Play Golf Forever: Treating Low Back Pain and Improving Your Golf Swing Through Fitness [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Michael Jaffe (Author), Brian Tarcy (Author), Ron Brizzie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 2006

PLAY GOLF FOREVER: Treating Low Back Pain and Improving Your Golf Swing Through Fitness is an overall look at low back pain as it relates to golf and it includes information on when you need to see a doctor as well as on types of medical treatments for low back pain. The core of the book is an exercise program designed to strengthen the lower back for the rigors of golf--functional training for core strengthening. Citing a few stories of patients from his SPorts Medicine practice in Southern California, where people can golf year round, Dr. Michael Jaffe focuses on the message that motion is life. Jaffe, who is a golfer as well as a triathlete, mixes medical information with a physiological examination of a golf swing and then offers an exercise program that is designed specifically to strengthen a golfer's back. Low back pain is very common in golfers. What should be common knowledge among golfers--in fact, among all of us-- is that exercise is the best thing you can do to ease your pain. By making clear that exercise works, PLAY GOLF FOREVER is an inspirational book that educates, motivates and demonstrates. Someone once said, "There is nothing more obvious than the gracefulness of a well-timed golf swing." Learning the mechanics of such a golf swing, especially as it relates to back health, is another cornerstone of this book. This book is split into three parts--examining the back, the game of golf as it relates to the back, and the exercise program. These three parts are book ended by two inspirational chapters explaining the power of the body to heal itself, and how functional training recharges that power. Part One of PLAY GOLF FOREVER delves into an explanation of the many kindsof lower back pain, when to see a doctor, including a list of red-flag symptoms, and then an overall look at the various treatments available. Part Two of the book examines why golfers get lower back, including a look at the four major causes, as well as a comparison between golfers with and without lower back pain. This part will also examine the golf swing in pieces so that golfers can understand exactly what their body is doing during this quick burst of athleticism. Part Three of PLAY GOLF FOREVER offers an examination of how muscles and nerves work together and then how functional training for core strengthening is designed to challenge and improve the way the body works. Finally, this part will delve into a stretching program to be used before playing as well as throughout a game on the course. PLAY GOLF FOREVER is a book for those who want to play golf but feel hampered by their lower back. Though it does include a few stories from Dr. Jaffe's practice as well as from the world of professional golf, this book is not designed as a narrative. It is a self-help book in its most basic form. It offers information, inspiration, and instruction. It offers a way for people to play golf forever.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the best golf fitness books... BEST LOW BACK PAIN ADVICE" - Ralph Simpson, Golf Digest Professional Advisor -- Golf Digest, October 2006

From the Publisher

What People Are Saying About Play Golf Forever:

"This book is the easiest to understand of all the exercise books I've seen. The concepts are clear and the illustrated exercises make it fool proof for me."
--AJ Bonar, PGA/LPGA teaching pro, Contributing Instruction Editor to Golf Magazine, Golf Illustrated and Golf Tips

"Being familiar with lower back pain, I am most impressed with the comprehensive approach the author takes. This practical and well focused test is packed with critical information for making golf a healthy and enjoyable life-time activity."
--Jeffery M. Johnston, Director of Golf, University of California at Irvine

"This informative book is a must for physicians and golfers alike. This book stresses the important of biomechanics for a good golf swing to prevent injury, and the treatment of injury thereafter."
--Brian Davis, MD, Director Sports and Spine Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California at Davis Medical Center

"I was not able to play golf due to a ten year history of low back pain. Our Medical Director suggested that I see Dr. Jaffe. He placed me on this Golf Fitness program and I have been playing golf two times a week ever since."
--Julie Phillipson, MD, Pathologist

"The public needs a book like this! Information explaining the mechanisms of back pain combined with a modern rehabilitative approach through core strengthening is something I can recommend to all of my patients. I cannot believe something like this has not come out sooner."
--Joseph Salama, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon

"I have used Dr. Jaffe's program to treat many patients. The proof is in my practice. This program will strengthen the muscles that you need to support your low back and control your golf swing."
--Sharon Kyle, RPT, Physical Therapist

"As a serious golfer, I have always searched for an approach to fitness that would strengthen my body without disrupting my golf swing. Since beginning this program, not only do I feel stronger but my golf game has actually improved."
--Jake Cooper, Commercial pilot, Northwest Airlines

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 189 pages
• Publisher: Literary Architects (May 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933669004
• ISBN-13: 978-1933669007
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #950,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Golf is fun again!, May 12, 2006

By 

Golfguy55 (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Play Golf Forever: Treating Low Back Pain and Improving Your Golf Swing Through Fitness (Paperback)

This book is a miracle! When lower back pain began to affect my golf game and then my ability to even get on the golf course, I became depressed because, frankly, I live for golf. Then my daughter found me this book, PLAY GOLF FOREVER. Not only was it loaded with information about the back and how it works, especially during a golf swing, but it included a program that I now use. And I'm back on the golf course, playing and feeling better than I have in years. Thanks Dr. Jaffe!

4.0 out of 5 stars Play Golf Forever, June 22, 2009

By 

John D. Johnsoniii (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Play Golf Forever: Treating Low Back Pain and Improving Your Golf Swing Through Fitness (Paperback)

This book is informative and will be useful in developing a strong and healthy back and core for better performance in playing golf.