Back to the Bucket

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By Brent Kassian, BScPT, MCPA, MCPTA

  Spring is in the air, and there is nothing sweeter than hauling out to the driving range and cranking out a large bucket of balls.  Or two.  This is especially true if you got a new set of clubs for Christmas, or if you are prepping to play the brother in law for money at the Northern Bear.  But, there is nothing more sour than a cranky back driving you to the basement X-Box instead of the tee box.
BACK TO THE BASICS
 Before you get all wound up for the golf season, here are some tips which can get you through your first few practice sessions:
* CRAWL, WALK, RUN.  If all you have done during the past six months has been to crawl into the office, and sit around on your rear all day, every day, chances are the toothpaste core of your discs may have migrated into a position which can make your low back susceptible to your golf swing torque.  Walking can actually help to reduce this potential problem.  A light jog will also do.  Go for a 15 or 20 minute walk before you hit the range.
* ROTATE SLOWLY.  Before you unload your first big driving range swing, be sure to warm up with some slow stretches.  For example, put a club behind your back, then rotate slowly to one side and hold it for about a ten one-thousand count.  Repeat to the other side.  Do at least 12 times each side.
* LEAVE THE BIG DOG ALONE.  Leave your driver in the half-ton.  Better yet, as you know that your spirit is willing but your flesh is weak, leave your Big Bertha II at home.  In fact, only take out your seven or nine iron.  Swing easy.  You will have a lot of time to teach the old dog some new distance tricks later in the season.
* BIGGER ISN'T BETTER.  Get the small bucket your first time out.
* LISTEN TO YOUR BONES.  If you get some nasty twinges that persist after a few swings, stop swinging.  Try some more stretches.  If the twinges don't go away, pack it in for the day.
* WARM DOWN.  Repeat your stretching once you are finished.  Consider a short walk instead of plunking down in the clubhouse right after you're done.  This will keep your muscles and ligaments nice and loose.
  If you have back pain that doesn't settle down after a couple of days at the range, swing into your favorite physical therapist's clinic and get some professional help.  He should be able to figure out what's going on and get you back to the bucket before the spring season swings into summer.
  Brent Kassian, BScPT, MCPA, MCPTA is the Executive Director Capilano Rehab Centre phone:  466-1104 check out their groovy website @ www. Caprehab.com