Golf is often perceived as a low-impact sport, but the rotational forces involved place immense stress on the body. Without proper mechanics and mobility, injuries are inevitable.
1. Lower Back Pain (The #1 Complaint)
Lower back pain is the single most common injury in golf, accounting for approximately 15.2% to 34% of all amateur injuries and up to 55% of professional injuries (McHardy et al., 2006). It often stems from a lack of mobility in the hips and thoracic spine (upper back).
The Mechanism: If your upper back doesn't rotate enough during the backswing, your lower back is forced to compensate by rotating more than it's designed to. This excessive torque leads to strain, disc issues, and chronic pain.
The Fix: Improving thoracic mobility and core stability is essential. But first, you must identify if the limitation is physical or technical.
2. Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Pain on the inside of the elbow is a classic sign of "Golfer's Elbow." It's typically an overuse injury caused by gripping the club too tightly or hitting the ground ("fat shots") repeatedly.
The Fix: Grip pressure awareness and strengthening the forearm flexors can help. However, biomechanical analysis by our Fade Golf physiotherapy team typically reveals that amateurs with this condition often have a steeper Angle of Attack, leading to deeper divots and higher impact forces.
3. Hip Mobility & Sway
Tight hips are a silent swing killer. If your hips can't internaly rotate, you will likely "sway" or "slide" instead of turning. This not only saps your power but puts massive stress on your lateral ligaments and lower back.
The Role of Screening
Most golfers try to fix these issues with painkillers or random YouTube drills. But without knowing exactly where your limitation lies, you're just guessing.
At Fade Golf, we use the TPI Physical Screen to map your body's limitations. We can tell you definitively if your back pain is caused by tight hips, a weak core, or poor swing mechanics.