Golf and Lower Back Pain in Cumming, GA: How to Keep Your Back From Ruining Your Round

It’s Saturday morning in Cumming. You’ve got a tee time, the weather is perfect, and by the sixth or seventh hole your lower back is starting to tighten.

By the back nine, you’re shortening your swing.

By 18, you’re reaching for your back before you’re reaching for your putter.

If that sounds familiar, you’re certainly not the only golfer dealing with it.

Lower-back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems reported by recreational and competitive golfers. The golf swing requires a coordinated combination of rotation, side bending, muscle activation and rapid force production—and you repeat that motion dozens of times during a round, not counting practice swings and range balls.

Whether you’re playing Hampton Golf Village, Polo Golf & Country Club, Windermere Golf Club, Country Land Golf Course or one of the other courses around Forsyth County, recurring back pain can turn an enjoyable round into something you simply try to finish.

At Backsmart Health Chiropractic in Cumming, GA, Dr. Gregory King, D.C., evaluates golfers with back pain and other musculoskeletal problems to determine what may be contributing to their symptoms and what can be done to help them comfortably return to the activities they enjoy.

Why Is Lower-Back Pain So Common in Golfers?

A golf swing may look effortless when it’s done well, but there’s a lot happening in a very short period of time.

During the swing, the hips, pelvis, spine, shoulders and arms need to coordinate while generating enough speed to move the clubhead through the ball.

Research confirms that low-back pain is a significant problem among golfers of all ability levels.

A recent systematic review published in the Journal of Sports Sciences described low-back pain as the golf injury with the highest incidence across elite, sub-elite and recreational golfers. However, the researchers also found that evidence linking specific swing biomechanics to low-back pain remains limited and conflicting.

That’s an important distinction.

Your back hurting after golf doesn’t automatically mean you have a “bad swing.”

It also doesn’t necessarily mean you need to stop playing.

The better question is:

Why isn’t your back currently tolerating the demands of your golf game?

It’s Not Always Your Golf Swing

Golfers with back pain often hear:

“You’re swinging too hard.”

“You’re coming over the top.”

“Your hips aren’t turning enough.”

“You’re reverse-C’ing.”

“You’re using too much X-factor.”

Some of those observations may be relevant for a particular golfer—but current research does not establish one faulty swing characteristic as the cause of golf-related back pain.

A 2024 systematic review found several potential biomechanical differences between golfers with and without low-back pain, but the evidence was limited, conflicting and at significant risk of bias.

The researchers concluded there isn’t currently conclusive evidence supporting the common assumption that golf-related low-back pain simply results from “poor” swing technique.

So before completely rebuilding a golf swing you’ve spent 20 years developing, it may make sense to examine the golfer first.

Your Previous Back Pain Matters

One of the more interesting findings from golf research is that a previous history of low-back pain appears to predict future episodes of golf-related back pain.

That probably won’t surprise the golfer whose back seems to flare up every spring.

You feel good through the winter.

Then golf season arrives.

You go to the range, hit 100 balls, play 18 holes the next morning and wonder why your lower back is angry Sunday night.

The problem may not be that golf suddenly injured a healthy back.

The rapid increase in golf-specific activity may have exceeded what your body was currently prepared to tolerate.

The Driving Range Can Be Harder on Your Back Than You Think

This is something many golfers overlook.

During an actual round, you might hit a full shot and then spend several minutes walking or riding to the next one.

At the driving range, you can hit:

ball → ball → ball → ball → ball

with very little recovery between swings.

It’s easy to hit 60, 80 or 100 balls in a relatively short period.

If you haven’t played much recently, immediately pounding through a large bucket of drivers may represent a substantial increase in rotational activity.

Instead, consider building your range volume gradually.

Start with shorter clubs and easier swings before moving toward longer clubs and higher swing speeds.

Quality practice may be more useful than simply seeing how quickly you can empty the bucket.

The First Tee Shouldn’t Be Your Warm-Up

We’ve all seen this golfer.

He pulls into the parking lot five minutes before his tee time.

Shoes on.

Three practice swings.

Driver.

Bombs away.

Your first full-speed driver swing probably shouldn’t be the first meaningful movement your hips, trunk and shoulders have performed that morning.

A reasonable golf warm-up doesn’t need to take 30 minutes.

The objective is simply to gradually expose the body to the movements and speeds you’re about to ask it to perform.

That might include walking, comfortable trunk and hip movements, several easy practice swings and progressively increasing swing intensity.

Save the 100% swing for after you’ve actually moved.

What About Hip Mobility?

Your hips and trunk work together during a golf swing.

Research investigating golf-related back pain has examined factors including hip mobility, trunk muscle activity, pelvis/trunk rotation and other movement characteristics.

That doesn’t mean every golfer needs to become exceptionally flexible.

More mobility isn’t automatically better.

But if one region isn’t moving comfortably, the golfer may find a different way to complete the task.

For a golfer with recurring back pain, examining hip movement, thoracic movement and lumbar function together may provide more useful information than simply looking at the painful spot.

Strength Matters Too

Golf isn’t only a flexibility sport.

You need to generate and control force.

A golfer who wants to hit the ball farther while avoiding all strengthening because “my back is bad” may be working against those goals.

Appropriate rehabilitation may include exercises designed to improve:

• Trunk strength and endurance
• Hip strength
• Lower-extremity strength
• Rotational control
• Balance
• Comfortable spinal movement
• Tolerance for repeated golf swings

The appropriate program depends on the golfer.

A 35-year-old competitive player who practices four times per week has very different demands from a 68-year-old recreational golfer who plays every other Saturday.

The treatment and rehabilitation plan should reflect that.

Walking vs. Riding: Does It Matter?

Golf can involve several hours of activity.

Some golfers feel better walking because they’re continuously changing position between shots.

Others tolerate riding better, particularly if walking long distances currently aggravates their symptoms.

There isn’t one rule that works for everybody.

If riding in the cart makes your back increasingly stiff, consider getting out and walking reasonable portions of the course when practical.

If you’re returning from a painful episode and aren’t ready to walk 18 holes, using a cart may temporarily help manage the overall workload.

The goal is to find the amount of activity your back can currently tolerate and gradually build from there.

Cumming Has Plenty of Opportunities to Test Your Back

Golf is a significant part of the recreational landscape around Cumming and Forsyth County.

Local golfers have several nearby options, including:

Hampton Golf Village on Hampton Golf Club Drive is an 18-hole, par-71 course designed by Clyde Johnston, with rolling terrain, creeks and wetlands.

Polo Golf & Country Club on Polo Club Drive is a private Cumming club offering championship golf and practice facilities.

Windermere Golf Club on Davis Love Drive features an 18-hole course designed by Davis Love III.

Country Land Golf Course on Mayfield Drive provides another local 18-hole option.

The PGA of America currently lists all four as golf courses located in Cumming.

Whether your regular Saturday game is at Hampton, Polo, Windermere or Country Land, the objective should be the same:

Finish the round thinking about your score—not your lower back.

What Does Golf-Related Back Pain Feel Like?

Golfers may experience several different symptom patterns.

Some develop a dull ache across the beltline.

Others notice pain primarily on one side.

Symptoms can include:

• Lower-back stiffness
• Pain during the backswing
• Pain at impact
• Pain during follow-through
• Difficulty standing upright after a round
• Pain getting out of the golf cart
• Buttock discomfort
• Back pain after hitting range balls
• Pain the morning after playing
• Symptoms traveling into the leg

The last symptom deserves particular attention.

Pain extending from the lower back into the buttock, thigh, calf or foot may indicate sciatic or nerve-related involvement rather than simple muscular soreness.

Is It Back Pain or Sciatica?

Golfers frequently use “sciatica” to describe almost any pain around the lower back and buttock.

True sciatic-type symptoms generally involve irritation of the sciatic nerve or the spinal nerve roots contributing to it.

Symptoms may include:

• Shooting pain down the leg
• Burning
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Electric sensations
• Leg weakness in more significant cases

If your symptoms are traveling down the leg—particularly below the knee—it’s worth having the condition evaluated.

Don’t simply stretch harder and hope it disappears.

Should You Stretch Your Back Before Golf?

Stretching isn’t automatically wrong, but more stretching isn’t always the answer.

If a golfer lacks comfortable movement in a particular area, appropriate mobility work may be useful.

But repeatedly forcing the lower back into aggressive stretches immediately before playing isn’t necessarily beneficial.

The warm-up should prepare you for golf.

That means gradually introducing the types of movements you will use on the course and progressively increasing intensity.

If a particular stretch sends pain down your leg or produces numbness or tingling, stop.

What Should You Do When Your Back Starts Hurting During a Round?

First, pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Trying to hit every drive at maximum effort when your back is becoming progressively more painful may not be the smartest strategy.

Consider reducing swing intensity.

Take an extra club when appropriate rather than trying to manufacture maximum clubhead speed.

Walk briefly between shots if prolonged cart sitting makes you stiff.

Avoid repeatedly performing aggressive stretches simply because something feels tight.

And if symptoms are progressively worsening—especially if pain begins traveling into the leg—continuing to hammer full-speed swings may not be worth finishing that particular round.

Sometimes the smartest golf decision isn’t course management.

It’s back management.

How Dr. Gregory King Evaluates Golf-Related Back Pain

At Backsmart Health Chiropractic, Dr. Gregory King doesn’t assume that every golfer with back pain needs exactly the same treatment.

The examination may include assessment of:

Lumbar Spine Movement

How does your lower back respond to bending, extending, rotating and other movements?

Hip Movement

Because the hips play an important role during the golf swing, relevant mobility or symptom-producing movements may be evaluated.

Thoracic Spine Movement

The middle back contributes significantly to trunk rotation.

Neurological Function

If symptoms travel into the leg, neurological examination may be appropriate.

Orthopedic Testing

Specific testing can help differentiate between possible sources of symptoms.

Strength and Functional Movement

How well the golfer controls movement and tolerates load may also be relevant.

Digital X-rays are available at Backsmart Health Chiropractic when clinically indicated, but imaging isn’t automatically necessary simply because your back hurts after golf.

Chiropractic Care for Golfers in Cumming, GA

When examination findings indicate that a golfer’s condition is appropriate for conservative chiropractic care, treatment may include chiropractic adjustments directed toward relevant areas.

Treatment is individualized rather than based on the assumption that every golfer has the same spinal problem.

Depending on the patient’s condition, other conservative approaches available at Backsmart may include:

• Mechanical traction
• Spinal decompression when appropriate
• Soft-tissue or supportive therapies
• Physiotherapy
• Rehabilitation exercise
• Mobility work
• Strengthening recommendations
• Activity modification

The objective isn’t to promise that chiropractic care will add 20 yards to your driver.

It’s to address appropriate musculoskeletal findings and help you return to the activities you want to perform.

If the problem doesn’t appear appropriate for chiropractic management, additional evaluation or referral may be recommended.

Five Ways Golfers Can Give Their Back a Better Chance

1. Warm up before the first tee.
Gradually increase movement and swing speed instead of making your first driver swing your warm-up.

2. Don’t go from zero golf to 100 balls.
Build practice and playing volume progressively, particularly after time away from the game.

3. Develop strength as well as mobility.
Golf requires both movement and force production.

4. Pay attention to recurring symptoms.
If your back hurts every time you play, repeatedly waiting for it to settle doesn’t tell you why it keeps returning.

5. Don’t ignore leg symptoms.
Pain, tingling, numbness or weakness extending into the leg deserves additional attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golf and Back Pain

Why does my lower back hurt after playing golf?

There isn’t one explanation for every golfer. Golf requires repeated trunk rotation and significant muscular activity. Previous back problems, current physical capacity, practice volume and individual musculoskeletal factors can all be relevant.

Is golf bad for your back?

Golf shouldn’t simply be classified as “bad for your back.” Many people play throughout their lives without significant back problems. However, low-back pain is one of the most frequently reported golf-related musculoskeletal complaints.

Is my golf swing causing my back pain?

Possibly, but don’t automatically blame your swing. Recent systematic-review evidence found limited and conflicting evidence linking specific golf-swing biomechanics to low-back pain and did not support the simplistic conclusion that “poor” technique causes golf-related back pain.

Should I play golf with lower-back pain?

That depends on the severity and nature of your symptoms. Mild discomfort that remains stable is different from severe pain, progressive symptoms or neurological problems. When in doubt, have the condition evaluated.

Is walking the golf course better for my back than riding?

It depends on the individual. Some golfers tolerate continuous walking better than prolonged cart sitting. Others need a cart while recovering. Choose an activity level appropriate for your current condition.

Why does my back hurt more after hitting driver?

A driver typically involves a longer club and golfers frequently attempt to generate higher swing speed. If maximal-effort swings consistently reproduce pain, mention that pattern during your examination.

Can tight hips cause golf back pain?

Hip movement can be relevant to golf mechanics, but it’s too simplistic to say “tight hips cause back pain” in every golfer. An examination can determine whether hip mobility appears relevant to your individual presentation.

Can chiropractic care help golfers with back pain?

Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some musculoskeletal causes of back pain. The first step is determining what appears to be contributing to the golfer’s symptoms and whether conservative chiropractic treatment is appropriate.

What if my back pain travels down my leg?

Radiating pain, numbness, tingling or weakness may indicate nerve involvement and should be evaluated rather than assumed to be ordinary post-golf soreness.

Don’t Let Your Back Decide How Many Holes You Play

Whether you’re trying to break 80 at Hampton, meeting friends for a round at Polo, teeing it up at Windermere, or squeezing in 18 at Country Land, recurring back pain shouldn’t automatically become part of your golf routine.

If your back consistently tightens during the round, hurts after you play, or is starting to change your swing, consider finding out why.

At Backsmart Health Chiropractic in Cumming, GA, Dr. Gregory King, D.C. has more than 30 years of experience evaluating and treating musculoskeletal conditions including lower-back pain, sciatica and disc-related problems.

Backsmart Health Chiropractic
Dr. Gregory King, D.C.
5610 Bethelview Road #300A
Cumming, GA 30040
770-888-4288

Backsmart offers a complimentary consultation, with same-day appointments and treatment available when clinically appropriate.

Visit backsmarthealth.com or call 770-888-4288 to schedule an evaluation.

Your goal is a better round. Ours is helping determine what’s keeping your back from enjoying it.

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized diagnosis, examination or medical treatment.