Golf Swing Injury Epidemic!

I have been teaching the “Surge Swing,” a limited turn '€“ ‚¾ length backswing since 1984 when I began learning about physiology from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ned Armstrong, and then… the physics from my engineering mentor Henry Ryffel. I hope we'€™ll be seeing Henry and Ned on video up here soon.

Right from the start, this new swing based on physics and physiology became know as the “Body Friendly” swing. I began getting known to adult golfers as the pro to see if your back is hurting because of your golf swing. And, it is quite unbelievable how many golfers came to me over the years to help their swing… and their backs or other body parts hurt and injured playing this sometimes refereed to… “sissy” game of golf.

The most alarming point I have seen develop in golf started around 1992 in the advent of a new swing theory called The X Factor Swing, and what I call a rotational swing. This new swing theory I believe, as well as many medical experts, is the number one cause of the increase of golf swing injuries… especially to the lower back. It is mind boggling . Since 1992 , the number of junior golfers, as young as 14 years old, telling me on the lesson tee that their backs were already hurting them. I am not talking aching or a little discomfort from over activity, I am talking about they have reached PAIN!!! Pain where many had already had to seek treatment and had to quit playing for extended periods for rehab.

This week, I've been busy conducting a US Sports Camp, Nike Junior Golf Camp. I had at least 6 of the 15 golfers, aged 14 thru 17, tell me that their backs really hurt when I asked them if they had any physical problems I need to know.

HELLO!!! We'€™re talking about junior golfers, teenagers, already having back pain. What is their outlook for a long golfing career with them already experiencing pain so young? NOT TOO GOOD!

Let me be brief and to the point about the ultimate cause of this back pain problem in all golfers. It is basically the result of using the rotational swing, which emphasis the principle that power comes from a huge upper torso turn and windup behind the ball in the backswing. This is followed by an explosive unwinding or turning of the torso in the downswing, with the left leg and knee straightening and locking up to a finish with the chest and hips facing way left of the target.

Why does this rotational swing cause Injury? Because plain and simple, the back is not designed to rotate any where near the amount being practiced, and at the speeds and stresses exerted in this turning, twisting rotational swing at any AGE!!!

What kind of sent me over the edge to write this article was a news report I heard a while ago on The Golf Channel'€™s Golf Central about Natalie Gulbis, a young LPGA superstar. I saw a special on her about a typical day in her life on tour, and it included stretching and strength training, to keep her strong and fit. She is doing her part to be fit and healthy.

They announced that Natalie had visited the Shands Clinic in Cleveland and had been diagnosed with two herniated discs in her lower back. She was told she needed at least 3 weeks rest and was forced to withdraw from the LPGA Tournament that week, causing her to miss a major. To me, this is unbelievable. She now has a major back problem caused by her swing, and she is so young.

Natalie'€™s swing is rotational, like most young golfers who have taken lessons the past 15 years. They are supple and flexible and encouraged to make super big backswing and forward swing turns for power. Natalie'€™s downswing is a big and fast lower turn that causes her left leg to straighten and lock up, raising her left hip up and basically impedes her upper torso from turning in sync with her legs and hips. To counter this, she has to lunge her upper torso downward, dropping her shoulders and hip what appears to be 9 inches to a foot, and then swing her right shoulder downward and through to get her arms and club to swing straight toward the target. This upper torso dip or “spinal compression” as I call it, places unbelievable stresses and torque on the lower back and hips. Paula Creamer, another under 21 years old LPGA player has a very similar spinal compression against her locked left knee. Tiger Woods has this spinal compression, and as we all know, he has left knee problems as well as back pain issues.

What scares me is that this super rotational swing with spinal compression is just about all I see from young players under 21 years old. What also scares me is that this golf swing injury is now becoming as prevalent on the LPGA Tour (where women are suppose to be more supple and flexible than men) as it is on the PGA Tour. And, on the PGA Tour it is scary how many players work out daily on strength and flexibility yet are continually hampered with back problems. Many are young, slim and fit, yet have a never ending problem of back pain. Lastly, it scares me how many golfers, period, are having back problems. All brought on by trying to swing making a big shoulder turn seeking more power.

I am real afraid and concerned that we are quickly, like at warp speed, heading into a golf swing injury epidemic. The good news is it can be avoided with a plain and simple swing.

The Limited Turn ‚¾ vertical backswing!!! To the T-Finish facing the target!!!

The Surge!