Normal golf pains

[SamCreamer]

Been to the range 5/7 days this week. After hittig a few buckets I feel some pain in my hands , lolower back, and left ankle (im right handed). Is this normal? Or am I experiencing these pains because of swing flaws (which im working on). Does anyone else experience such things? Im going through a serious improvement blitz and my ball striking is improving daily but my body is paying the price. By the way im 18 years old. So I guess the question is, should I be worries about these pains? Thanks

[WUTiger]

Five-plus days a week on the range is a lot of strain on the body. Some things to consider...

What kind of physical training do you do? Have you considered doing pilates or other core-strengthening exercises? Have you had sports injuries in these areas?

What type of warm-up do you do before you start hitting full shots?

You might consider getting a Titleist Performance Institute swing analysis. http://www.mytpi.com/ This involves a motion and flexibility evaluation (29 separate measurements) by a chiropractor or athletic trainer, and a swing analysis by a PGA pro. The two work as a team. The motion-flex evaluation yields a "golf fitness handicap" and gives you fitness subscores on several areas of the body. Then, you get a bloc of exercise workouts which you complete (about two or three a week). Once the bloc is done, you get a  re-evaluation and a new bloc of exercises.

You could have swing flaws, or you might simply need to strengthen and increase flexibility in certain parts of you body.

I talk to high school and little league coaches, and they often complain they can't sell the younger athletes on the importance of warm-ups and flexibility. Learning how to warm up and stay flexible can lessen injuries in 18-year-olds, and it sets the path for long-term athletic activity.

I'm 61 years old, and my biggest TPI challenge has been increasing lower back flexibility.

Hope this helps. I admire your enthusiasm!

[SamCreamer]

Wow, very helpful. Thanks. I do standard stretches before I start taking full swings but I also like to start with 3/4 swing PW before hitting full swings with irons etc. Not sure if there is scientific support to that being of any use but it makes sense to me. Interesting that you mention pilates, I've been looking at starting a yoga class to increase my flexibility.

I will definitely start to warm up more and see if I can reduce the pain or at least keep my muscles warm because the last thing I need this summer is an injury to stop me from playing as much as I'd like to.

Thanks a lot for the reply,

Sam