Putting and My Aching Back!

I am guessing that all of us can relate to the title of this article. I am sure you have bent over for that 4 footer (can't give you that 4 footer, sorry), and felt that lower back feel tired, sore, painful or tight. Regardless of what the word is, you feel it! I also am guessing that some of you have changed to belly putters for the reason that your back hurts when you putt! Even if you are one of those players that has switched to a belly putter because of back pain, that pain is an indicator of something else going on within the body. I am sure we could use the excuse: I am older now and that is just what happens; or maybe we use the "cave man excuse": humans just were meant to walk on two legs! Regardless of what excuse you use, there is a reason and solution to solve those lower back problems. Even if you don't realize it, the lower back that you feel when putting is also affecting the other parts of your game (i.e. driving, long irons, chipping, pitching, etc.) This article has the goal of explaining why your back is sore when you putt and what we can do to help alleviate the problem.

Why Does My Lower Back Ache?

Well, let me say this to start. If you are in agreement with the "caveman excuse" you are in the ballpark as to why the lower back begins to ache on the 12th or 13th green. Standing upright, which is a specific posture (keep that word "posture" in mind throughout this article), places stress on the lower back. When I say stress, I am talking about the muscles of your lower back working to support your body in a specific position. The same holds true for when you putt. You get behind the ball, line the putt up, look at the line, maybe crouch down, take a few practice putts, and then away you go. In all the actions described above, your lower back is actively working to maintain posture in all those positions. Do this little activity to give you an idea of what your back is doing all the time to support your body. Take your hand and make a fist. Squeeze that fist as hard as you can for one minute, no less, more if you can. Now relax. How do your hand and forearm feel? Pretty tired, huh, maybe stiff. What you just did is exactly what your lower back does all the time. It is constantly contracting to hold your body upright. After time it gets tired and the result is a sore, stiff, and tight lower back.

Up to this point we understand that the lower back is involved to a great extent in supporting the body. Now, how about when we move? Have you ever felt that back tighten up when you are getting out of a chair, and then you have to wait a second after you stand up before you start walking? Again, I will guess that the majority of us can answer yes to this question. This an example of a movement where the lower back is already fatigued, but nevertheless the lower back is now involved in moving the body, even though it is fatigued. When you walk, run, bend-over, turn, or rotate, your lower back is involved in the movement. The lower back gets a so-to-speak "double whammy" when it comes to what it does for the body. The lower back is involved in both supporting a position in which you place your body and also in the movement of the body. (If you need an example of how much the lower back works during the day, keep your fist clamped for a day, and see how your forearm feels the next day.) So at this point we know the reasons why our back is sore when we step over that 4 footer for birdie (sorry it is still not a gimme in my book, gotta be inside the leather). It is a twofold reason: number one has to do with posture, and number two with movement. Now that we know why our lower back gets sore or tight, how do we fix it?

How to Fix that Aching Lower Back

Before we describe ways to fix the lower back let us first give some suggestions to those who already have severe lower back problems. I would first suggest you see your personal physician. Always better safe than sorry. If you are someone who constantly has a sore lower back or you get up every morning with a stiff back, go see your doctor. You never know what might be going on in that lower back area. Quite possibly you may have a problem with a disk, a bone spur, or any number of serious lower back problems. I have seen a lot of these issues in my day, and I will say, number one, it always important to be under the supervision of a physician in such cases, and, number two, if you catch such lower back problems early they are much easier to treat than the ones that linger. So do yourself a favor and go see your physician before things get worse.

Now, on to how to help eliminate the lower back that tires on the back nine of your weekly round. We know from above that we are using the back "24-7" so to speak. Golfing requires the lower back to work even harder than normal. This is a result of the rotating, stabilizing, and power production required of the swing. The lower back is getting tired because it is neither strong enough nor does it have enough endurance within its muscles to support the activities you perform on a daily basis!

I am betting by now you have a pretty good idea of what to do to rid yourself of that lower back soreness. The lower back must become stronger and increase its endurance capacities. This will increase the durability of the lower back to withstand the stresses placed upon it during your daily activities. Strength can be defined as having enough force production with your muscles to perform a certain activity, and endurance is having enough energy in those muscles to do an activity over and over again. These are simplified definitions, but they work well for what we are talking about. Strength in relation to the lower back has to do with the ability to maintain postures. You must get the lower back strong enough to maintain the postures of the activities you participate in (i.e. golf). Endurance in the lower back is creating enough stored energy in the lower back muscles to do to whatever activity it is that you do over and over again without getting tired (i.e. golf swing).

The combination of strengthening the lower back and creating more endurance within these muscles creates the highest probability of the lower back staying healthy for all activities. The next question you probably have is: what are the proper exercises I should perform to get my back in better shape for golf? Take a look at our products at www.bioforcegolf.com for more information on this topic.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. Check out his manual and DVD, Your Body & Your Swing, (http://www.bioforcegolf. com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=93) on BioForceGolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.

---

The Ultimate Swing Training Program

Why isn't your golf swing improving? Have you ever had... Read More

What are You Doing to Improve Your Golf Swing?

Improve your golf swing. You have probably tried everything, from... Read More

Golf Weight Training Is The Answer To Longer Drives

It is no secret that most of the male and... Read More

Golf! How To Power That Drive Away

Anyone who tells you, that he or she would not... Read More

Mental Training for Golfers: Attitudes that Sabotage Commitment

Plateaus in performance sometimes occur when you don't see any... Read More

Golf Course History - You Could Play On The Worlds Oldest Golf Course

The oldest golf course in the world...If I asked you... Read More

Tiger Woods Wins Again

Tiger Woods today strolled to his second British Open Golf... Read More

Golf Specific Weight Training...Dont Fear It

The fascinating thing about golf-specific weight training is that despite... Read More

Left Handed Golf Tips

Where do you find left handed golf tips? You find... Read More

The Jet-Lagged Golf Swing

The golf travel industry is huge. Destination resorts such as... Read More

Golf on Historic Rice Plantations of South Carolina; a Special Treat! Plan Your Next Golf Vacation!

Nothing could be finer...Just a few short miles south of... Read More

Golf Fitness Training Made Easy?And Anyone Can Do It

Golf fitness training might sound grueling, sweaty and a lot... Read More

How To Properly Check The Club Heads Of Second Swing Used Golf Club

Interested in Second Swing used golf club? No surprise there.... Read More

Improve Your Golf Swing Fundamentals And Watch Your Game Transform

Most golfers are aware that by focusing on the golf... Read More

How Golf Stretches In Your Office Can Improve Your Game

Yes you heard it right! Golf stretches in your office.... Read More

Golf Holiday - Plan Your Holiday Golf or Your Ireland Golf Vacation

Try Ireland for a golf holiday full of emerald green... Read More

Prepare for the Worst and Play Your Best

It's one thing to get mad when you miss a... Read More

How Power Play Golf Fitness Has Changed The Game

The sensational entry into the game by legendary golfer Tiger... Read More

Will You Have The Time For Your Golf Training Exercise

Modern living is such that many amateur golfers fear golf... Read More

Golf Tips ? Finding that Winning Grip and the Cures for Grip Related Problems

The correct grip is a key fundamental component of a... Read More

Getting to the Core of the Problem with Your Golf Game

How do you fix it? Well, there's no magic core... Read More

Guide to Playing Golf for Free and Getting Huge Discounts on Golf Balls, Golf Gloves, and Golf Stuff

If you love to play golf as much as most... Read More

Does Your Junior Golfer Need A Sport Psychologist?

"My son gets so angry on the golf course that... Read More

How to Unleash Your True Golf Potential (Part 1)

Time and time again we see today's golfers out on... Read More

Balance Your Checkbook and Golf Swing

We all search for it. Balance in our daily lives.... Read More

How Fitness Has Changed The Face Of The PGA Tour

Professional golfers on the tour today are approaching fitness as... Read More

Improving Your Golf Balance

The need for balance for golf just sounds so simple... Read More

Golf Stretches Reduce Risk Of Injury And Improve Your Game

Most amateur golfers don't give enough attention to performing regular... Read More

Are You Too Old For Golf Fitness Workouts

Many a senior golfer would not resist the temptation to... Read More

What Impact Does Exercise For Golfers Have

In spite of numerous assurances some golfers still dread and... Read More

What Causes Golf Back Pain?

Why it that back pain is such a common complaint... Read More

How Timing The Golf Swing Is So Critical To Consistent Shots

Timing the golf swing is extremely critical. It is not... Read More

How Important Is Your Golf Swing Release

An optimal golf swing release has a lot to do... Read More