Back Pain and Putting Practice
Is your putting stance putting stress on your back and causing you back pain?
Jim wrote to say he’s been practicing putting for hours and when he’s done, his back is killing him. So I told him …
Joe, you likely have a problem with your posture. You are bent over too much at the waist. When we bend over too much at the waist when putting – as well as with long shots — the key problem is our being out of dynamic balance. The head and shoulders are too far out from the body’s center of gravity, which is at the base of the spine. Bent over too much like this, with too much weight too far out from the center, causes the lower back, hips and upper legs to have to tense up to support and balance the upper torso as it moves in the swing or putting stroke.
If you’ve been practicing your putting too much, your back is sending you a message. Dr. Armstrong, an orthopedic surgeon, and my mentor for the physiology of the golf swing, has a saying that God gave humans the ability to feel tension, stress and strain. They are the prelude to pain. Ignore them too long, and you pay the price.
Now, what to do. First, lighten up on the putting practice. When you feel tension, stress, and strain, STOP! Relax…and… STRETCH. Do stretching throughout the day to keep the muscles relaxed.
Second, try standing a little taller, that is with less spine tilt at the hips. You may need to get a longer putter, or even go to a belly putter or longer. Standing taller should end the stress, strain and tension, and may even allow you to practice as long as you like. You may not need to practice as much with better posture, because a balanced putting setup produces a better and more consistent stroke, which will help you makes more putts.
Here’s to good weather and great golf!
The Surge!
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i’m not looking to drive the ball 300 yards or anything like that. i just want to be extremely accurate and feel i have a clue on what i’m doing on the golf course
don, since watching your 10 free lessons it has helped me so much. I play off 15 which is new to me, at the begining of the year i was off 21 so my game has come on quite well this year. i watched lesson 10 on friday morning and played friday afternoon shooting my best ever round of 73 2 over on my course. my irons are fantastic at the moment have been for most of the year but im really struggeling with my driver i seem to come over the top of the ball all the time no matter what i try to fix it and hit the ball left to right sometimes a nice fade but a lot of the time a slice. please could you help me solve it.
Darren
DON…I WROTE A BLOG ON GOING UP THE TREE @ 12:00, AND IT’S NOT WORKING FOR ME. IF I TAKE MY HANDS TO THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I STILL GET 260 OFF THE TEE. HALFWAY UP THE TREE IS WHAT I DO…IT WORKS!!
AND ON THAT NOTE..I WON MY FIRST GROUP OUTING WITH THREE OF MY GUYS, AND I DID IT WITH A NICE 92….HEY!!!!!! I WAS HITTING SOME SHOTS THAT MADE MY MOUTH DROP OPEN. THEY JUST LOOKED AT ME AND SAID “NICE SHOT TREE”. DO YOU THINK I STILL NEED TO TRY AND GO “UP THE TREE” AS OPPOSED TO “HEAD HIGH”?
DON…I’M SATISFIED!!! AND I’VE JUST BEEN PRACTISING THIS SWING FOR 2 BUCKETS. I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I GET IN “THE GROOVE”…..YOU KNOW???
THANKS DON………TREETOP
Don:
You are starting to make sense! (A comment more about me than you.) Could you address the issue of the “two-lever” or “double pendulum” swing. Your swing appears to have only one lever, which supposedly reduces the power of the swing. I say “appears” because the change in direction at the top of the backswing plus the resisting the cock of the wrist in effect makes a short but power second lever. Is this correct or am I over analyzing the swing?
Most people stretch a little before they play and even on the practice range. However, when players practice their short game or putting they don’t stretch.
Do some mild stretching before you leave the house or even at the course, especially when you practice putting. You will be surprised how well you will feel and the back pain will go away for good.
Come see us at: http://www.aboutjuniorgolf.com
Heya Don!
Your DvD’s have made me drop below 20Hcp allready… and I started golfing about 3 months ago… my newest scorecards havent been confirmed yet, so it will be even lower ;D. Ive had great succes the last 1,5 month, as the first 1,5 months I tried different swings, cause I didnt understand ur teqhnique, and after reading alot of posts everyday, I think many others dont do as well. It wasnt before after a golf pro lesson, the pro trying to learn me “the Ben Hogan” swing I understood your swing, and what makes it so incredibly good!(sorry for giving up on you to fast)… For people that are unsure, understand the parts of the DvD telling you about; Grip and especially AFAP (just dont look up to fast) and also preloading.. There is no wristcocking in PPGolfswing, dunno about other swings but its the hands rotating. Also I think a very common amateur mistake is to not let ur hips start the downswing( like tossing a rock) and complete ur swing on the upswing. This actually makes alot of difference ;D. My goal is to reach below 5 hcp next year, and I know I will reach it with this swing, because its trustworthy and you never lose it because it is easy compared to others, also your body will never hurt, I play golf almost everyday and I even train shortgame for 2-3 hours after 18 holes up to several days each week, and I still havent felt any trouble in my back or knees (Im 26 and young, but Im saying this cause in the start learning other swings, it actually gave me back strains using other swings). If you havent bought the DvD’s yet, you simply just have to, it will change your golfing forever. Im still watching them everyday on my Iphone ;D. Ps; Don masterswingsurge, could you make the bonus dvd’s where you and DJ show different shots avaiable for Iphone? Thank you for a great swing and I might take a golf trip to get a lesson with you in the future (Im from Norway you see), if that is possible though… Thx again, over and out
I signed up last week for 10 free golf videos and received the 1st one the same day. Since then I have recieved nothing but these e-mails with the blogs. They, for the most part don’t interest me. A friend of mine raved about your swing change and I am interested, but would like some sort of a sample before I decide. So far I only have the video about the setup, which I thought was very good. Could you please advise me if the other nine will be e-mailed to my address. Thank You.
Martin
Don,
Please don’t ever suggest that someone go the the belly (long) putter.
It’s the most hideous looking piece of equipment in all sports.
It says senior citizen louder than Metamucil.
Keep up the good work.
Ron in Rocky Mount, NC
What’s a Gravatar?
Hi Don,
I have added your email address to my address book. If this is what you call “white listing” then it is complete. If not then you will have to let me know.
I have enjoyed the 10 free lessons and the daily tips. I took advantage of your $19.95 offer for the 10 videos plus the 5 bonus videos on June 19, however I have not completed viewing them all.
Seems that every time that I view one then try to view another my cpu shuts down near the end of the second video that I am viewing. Perhaps I am only supposed to view one at a time. I can’t imagine you having built into your program something that causes my cpu to shut down. Please let me know if you do have some kind of a “one at a time policy” in place.
I really appreciate the tips and they make a lot of sense, but at my age(74) and playing once a week(weather permitting) I don’t expect to turn pro any time soon. I do enjoy the game and hope that I can pick up on the 3/4 swing and knock a few strokes off of my score.
Again, thank you for all the tips and the videos. I will give you an occasional report and let you know how I am doing.
Care and regards,
N.D. “Norm” Iman
niman1@triad.rr.com
Norm,
I have no idea about the cpu shutting down. I would suggest calling customer service as they know a whole lot more about the site than I do, as I keep my focus is on golf instruction.
Don
Ron,
I am with you that the long or belly putters are not right. But you have to give them credit for saving some careers like Bernhard Langer’s. I have gone through poor putting spells, and tried the belly and the long, but I concluded that I never putted bad enough (never had the yips like many who do go long) to make that radical a change.
A gravatar, I believe is putting your picture in the photo spot on these comment spots as the PPGS computer gurus put mine up. The Surge, like you was clueless about a gravatar and how to get one until one of them told me he put mine up.
Don
Les,
Go to the FAQ section on the site as I believe there are instructions there as how to get the missing ones.
Don
Martin,
You can go to the site and check the FAQ section and I believe it explains there how to get the missing videos. If that dos not work call customer service and I am sure they can help.
Don
LTJ,
You certainly have come a good way in a short time demonstrating the results of practicing and playing with a good goal in mind. Keep it up and your handicap will go the other way…DOWN.
Don
Randy,
AMEN…on stretching. I would also recommend especially on putting and short game to stop periodically and re-stretch as these shots tend to be more bent over and for a long times, so it is good to stretch out as it also allows a break time mentally as well as physically.
Don
Walt,
I would say you are correct about the left wrist being a lever. It flexes but does not break. We need levers to create power. But we have to remember that levers are angles and flexing levers are better than breaking levers as in cocking your wrist. The more levers, especially breaking levers we have the more margin of error we have which means more swing problems and bad shots. Less or fewer levers and we have more success. I like fewer levers, which makes it more simple and more success.
Don
Tree Top,
Everyone needs to find the best top of his tree (punn intended) that produces his/her best controlled swing and thus controlled shots. The key is lifting your arms as high as you can making sure that your spine stays stable. Too much lift will cause the spine to tilt forward, and you will have swing problems and will start feeling stress in your neck, shoulders and lower back. From what you wrote about finding a lower treetop and hitting it well and being satisfied with it, I would say you have found your optimum treetop for power and control.
Don
I sm very impressed with the ppgs system. If you do not stack on the left side and tilt right, how do you make sure your hands lead the club head? I try the 3/4 swing and it seems to work and is straighter but without starting out left how does it work? I will be purchasing the whole system at the end of my dollar test. Very clear nice videos and very instructive.
Ronnie Thompson
Darren,
Since most of your other clubs are working OK, my first suggestion is to get your driver checked by a PGA pro or club fitter to see if the shaft, and length are correct for you. There is a good possibility the clubis the main problem and not your swing.
Don
John.
I like your attitude. I wish moe golfers would think accuracy and not get so caught up in distance. Distance is the drug of golf but in actuality accuracy should be as you and I realize and practice. STRAIGHT IS GREAT!
Don
Hi don
I am interested in moving to the DVDs but was not introduced to your site when the $19.95 deal for 5 DVDs was done in June
Are you prepared to repeat this offer for us battlers
Regards
Mike Australia
Don: OK since you have made a believer out of me, I have a serious question for you. A lot of golf gurus claim that physics is behind their swing, even though they name no one like you do,except Kirkundall who is a physicist but also appears to have a axe to grind. Am I correct in that you do not believe the shoulders whip the arms creating power, but rather the arms themselves create the power and take the shoulders and rest of the torso along? In other words the arms by just swinging faster along with standing up to the tee create the power?
After the bump do you pull with the left arm or push with right? From a former style I have pushed with the right because that was to be the power generator for right handers. I feel more powerful if after the bump I pull with the left and push with the right, but I’m afraid I will pull the hell out of the ball. I also get more solid contact only going half way up the tree. It’s probably a vertically challenged thing. Any answer would help. This is an improvement question because I am very happy with the swing.
Surge
I was asked by some one the other day if a swing like Happy Gilmores is legal in golf and do you know of anyone ever using such a style at a higher level
Thanks
Leigh
thanks for the free tips on how to swing with less pain. I have two steel hips, and 4 5 & 6 low back disc turned inwards on my spine, so I know what pain is. with the 10 lesson you sent to me over the last 10 days I hit my iorns 10 to 15 yds longer and my driver is longer, and straighter. I am still working on your pain free swing, so at this time thanks on the 50% off on your DVD, however i will pass for this time. Once again thanks for the 10 lesson, and the daily tips.
Hi Don,
I ordered and paid for your training manual plus 5 free DVDs…………………..3 days ago…….. I am still waiting to receive them.
Hope everything is OK
denis
Great Information! It Helps A Lot
Fabulous!
This is a great site, i’ll look forward to your next post
Ahya, I’ve posted a similar post as well if you’d like to
have a look :
http://www.allbackpainsecret.com
Please Don’t Forget To Leave A Comment..
Thanks..
GooD Day
Sarah Tanady
All Backpain Secret
Hi Don,
I had a chance to go practice today, I got your DVDs last week. I must say your DVDs are really convincing. I have gained accuracy, not to much length though, but I am not looking for length, middle of fairway is fine with me.
The hardest part is the finish. I do go up the tree on the back swing, and it helps a lot, but the finish is really hard. Any special tip for this last part?
Thanks again for the DVDs, I could successfully download them. As I mentioned the other day, I ordered them one day too early ( after the ninth lesson !! I could not wait any longer ) and could not take advantage of the 50% rebate…really unlucky..Anything you can do about this ?
HARRY.
Jack Kuykendall IS a physicist, and really doesn’t have an axe to grind, to use your words. What he has is penchant for telling the truth regardless of who it bothers (grin). I know Jack, and am one of his certified instructors. He really does have physics behind his swing. LIke Don, he has paid attention to the way the body really works, as opposed to most instructors.
Fred Brattain
Director of Instruction
The Disabled Golfer’s Learning Foundation
Corona, CA
i have been golfing 52 years and never have had a lesson. i have always cocked my wrists. i have always swung from my heals. i have always bought the latest greatest new driver on the market. i have had your first 4 lessons and have come away amazed. sunday i had no wrist cock in my 3/4 swing. sunday i hit my wifes old 41″ driver. sunday i kept the swing up on the ball thought for every shot including my putts. sunday i shot an 83(normal 95). sunday i was 18″ away from fulfilling my #1 bucket list of a hole in one. i can hardly wait for lessons 5-10. thanks again.
happy golfer keith
Fred: I did say he was a psysicist. I also know that he was taken by a certain single plane swing company. It was not a cut on Jack. He just seems, understandably, very defensive at times. Sorry, didn’t mean to offend.
Don,
I am 58 years old have been playing golf since my first summer out of High School. My handicap has ranged from 0-5 for most of those years, however I have always seemed to struggle with consistent solid ball contact. I have taken lessons from prominent Professionals all over the country, read and tried about every swing out there trying to improve. I came across your Internet site, bought the DVD’s and have been using your method for about 3 weeks now. It is working very well for me, I have been hitting the ball much more consistently and confidently. I just finished playing in a Local Sr event over the week-end and shot 71-69 in 25 mile per hour winds and won by 15 shots. I would like to attend one of your clinics, please send me a schedule and Thanks.
Don,I still have and inconsistency with driving with the major misses going left and feel the problems relates to the backswing take away as this often feels different and i wonder if there is some way i can fine away that the swing will feel consistent .Also i have subscibed for thevideos and wonder if the dvds get sent or you have topay extra.Overall ihave learnt alot from your videos and my ball striking has improved and my back which has been very bad is slowly feelinga little better.Appreciate all your great tips and have recommending your teaching methods to my friends as one can see lots of bad habits,dennis s
Don…please advise me if you give personal lessons or group lessons since i’m more a hands on guy..
thanks
Clarke
Hi Don, I cannot thank you enough for the 10 free Videos and all the great tips you have sent me,
my golf is changing as I put into practice all you have been telling me especially the 3\4 swing, its a miracle .Thank you so much Helen
Don,
I purchased the full boat and am very pleased with the results although I still have work to do. I am especially pleased with your little hints like standing 1″ from doorway to get feel of forward weight shift. It feels good to feel excited about golf again. However, I , like other students have already said, would like to see your swing from all angles and possibly even in slo-mo. I replay the beginning of your lessons(swinging part) to see exactly what you are doing. It’s not bad, but a more full view from different angles would help me get a mental picture of what I should be doing
For instance; I was putting my trees to close to my body and it was effecting my balance and causing me to start coming up before impact.
Thanks Don, Jim.