and play recreational golf the risk is not so great. Just remember when under trees check for hidden roots and when hitting out of sand traps the risk of injury increases. Enjoy everyday and see you on the golf course.

[Mudder]

Any movement can put you at risk for back problems so why worry about it? Relax, enjoy life, VillagePL.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Mudder

Any movement can put you at risk for back problems so why worry about it? Relax, enjoy life, VillagePL.

Village PL
I think the majority of people think that a little golf will help us age healthily.

However I'm surprised you haven't mentioned pickle ball ...
I hear it's responsible for a lot of falls, when played by novices,
but that may be rumor.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Mudder

Any movement can put you at risk for back problems so why worry about it? Relax, enjoy life, VillagePL.

It seems I can't report what I heard on the news without someone thinking that I'm not relaxing or not enjoying life. I guess that's par for the course. (I don't play golf but I speak golf.)

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

It seems I can't report what I heard on the news without someone thinking that I'm not relaxing or not enjoying life.

When you post something you hear on the news,
most readers probably assume that you agree with the information.