Article: Golf

Despite the rain, heat or humidity, golfers on the Gold Coast are out there perfecting their technique in pursuit of the longest drive, a birdie at least or...the elusive hole-in-one.

Anyway, if you are a golfer, especially an occasional one...you need to know about the most important success factor for a good game of golf. The pros already know and most probably hackers have a pretty good idea...It's not just about the power behind the swing, not the posture, the attitude, certainly not the equipment!

Whilst advice and equipment and all manner of device can be found at the pro shop, you just can't play a good round if your body is out of whack! It’s all about the golfer and the golfer's body.

When you consider the spinal rotation that goes into a swing and the fact that the speed of the club can reach 160 km/hour, it’s easy to understand that golf puts significant biomechanical stress on the body. A strong trunk, flexibility and good range of motion in the muscles and joints will both improve your technique and prevent injury. Don't even think about a decent game if you have back pain, neck pain, sore shoulders or stiffness in any of the above places.

Follow these tips to improve your game and prevent the pain.

Every golfer should include strength training exercises in their routine. Strengthening all major muscle groups is essential to maximizing your performance. Core body strength and flexibility helps breathing and oxygen flow, as well as preventing injury to your back. Muscle is also an important shock absorber that helps prevent strains and sprains.

Warm-up and cool-down both before and after your game for a full 20 minutes. Include gentle stretching and range of motion exercises, as well as a brisk walk or gentle jog to loosen the muscles and joints. Ask for a free pamphlet illustrating golf-specific stretching exercises to start and end your game next time you visit our practice.

Use the right technique for your musculoskeletal capacity and limits. Adopting a golf swing based on your physical and biomechanical capacity is important. Amateurs are usually better off adopting a classic golf swing which enables the hips to turn nearly as much as the shoulders to minimize spinal twisting. If you are having difficulty with your golf swing, consult your local golf pro.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after your game. Sorry, beer does not count! Our favourite rehydrating drink is a Metagenics product called Endura. It is actually quite good tasting with magnesium and other essential minerals. Not to be confused with old fashioned electrolyte drinks which actually dehydrate you, Endura actually increases hydration. Gets the water into your cells. Have a free taste next time you visit the practice.

Remember that once you are thirsty, you are already starting to dehydrate. Dehydration affects your energy level and your physical functioning. Keep the fluids up! Also, keep away from the junk food especially before the game. Good nutrition is vital to your energy levels and more than that...your judgement and coordination will be adversly affected by junk food. Sugary and fatty foods are the worst, complex carbohydrates and low fat proteins are on the "good" list. But you already know that!

Lastly, remember to have fun. The right attitude is good for your performance and your overall health!

When you feel the muscle aches, when your flexibility isn't there...we can help with specific treatment from our sports medicine practitioners. Massage for achey muscles and stiffness. Physio for the biomechanical problems and especially lower limb biomechanics...do you pronate? Orthotics will not only help your gait and stance...it will reduce any back pain, hip pain, sciatica, hip or knee problems that are foot related...

Finally, and most important, if you have sore muscles or some restriction of movement that causes pain, the very best treatment is Trigger Point Dry Needling (TPDN)The sore spots that you feel when you press on them are the trigger points, not only are they sore, they stop the muscle from functioning correctly. The muscle will slow down and will take longer to recover. So, sore spot? Come in for TPDN.

Article by Dr Peter Richard Pedersen