My favorite pastime on the course is watching everyone twisting into odd postures to gear up the for a nice shot. As a chiropractor, sometimes I cringe when I see that. Couple this “pretzel pose” motion with a bent-over stance, repeat 120 times over three or four hours, add the fatigue that comes with several miles of walking, and you've got a good workout-that’s great. But you’ve also got a recipe for lower-back trouble.

If your round of golf leaves you popping aspirin and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, you’re going to have very little energy with the kids when you get home. So I’m here to give you some advice on how to keep your golf game up:

• Avoid metal spikes. They tear up greens and can increase stress on the back. Soft shoes or soft spikes allow for greater motion.
• Keep your entire body involved. Every third hole, take a few practice swings with the opposite hand to keep your muscles balanced and even out stress on the back.
• Take the "drop." One bad swing-striking a root or a rock with your club-can damage a wrist. If unsure whether you can get a clean swing, take the drop.
• Use weight training to improve your game. A golf-specific conditioning program incorporates moderate weight, with medium (12-15) repetitions, and in a time frame of 30-45 minutes. This type of program is designed to improve your golf-specific strength and endurance, not bulk up.

"Most golfers go until they get hurt, then look for help," says Dr. David Stude, member of the ACA Sports Council and founding fellow of the National Golf Fitness Society. "Back pain is a warning sign that there is an underlying problem responsible for a symptom that will likely get worse. Doctors of chiropractic look for the cause of the symptom and help reduce the likelihood of future injury."

If you take the chiropractic approach, you're in good company. According to Dr. Stude, Tiger Woods says that lifting weights and visiting his chiropractor regularly have made him a better golfer. And who can doubt Tiger Woods?

Dr. Venn is a graduate of Parker College with a B.S. of anatomy and a Doctorate of Chiropractic. He has taken over 320 extra hours of study specializing in the Gonstead system. He resides in Frisco, TX, where he practices at Venn Family Chiropractic. Contact: 972-668-9200, drvenni@aol.com or visit his website at www.drvenn.com.