Why Your Back Hurts During the Golf Swing (And Why Rest Isn’t Fixing It)

If you’ve ever felt back pain during or after a round of golf, you’re not alone. Low back pain is one of the most common complaints among golfers of all skill levels—from weekend warriors to competitive players. What’s even more frustrating? Many golfers try resting, stretching, or taking time off, only to find the pain returns as soon as they swing again.

So why does your back hurt during the golf swing—and why isn’t rest fixing it?

Let’s break it down.

The Golf Swing Is a High-Demand Movement

The golf swing may look smooth, but it places significant stress on the spine, especially the lower back. During a single swing, your body must:

• Rotate rapidly through the hips and thoracic spine

• Maintain stability through the lumbar spine

• Transfer force from the ground, through the core, into the club

When one part of this system isn’t doing its job, another part—often your lower back—pays the price.

Common Reasons Your Back Hurts During the Golf Swing

1. Limited Hip or Thoracic Mobility

If your hips or upper back don’t rotate well, your body will find that motion somewhere else. Most often, that means excessive motion through the lumbar spine, which is not designed for large amounts of rotation.

This commonly shows up as:

• Pain during the backswing or follow-through

• A feeling of being “stuck” or restricted

• Loss of consistency and power

2. Poor Core and Pelvic Stability

Many golfers assume back pain means they need to stretch more. In reality, the issue is often insufficient stability, not flexibility.

If your core and pelvis can’t control motion during the swing:

• Your spine absorbs more shear and compressive forces

• Small compensations add up over repeated swings

• Pain increases even when your swing mechanics look solid

3. Asymmetries and Chain Imbalances

Golf is a highly asymmetrical sport. Over time, golfers develop strength and movement imbalances between the right and left sides of the body.

These imbalances can lead to:

• Overloading one side of the lower back

• Difficulty rotating in one direction

• Pain that starts on one side and gradually spreads

This is especially common in golfers who practice frequently or only train in one plane of motion.

4. Swing Changes Without Physical Preparation

Working with a golf coach is great—but if your body can’t physically achieve the positions being coached, your back often becomes the limiting factor.

When this happens, golfers may experience:

• New pain after lessons

• Temporary performance gains followed by setbacks

• Frustration despite improved technique

Why Rest Isn’t Fixing Your Back Pain

Rest can calm symptoms, but it doesn’t address the root cause of golf-related back pain.

When you rest without correcting the underlying problem:

• Mobility restrictions remain

• Stability deficits persist

• Movement patterns don’t change

As soon as you return to golf, your body is forced back into the same compensations—and the pain returns.

That’s why many golfers feel better during time off, only to flare up within the first few swings.

The Missing Piece: Golf-Specific Assessment

Generic rehab or fitness programs often miss what golfers actually need.

A golf-specific physical assessment looks at:

• Hip and thoracic rotation

• Core and pelvic control during rotation

• Side-to-side asymmetries

• How your body loads and unloads during the swing

This allows treatment and training to be tailored to your swing, your body, and your goals—not just your symptoms.

How Golf-Specific Physical Therapy Helps

At FullSwing, we focus on addressing the why behind your pain—not just the pain itself.

Golf-specific physical therapy can:

• Restore motion where you need it

• Improve stability where you lack control

• Reduce stress on your lower back

• Help you swing freely without fear of pain

The goal isn’t just to get you back on the course—it’s to help you play better and longer.

When to Seek Help

If your back pain:

• Occurs consistently during or after golf

• Returns every time you resume playing

• Limits your swing or confidence

…it’s a sign that rest alone isn’t enough.

A targeted, golf-specific approach can make all the difference.

Ready to Golf Without Back Pain?

If you’re tired of guessing, resting, and hoping your back pain goes away, we’re here to help. A comprehensive golf-specific evaluation can identify what’s holding you back—and create a clear plan to keep you swinging pain-free.

Your swing shouldn’t hurt. Let’s fix the reason it does.