Chiropractic can help a golfer perform better.
Golf is difficult on the back. Eric Pach didn’t realize the true need for chiropractic until he picked up a golf club 6 years ago. He played college soccer and used chiropractic as needed, but never understood the impact chiropractic would make on his golf game.
According to the National Golf Foundation, more than 47 million people in the United States played golf in 2024 with 28 million being on-course golfing.
The modern golf swing techniques place unique physical demands in concentrated areas of the body, putting five times more compressive load on the low back than running.
Why Chiropractic is so Important
Dr. Tyler Gaudry, Doctor of Chiropractic and lead doctor at Chandler Chiropractic of Scottsdale, sees patients regularly who want to play longer, be on the course more and when they are on the course improve their performance.
“Without proper mobility the likeliness of injury becomes very high,” he said.
Chiropractic is a critical component for golfers who want to play better and enjoy the game for a longer period of their life. Stretching and strength training alone just doesn’t have the same benefits.
Eric explained, “I golf once a week, and I get adjusted once a week. It is just part of my fitness plan. Without the adjustment I just don’t play as well. My flexibility increases and drive performance is always better when I get adjusted.
“I have had to miss a few rounds of golf, and I just don’t want to be doing that.”
A 2009 study featured in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, using 43 participants in a randomized study concluded that adjustments in association with muscle stretching saw a larger improvement of full-swing performance when compared with muscle stretching alone.
“Consistent chiropractic care is an essential part of an athlete’s fitness routine as it maintains joint and nerve health especially in the low back.” Gaudry said. “Golf brings unique pressure in a single area, which can lead to arthritis making a game like golf much more difficult as we age.”
How Chiropractic Helps
Adjustments assist with posture and spinal alignment, reduces the risk of injury, increases mobility, flexibility and nervous system function and creates faster recovery all allowing for more power and endurance during a game.
“I think people underestimate the power chiropractic has with sports performance,” Eric said. “They took x-rays, came up with a plan that integrated chiropractic with stretching and exercises. The program has had a definite positive impact on my game.”
Regular chiropractic care slows the degenerative cycle, increases flexibility and allows the nerves to function at a higher level.
“It is important to take x-rays prior to receiving care, so the doctor has a complete picture of a specific person’s spine health,” Gaudry said. “Every person is different and understanding what is happening on the inside is critical.”
At Chandler Chiropractic of Scottsdale, they do a comprehensive exam, performance evaluation and x-rays to get a full picture of the athlete’s body. The office integrates a plan for chiropractic care, physical therapy as well as stretches and exercises that go home with the patient, so they can be increasing mobility and flexibility correctly to optimize performance and longevity of their golf game.
