I often hear this question from patients: "Do you think there’s hope for me?"
What they’re really asking is whether there’s a realistic path to achieving the pain relief and functional improvements they desperately need and want. Before answering that question, there are important factors we need to assess. However, one critical point stands out: many golfers spend months — even years — silently wondering if change is possible, without ever seeking expert help in rehab and performance. This delay can mean years lost, reduced longevity in the game, and missed opportunities to fully recover. The right guidance can help golfers reclaim their ability to play without the pain and limitations that have held them back.

Golf demands coordinated rotation from multiple joints, ideally without compensation. Where things often break down—both in performance and injury risk—is when we lose true mobility at key joints and unknowingly substitute with compensatory movements. A common example among amateur golfers is the loss of internal rotation and adduction at the hips. Equally important is the ability to control pelvic rotation through the glute max—often referred to as the “king” of the golf swing. That’s what makes the Abduct and Shift Drill so valuable: it targets both of these movement patterns simultaneously, just like they’re required in the swing itself.

Shoulder pain is one of the top three most common complaints among both amateur and professional golfers. It often shows up in the lead shoulder, especially during the top of the backswing—right when that shoulder is forced to move across the body under load. But what's really causing this discomfort? And what about the trail shoulder—how does that one end up in trouble too? Let’s break down the “why” behind shoulder pain in golf and explore how we can prevent and address it.

The core is far more than just a set of muscles to be braced during your swing — it’s your foundation for long-term, efficient, and pain-free golf. By building true core stability through intra-abdominal pressure, training elasticity for power and sequencing, and developing endurance to maintain these qualities under fatigue, you give yourself the best chance to swing consistently, generate speed, and protect your low back. Don’t just chase strength or aesthetics — train the core with purpose. Prioritize these three pillars in your programming, and you’ll see results not just in your swing, but in how your body feels round after round.

Where do things go wrong for Nashville golfers struggling with chronic or recurring pain? The problem isn’t just the pain itself—it’s the system designed for volume, not quality care. Golf, like any sport, comes with its share of injuries, affecting professionals, amateurs, and weekend players alike. Yet, all too often, the standard approach relies on pain medications, steroid injections, cookie-cutter treatment plans, and the same seven chiropractic adjustments ("the flying seven"). While this may offer temporary relief for some, many find it ineffective—or worse, a revolving door of short-term fixes. The truth is, golfers deserve better.

The golf swing is a powerful, high-speed movement that places significant demands on the body. While it may not involve tackling or sprinting, the forces generated can be intense, making physical preparation essential for both performance and injury prevention. More than ever, golfers recognize that training their bodies plays a crucial role in their game. A proper warm-up is key—not just to loosen up, but to optimize mobility, stability, and motor control through rotation. To elevate your pre-round routine and ensure you're primed for peak performance, incorporate this movement into your warm-up…

When comparing yourself to the best golfers in the world, you might look at handicap, driving distance, greens in regulation, or strokes gained. But what about your body?

Does your swing generate a kinematic sequence like the elite ball strikers? If we put you on force plates, would your power, direction, and timing match the best? How do your raw physical attributes—like vertical jump height or strength—measure up?

At the end of the day, your body is the engine behind your swing. So before diving into high-tech data, let’s ask a simpler question: Is your body even capable of producing a swing that can compete at the highest level?

Here are three simple tests—no equipment needed—to find out.

Spring is an exciting time for golfers returning to the course, but it's also the season when overuse injuries are most common. Low back pain, elbow and wrist pain, and shoulder injuries can all develop due to sudden increases in swing volume, poor mechanics, and insufficient strength or mobility. The key to avoiding these setbacks is a strategic approach:

1. Gradual Ramp-Up – Ease back into playing and practice rather than going all-in too soon.

2. Strength & Mobility Training – Focus on building resilience in key joints and muscle groups.

3. Swing Mechanics – Work on efficiency to reduce unnecessary strain and excessive forces.

4. Proactive Care – Chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and structured rehab exercises can help prevent minor discomfort from turning into long-term injuries.

By prioritizing these elements, you can enjoy a pain-free and performance-driven golf season. If you're already experiencing discomfort, take the necessary steps to modify volume, address movement restrictions, and restore function—so you can keep playing your best game.

The kinematic sequence depends on generating power from the ground up. Without strong, controlled leg drive, we lose the ability to maintain posture, separate the pelvis from the trunk, and execute an efficient, repeatable swing. This not only hinders performance but also increases the risk of pain and injury in the lower back, knees, hips, and shoulders.

Medicine ball drills help bridge this gap by training lower-body power while refining upper-body coordination and mechanics—offering a key solution to lower-extremity weakness and poor motor control.

Low back pain is a common and persistent issue among golfers, often resulting from repeated stress and overuse rather than sudden injury. Addressing this effectively requires going beyond simple symptom relief techniques like cupping, dry needling, scraping, taping, and adjustments. While these methods can help manage discomfort, the true key to long-term relief lies in improving the mobility, strength, and endurance of the hips, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine. By analyzing the forces at play in your unique golf swing, we can develop a personalized, progressive plan that moves seamlessly from rehabilitation to peak performance—ensuring you stay pain-free and on the course for the long haul.

True movement freedom isn’t about just being flexible—it’s about being mobile. Mobility isn’t simply stretching further; it’s about having access to a full range of motion and, more importantly, having the strength to control it. The goal isn’t to passively lengthen muscles indefinitely but to build stability and strength within our available movement. So how do we develop the mobility we need, rather than just chasing flexibility? The answer lies in strength!

Distance in the golf swing directly correlates with higher payouts on the PGA Tour, making speed a crucial factor for success. To maximize these forces efficiently, we must refine the kinetic sequence, ensuring a clear and strategic approach to improving force production. By doing so, we can seamlessly integrate newfound speed, strength, and power into the golf swing—enhancing performance while minimizing compensations.

This week, let's take a closer look at the kinetic sequence in the golf swing—the powerhouse behind the kinematic sequence you’ve been reading about. The kinetic sequence outlines the forces driving the fluid motion of the swing. But how do these forces come together to create an efficient and powerful kinematic sequence? Let’s break it down below.

This week, I want to dive deeper into the critical role the foot plays in the golf swing. We'll explore how forces generated during the swing move through the foot, the specific capabilities your foot needs to create and transfer these forces effectively, and practical strategies to enhance your foot's ability to support your performance. By understanding and improving this foundational element, we can help you build a more efficient and powerful swing, setting the stage for better balance, control, and overall consistency in your game.

Generating power is the cornerstone of a successful golf swing. Increased power translates to higher clubhead speed, which leads to greater ball speed and more distance off the tee. In today’s game, elite-level pros are prioritizing distance like never before, recognizing its critical role in lowering scores. Data consistently shows that gaining distance can be one of the most effective ways to reduce strokes. But how do we make this a reality? It all begins with mastering the kinematic sequence, then applying higher forces through the kinetic sequence.

Optimal thoracic spine mobility is fundamental to achieving a powerful, efficient, and injury-free golf swing. The technical demands of the swing require precise coordination and proficiency from multiple joints, and having the physical capacity to execute these movements without compensating is crucial. A thorough assessment of your physical capabilities is the first step toward building a swing that not only improves your handicap but also ensures longevity and minimizes injury risk for years to come!

This week, we’re diving into the pivot—one of the most crucial elements of the golf swing. Nashville PGA professional Virgil Herring emphasizes its significance, stating, 'If you can’t pivot, if you can’t coil into your trail leg in the backswing, you can’t play, period.' But what exactly is the pivot? What physical qualities are necessary to pivot without compensation? And how can we develop a body that is mobile, strong, and powerful enough to execute an effective pivot? Let’s explore these questions and unlock the key to a better golf swing.

Reintroducing the frontal plane could be one of the most impactful changes for your golf game. Neglecting to train in this plane limits opportunities to develop strength, speed, and power in a critically important range of motion.

By focusing on the frontal plane, we can help prevent injuries, boost clubhead speed, and address negative swing characteristics like slide and sway. Simply assessing and training in this range of motion can make a world of difference.

If you’d like a deeper understanding of your mobility, strength, and power in the frontal plane, reach out! I’d be happy to explore what you might be missing and how we can optimize your performance.

Doug quickly recognized how his limited trunk mobility was restricting his golf swing, creating unnecessary tension and discomfort. Compounding this were recurring bouts of shoulder and low back pain. A comprehensive evaluation revealed three key areas of restricted mobility—hips, thoracic spine, and shoulders (especially in flexion)—all of which contributed to compensatory patterns in his swing and exercise movements.

To address these issues, we started with targeted mobility interventions, including soft tissue mobilization, chiropractic adjustments, and corrective exercises. As Doug's mobility improved, we introduced strength training to stabilize his newfound range of motion. This was followed by power integration, swing-specific transfer drills, and practice with actual golf swings.

The results have been transformational. Doug has significantly improved his swing mechanics, enhanced his ability to collaborate with a swing coach, and increased his longevity in the sport. Nashville Golf and Athletic Club won’t know what hit them when Doug steps onto the course this spring!

In this article, I want to review a case study from a local Nashville golfer. We will review his reason for coming in, goals for care, what the comprehensive exam found, and the stages of care we went through with examples of what we worked on to improve and how we did it. First, let’s learn more about Doug…