Golfers are a dedicated bunch.

Even as the days grow shorter, nothing gets in the way of the most dedicated players of the greatest game. For the uninitiated, it may seem silly to walk around on a gigantic lawn sloshing around, chasing a little white ball in the pouring rain. But golfers know about the passion involve, the personal challenges, the refining of the skills.

It’s a passion shared by many golfers. At first you find the reward of hitting the ball square on a more consistent basis, and with this you find that it becomes more manageable to hit it straight down the driving range closer and closer to that painted tractor tire that represents 200 yards. An awkward swing slowly transforms its way into merely adequate; adequate gets smoothed out into what appears to be a passable swing. From one day to the next at the driving range, you notice that your swing becomes more effortless, more full. As your practice becomes more dedicated, you notice that others are closing watching your technique, hoping that they could somehow have the stature and flow to carry the ball straight down the fairway.

Golfers who are dedicated to the craft see that although one day varies from the next, over time the accuracy at the range gets better. When the ball veers to the left, it looks less like a slice, and more like a deliberate, stylized shot. Pretty soon you start looking at websites giving advice on flexibility and control. Back foot perpendicular to the driving line; keep the leading arm straight.

Dedicated golfers. Golfers are passionate about adding yards to the drive. Low loft and a long carry. How much range of motion does your leading shoulder have? How does your x-factor compare? Your back hurts but it doesn’t matter because you’re 50 yards short and you need to bring it back up before the end of the week. Your back hurts, so you’re using more swing in my shoulders, I hope it doesn’t start aching too.

It’s been said that 90% of the amateur golfers out there have an inadequate range of motion to have their optimal swing. So, to make up for the loss of motion in the spine, golfers will often times overcompensate with their shoulders. This, coupled with the repetitive nature of the game, leads to shoulder or back injuries. Or both. Every swing is a powerful impact to the muscle and skeleton systems; up to 90% force is applied to some muscle groups with every swing. Going to the driving range is like picking up a heavy weight at the gym and violently picking it up a hundred times over the course of several hours. Do you think it’s possible that you may injure yourself? What if your swing is inefficient?

But golfers are a dedicated bunch, and nobody is going to stop us from getting the practice that we need to fine-tune our skills. Fortunately, that why golfers love chiropractic care.