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Four of every five Canadians will suffer some type of back pain during their lifetime and golfers are extremely vulnerable

For most of us mortals, there are very few similarities golf-wise, anyway - between us and the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Mike Weir and Colin Montgomerie.

These world-class pros hit it long, high, and straight (most of the time), and can usually wield a putter with great skill.

Yet there is one area here weekend duffers can empathize with these golfers and that's when it comes to back pain.

At one time or another, a majority of the players on the PGA Tour has suffered with back problems. Strains, pulls, slips, hernias . . . you name it, they've had it.

And don't even mention the Champions Tour where back ailments are so common, Advil is passed out like M&Ms.

Amateur or pro, major champion or club champion, high handicapper or scratch, back pain afflicts them all. Of course, a problematic back is not something reserved for golfers. Approximately four out of every five Canadians will experience some sort of back pain during their lives - and we're not talking just a muscle pull, here, but actual pain due to injury.

For golfers, however, the matter can be even more prevalent due to the physics of the golf swing.

"The golf swing is not a natural movement," said Dr. Pat Graham, a chiropractor who has worked on golf pros from the PGA Tour to the Canadian Tour. "Your two feet are planted and you rotate your body around your spine. It puts a lot of pressure on your spine."

The list of Tour pros who have experienced serious back pain is lengthy and high-profile, and, according to Graham, there are even more who suffer with nagging injuries from week to week, requiring maintenance from medical professionals who are at every Tour stop.

That figure is backed up by one of Canada's most prominent PGA Tour members.

"I would estimate that about three-quarters of all the PGA Tour players in any given field are suffering from some sort of physical problem," said Richard Zokol, indicating that not all of them are back related.

While Zokol hasn't had any serious problems with his back, he has felt the pains that come along with the normal deterioration from a 23-year career as a professional.

"As you age, you discover the limitations your body has and you have to work harder to keep it working," he stated. "PGA Tour pros work exceptionally hard to play at that level and the wear and tear on the back is almost a given."

But what about the average golfer? The guy who steps up to the tee after a run from his car following a frenetic drive from the office so he can make the tee time, not giving the slightest care that his back muscles may not be ready to accept the force of his John Daly-esque swing?

He or she doesn't have the services of a chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist, acupuncturist or trainer that the boys on Tour do. Further, he likely doesn't have the knowledge to properly prepare his body for a round of golf.

The result can be disastrous.

"It's strange that people will spend thousands on clubs and lessons but not take care of their body, and that's the missing link in all of this," stated Isaac Levy, who created Strolf, a highly regarded program of stretches and exercises specifically targeted at golfers that is offered at some of the country's top courses.

Levy and his team see hundreds of golfers every year. Some are looking for preventative measures, but a majority has already experienced some sort of problem, an unfortunate situation that leaves him scratching his head.

However, not all medical professionals are buying into pre-swing stretches, at least not without some prior loosening. Some golf programs suggest that stretching should only be done when the body is warmed up through an elevated heart rate or after the round.

Stretching muscles that are cold can be like trying to bend taffy that's hard; you can possibly do more harm than good.

"Some research now suggests that you'd benefit more with a run up the stairs rather than stretching," Graham said.

Members of the highly successful Swedish national team program are often seen running wind sprints up and down the first hole prior to teeing off to accomplish this.

Getting the blood flowing, some experts say, can be as beneficial as a good stretch.

Of course you don't have to sprint; something as simple as Jumping Jacks or running on the spot or even a little hopping can do the trick.

On the course, keeping your back in mind during certain movements can also help.

"You watch Fred [Couples] take the ball out of the hole and he does it right. He lifts his leg so it allows his spine to tip over flat," said Graham. "Those are the little things that people can do that will help them if they have a bad back."

Graham also urged anyone who walks with their clubs to get a double-strap bag and to have it properly fit to their height.

A training program targeting the body's core, such as the one Strolf offers, is vital and so is keeping the weight off that middle.

And if you do suffer from back pain, have it checked out immediately.

"A lot of these problems are really easy to fix," Appleton stated.

That is good news to masses of golfers in this country, all of whom want to get back into the sport they love. Continue to learn more about golf, please visit Score Golf.

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