How Hard IS The Golf Swing On The Body?

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birdie_man

birdie_man

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I am feeling more like a rickety old man everyday. When I move my shoulders or turn my neck or correct my posture I hear a strange crackly sound. (worth noting also that left side is worse in both neck and shoulder)

I am also stupid though and often don't/didn't stretch. I now am going to be smart and actually (always) stretch rather than often manically grabbing a golf club whenever I am around one and swinging it (often very hard and manically while trying to figure out golf) with stiff muscles.

Anyhoo....

How bad is golf on your body?

What can you do to curb this? I know Tiger has said he bulked up to save his joints.

Stretching? Anything special or just basically stretch everything before the round? What do the pros do?

What about technique? Swing speed aside, anything there? I read in Nicklaus' Lesson Tee book that (I guess later in his career?) he switched to more of a "hands and arms swing" from a "body swing" to help with wear and tear. (he also said he lost distance tho)

Anyhoo that's enough.

Old man Paul eagerly awaits discussion.
 
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self-mastery

self-mastery

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OT:

I often feel that my body is too fat and weak to support my max swing speed.

I also experience a lot of soreness due to golf. My shoulders, glutes, forearms and legs often feel fatigued after hitting balls.

Adductor pain is also a problem.

I am happy to say that back pain hasn't been a problem of mine in several years. When I first started the game my back would constantly ache to the point where I was ready to quit after 5 holes.
 
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RickPinewild

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Stretching

birdie_man said:
I am feeling more like a rickety old man everyday. When I move my shoulders or turn my neck or correct my posture I hear a strange crackly sound. (worth noting also that left side is worse in both neck and shoulder)

I am also stupid though and often don't/didn't stretch. I now am going to be smart and actually (always) stretch rather than often manically grabbing a golf club whenever I am around one and swinging it (often very hard and manically while trying to figure out golf) with stiff muscles.

Anyhoo....

How bad is golf on your body?

What can you do to curb this? I know Tiger has said he bulked up to save his joints.

Stretching? Anything special or just basically stretch everything before the round? What do the pros do?

What about technique? Swing speed aside, anything there? I read in Nicklaus' Lesson Tee book that (I guess later in his career?) he switched to more of a "hands and arms swing" from a "body swing" to help with wear and tear. (he also said he lost distance tho)

Anyhoo that's enough.

Old man Paul eagerly awaits discussion.
Click to expand...

I use the Roger Fredericks stretching video, I think they are great.
 
L

Leek

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I am always sore. It's usually the muscles around the neck (delts?), oftem ny shoulders, sometimes lower back. Living in the north, once golf season starts, I'm very sore and live on Advil. In time, it's not uncomfortable but the soreness never totally goes away.
 
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davel

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There are many different stretching programs but they all basically derive from yoga. the Katherine Roberts Yoga for Golf is good. Roger Fredericks is mentioned. I also like Golfflex as it has stretches you can do at the office home and at the course so you can workout parts of your body throughout the day rather than try to spend a set time which you can easily get bored doing. The good news is not only will you be less pain free you will increase your range of motion and stability and improve your golf game as a bonus.

Dave
 
FloydPT38

FloydPT38

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OK, old man Paul :)

The golf swing like many sports is strenuous on the body. Moreso than most people believe because we are just hitting a little white ball, right?. When you swing your driver you are usually using at least 90% of your maximal power- so the swing is more like a fairly hard punch-puts a lot of rotation stress on your spine because you're slightly bent over when you make that hard rotation punch vs standing straight up.

So- with regards to what to do -there is no secret. I say that because I'm right in there looking for a super great program that will cure all my ills. I also purchase many golf programs for personal and clinical use to make sure I keep up with what's out there. I just got one (early part of this year) that was touted because the instructor had worked with many pro's etc etc - It was so simple - Fairly nice DVD but it was such a basic stretching program that I could have done it when I was in school 15 years ago!

What are the basics?- Here is my quick list
Keep strong- after 30 you need to be doing something to keep your muscles in shape- Esp your hips (the real key for most people I think but ..) again, this is not negotiable. If you are not doing something - a la some type of resistance exercise you will get weaker - have to work harder to swing etc.

Stay flexible- esp in regards to what your daily activities are- if you sit at a desk and/or drive a lot you need to keep your shoulders flexible-Here's a quick test -lie down on a hard floor and put your hands behind your head (like you were watching clouds) this should be easy with no discomfort or pain. If it feels tight then you are putting your neck and shoulders at risk for injury, wearing out etc. You should be able to do this when you are 90+.
HOWEVR, I'm not a fan of doing tons of stretches- Know what stretches YOU need to do - most people don't need to do 30 min of stretching-you may need to do 2. Spend the time strengthening your muscles and heart.

Use free weights vs possible instead of machines- Free weights force you to balance there will be a higher carry over to the golf course and life.

Drink plenty of water- most people are slightly dehydrated.

There is a lot more than can be said on this topic as it is one that I hold dear. but I will close with a true story. I have a friend who we will call Fred- Fred is 72 years old and retired from a fairly manual job when he was 62. One of his reasons was to retire and plays lots of golf. When he worked he would also go to the gym at least once or twice a week. Just to do basic lifting - no super program. When he retired he started playing golf 5-7 times per week- often depending on the weather. When he was not playing he sat in the clubhouse and played cards, smoked with the guys. (you know where this is going) Fast forward to playing a tournament in the early part of this year. We played in a captain's choice tournament - he has a phenomenal short game and putting but has NO distance off the tee (or anywhere else). Despite having a huge driver, he told me he has lost at least 50 yards off the tee in the past 10 years- at least and that is with all the equipment changes. He said I'm just so much weaker now.
Contrast that with Gary player who played in the masters this year at 72 (or close to 72) and actually beat a few young whipper snappers. Due to technology and an insane workout routine Gary says he's hitting it pretty much the same as he did in his heyday.

We are all moving towards a Fred or a Gary. Make your choice.

George
 
junkilo

junkilo

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hopefully golf isn't your primary form of exercise.

I like the "golf swing is like a punch" approach. martial arts have been a fantastic source of health for me. I frequently recommend it, but I know its not for everyone.
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

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Are you sure with this not doing much stretching? I've been doing just that and my body feels more rickety than ever.

...

As for other sports, I play hockey here and there.....but not nearly as much as I used to....and not nearly as much as I should. Martial arts has always appealed to me...........ever since Beverly Hills Ninja.............

No it really has tho. I just need to get off my ass and do it and I will love it. Power of the monkey.
 
FloydPT38

FloydPT38

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birdie_man said:
PART1- Are you sure with this not doing much stretching? I've been doing just that and my body feels more rickety than ever.

PART2- I just need to get off my ass and do it and I will love it. Power of the monkey.
Click to expand...

With the first part "not stretching much?" - if you're active and doing part 2 then no you don't have to do a lot fo stretching. But the strengthening has to come in - some lifting of weights.

Basically combine lifting of weights- with some stretching - not a lot but some. This is where is helps to know what stretches you personally should be doing. But it won't hurt to go through some type of movement/stretching routine daily because we (most people) usually do too much sitting/driving/reading Brian's website. ;) If you're feeling rickety though it most likely is due to some areas that have gotten weak moreso than not stretching enough.

I've worked on a few yoga instructors who could tie themselves in knots but had some musculoskeletal problems because they didn't do the corresponding strength exercises. They had "floppy joints". Martial Arts goes great with golf-One of the best if not THE best combo's for exercise and sport.
 
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swingobsessed

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This comment is related to a thread a few days ago, but is related to this one. All of the soreness and chronic pain described in this thread is a perfect example of why steroids would help in golf. Less joint and muscle pain and less time to recover. I am not advocating their use; only stating that they would in fact give an advantage to a professional golfer that used them.
 
self-mastery

self-mastery

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swingobsessed said:
This comment is related to a thread a few days ago, but is related to this one. All of the soreness and chronic pain described in this thread is a perfect example of why steroids would help in golf. Less joint and muscle pain and less time to recover. I am not advocating their use; only stating that they would in fact give an advantage to a professional golfer that used them.
Click to expand...

Maybe...
 
P

puttmad

New
Birdie,

I am nearly as old as you feel...:D


A couple of things have positively helped me over the years..

1) A good colloidal or chelated mineral suppliment that contains the 50-60 minerals we need daily (we are ALL deficient in minerals from our diet)..

2) Try a spoonful of diluted L-Glutamine before your exercise.

3) On the backswing don't try and restrict your hip turn, let them turn away from the target in complete comfort.

4) Do a "right toe drag" (towards target) after impact. This takes a LOT of pressure off your lower back and right hip joints...
 
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