Most injuries of the lower body can be prevented by improving torso flexibility. You can spend thousands of dollars on golf lessons to overcome your bodies lack of ability to move in the right way.

The main golf related injuries to the lower body are:

Back Pain
Knee Pain

Back Pain

Back pain in golfers may be from a medical condition such as herniated disc, arthritis or stress fracture. In many cases though, it is the result of poor posture and muscle co-ordination during the golf swing.

Treatments: rest, medication, therapy, bracing, cortisone, surgery.

Fitness Prevention: Poor flexibility and muscle strength can cause minor strains in the back that can easily escalate to severe injuries.

Simple exercises to help strengthen lower back muscles and prevent injuries.
Tie the ends of rubber tubing around an object that is shoulder height.

Rowing - Standing with your arms straight out in front, grasp the tubing and slowly pull it toward your chest. Release slowly. Perform three sets of 10 reps, at least 3 times a week.
Pull-downs - kneel and hold the tubing over your head. Pull down slowly toward your chest, bending your elbows as you lower your arms. Raise the tubing slowly over your head. Perform 3 sets of 10 reps, at least 3 times a week.

ALWAYS stretch muscles before your round of golf. Then hit a few golf balls on the driving range to warm up your swing action. Avoid hitting the deck!! That jarring is a killer on the elbows.

Knee Pain

Knee pain may be from underlying conditions such as torn meniscus; arthritis in the knee, or kneecap pain (chondromalacia). It may also occur from the strain placed on a week knee to stabilise the rotation of the hip axis at the beginning of the swing.

Symptoms: Pain, clicking, swelling of the knee aggravated by twisting, squatting, and walking.

Treatments: Among the possible treatments are: Rest, medication, arthroscopic surgery (meniscus tear), total joint replacement surgery (severe arthritis), injection treatments, bracing, therapy.

Next: Golf Injuries to the Arm

Golf Injuries of the Lower Body

Back Pain

Knee Pain

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