Your Golf Pain Is a Clue—Not the Whole Story

By Dr. Chris Robles, PT, DPT, TPI Certified

One thing that often surprises patients and golfers dealing with pain—whether it’s in the shoulders, low back, hips, or knees—is the assumption that the painful area is the actual root of the problem. In reality, pain is often just the symptom. More often than not, it’s a compensation for a limitation elsewhere in the body.

Take this real-world example: an individual came in with low back pain, convinced he needed to improve his core strength and mobility in his lower back. While that was part of the picture, it didn’t tell the full story. The real issue was his hip mobility. His hips were so tight that they limited rotation during his swing. And if the hips aren’t rotating well, your body will look for that rotation elsewhere—typically, in the low back.

So now, instead of the hips generating power during the swing, the back is forced to compensate and rotate more than it should. This leads to inefficient movement, overuse, and eventually, wear and tear that causes pain.

After addressing the root issue—hip mobility and strength—this individual was able to return to playing 18 holes with only mild muscle soreness that resolved within 24–48 hours.

At PerformaX, we take a holistic approach. We don’t just treat where it hurts; we identify and address the underlying cause to keep you playing longer and more efficiently.

Some go-to exercises we use with golfers experiencing low back pain include:

• Half-kneeling rotational stretch – Improves rotational mobility
• 90/90 hip stretch – Enhances hip flexibility (similar to pigeon pose)
• Pallof press – Builds core and anti-rotational strength
• Lunges with rotation – Develops strength and mobility together

There are many other variations depending on your fitness level, but these are fundamental starting points.

If you’re dealing with pain or stiffness that’s affecting your golf game, I’d love to help. As a TPI-certified physical therapist, I specialize in identifying structural or functional limitations that could be the true source of your discomfort—or the key to unlocking your next level of performance.

Reach out to me directly at crobles@pmxpt.com to schedule a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) movement assessment. Let’s get you swinging better, moving better, and staying in the game longer.

Dr. Chris Robles recently earned his Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certification! With this advanced training, he’s now even better equipped to evaluate and treat golfers, helping them enhance performance while reducing the risk of injury.

Chris brings over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer, combined with his expertise as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. His approach to care begins with a thorough evaluation to understand each patient’s functional needs and personal goals. By focusing on what matters most to the individual, Chris ensures that every treatment plan is both meaningful and effective.

What is the TPI Golf Assessment?

Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) has created a golf assessment to screen for physical mobility or stability deficiencies that may negatively impact your game. Identifying key areas of weakness or inflexibility “timely” enough, will give us time to provide you with a program to correct the defaults, improve your game and prevent the injuries that result from these imbalances and compensations.

What Happens During a PMX® TPI Assessment?

The Assessment will take up to an hour. Following a brief health screening, we’ll begin the physical test. Come dressed comfortably and ready to participate. You will be led through a series of fitness movements that are key components of the golf swing. We’ll go over your results with you to assure that you have an understanding of how your findings might be impacting your golf performance.

Is it Right for Me?

A PMX TPI Assessment is not just for those who have been previously injured or know that they have a physical limitation. To schedule an appointment in the PMX Golf studio with one of our pros, call us today.

Featured Product: Booty Bands

Looking for a small but mighty tool to take your recovery or fitness routine up a notch? Booty bands—also known as resistance bands—are a simple, affordable, and highly effective way to activate muscles and build strength, especially in the hips, glutes, and thighs.

Why We Love Booty Bands in Physical Therapy:

• Glute Activation: Perfect for targeting the glute medius, which supports hip stability and balance.
• Low-Impact Strengthening: Great for patients recovering from injury or surgery who need controlled resistance.
• Improved Form: Help reinforce proper knee alignment during squats and lunges.
• Portable & Versatile: Use them at home, in the clinic, or while traveling.

We often incorporate booty bands into rehab programs for hip, knee, and lower back injuries. They’re also a fantastic way to prevent injury by building stability in the lower body.

Want to learn how to use them safely and effectively? Ask your PT at your next visit—we’d love to show you how to make the most of this powerful tool!