Is carrying clubs bad for your back?

[Pr3cision]

I'm sure it depends on the weight of the bag. If you have a bag that you keep a lot of clubs and golf balls then (like I do), maybe try to rent a pull cart if they allow that at your local courses.

[chillydip]

[quote name='pinhigh71' timestamp='1274157948' post='2449463']
A carry bag is not very heavy as long as you don't load it up with stuff. Unless you already have back problems I wouldn't worry about carrying your clubs.
[/quote]

I am 64 and I have been carrying my bag ever since I took the game up at the age of 13. I have always found it so convenient to carry rather than pushing or pulling a cart.

[havad44]

If you decide to get a cart, I wouldl recommend the Cliqgear 3.0. that cart is awesome!

[The Duck]

[quote name='pinhigh71' timestamp='1274078793' post='2446780']
And walking is bad for your knees. And swinging is bad for your back. And reaching down to pick up your tee is...

Might as well stay home.
[/quote]

+111111
working, driving a car , eating HIgh calorie food, reading in poor light, drinking , smoking and having fun.

Go hide and be a mole if you want to.

And Enjoy life, leave a good corpse.

If your FIT and able to do it without pain, be active, and no health issues then carring is no more harmful than other daily activities.

Ask any Doctor, GOLF is not good for your body....

[CassinoNorth]

I'd assume it's a bit better for me than deadlifting 300 lbs+ every other week.

I'll take my chances out there.

[_MS22_]

[quote name='CassinoNorth' timestamp='1303512492' post='3177661']
I'd assume it's a bit better for me than deadlifting 300 lbs+ every other week.

[/quote]

Don't get them started now . . . walking with a 30lb bag is already crazy talk!

I should show them the video of my Go Ruck test, a 19 mile run with a 70+lb ruck, how we all survived nobody knows . . . it's a medical mystery so baffling that FOX wants to put on an episode of House.

[stage1350]

It's just like any other lifting or exercise. Technique and posture are key to all.

If you have a bad back from carrying, check posture and technique. Bag may be too heavy, or straps not fitted to you.

Bad back from swinging, check your technique.

[kafka01]

I dont see many older people carrying or using push/pull carts in my club. Its very hilly and most of them switched to electric trolleys. And the ones who still carry have pencil bags with like 7 clubs in them

I carried on and off but this year i started carrying all the time - for me its just more convinent (can go straight to my ball instead of going around things) and tbh. i found using a push card on a hilly course almost as exhausting than carrying so i dont see a reason for not carrying.

As for the argument of getting a bad back - never experienced it from carrying and personally i´m more concerned from hitting too many balls than from carrying a bag, yet my technique is sound, so i cant imagine what people do to their backs with an improper technique by hitting balls.

[Random Hack]

I can't really fathom that carrying a golf bag a couple of times a week is going to have any meaningful impact on my long-term back health (I'm 31).

Seriously, I'm just gonna stop moving because walking alone causes pressure on my back - if I sit in a chair for the next 40 years, imagine how healthy my spine will be at 71! I'll probably be driving it 350 by that time.

Not for anything, but I do agree that a 14 year old carrying a full staff bag probably isn't the best move, but if you're a normal sized adult with a healthy back, there's really no reason that you *need* to not carry - some people prefer not to and that's fine, but to say "I'm saving my back so I'll be super healthy when I turn 80"; that just sounds a little bit silly.

My carry bag is stuffed to the gills (a few dozen balls, rangefinder, several sunscreen bottles, a Momentus, a Swing Speed Radar, etc.) and it's really not heavy at all - I'm a large man (and not in great shape) and I could easily carry it for 36 holes - yeah, my traps will be a little sore the next day, but that means that they were working.

[mosesgolf]

My bag these days has an extra club or two I'm hoing, 2-3 bottles of water, a laser rangefinder, at least a dozen balls, a couple big ball marker/divot fixer, and some granola bars. So yeah, my back would hurt if I kept carrying all that during my rounds. Gimme my Clikgear 2.0 please.

[vinny809]

If heavy backpacks because students carry too many books and a laptop in their bags (~10 pounds) are bad for the back. Then carrying a bag full of clubs is certainly bad for the back.

[richard t]

Yesterday was 72 degrees,sunny, low humidity. Can't get much better than that.I walked 18 holes by myself. Had a ball. Shot 81 and 78. (Played two balls-course is dead on Monday).. I had 12 clubs, 6balls, tees, PBJ and bottle of water in the bag. (Ping Moon Lite). In summer I walk all the time. 64 yrs old, good health, and it keeps the weight off. My rational is I'd rather be walking the course than going to some gym and using machine to do the same thing I can get 3/4 times a week having fun. My Dr. seems to think it's fine so... If I owned a golf course there wouln't be any carts, that's where slow play begins! Think about it, when four guys tee off walking where does each go when they leave the tee. I play with a group who walk and it's ready golf. Not a hurry, not a foot race, just ready golf. Talk in bar, play on the course.

[AFSFK]

I walk every time. No big deal. But then again I'm 19 and in good shape. I have no idea if it's bad for my back but it doesn't bother me now so what ever.

[timliddy]

I am 58 and always carry. I think the key is to keep the bag under 20 pounds, It is amazing how much lighter my MacKenzie small leather bag feels with 13 clubs instead of 14, 4 golf balls and some tees and water bottle. What else do you need? I take a pull cart if there is a chance of rain or competition. Long putter also puts me over the 20 pound limit requiring a pull cart.

[dkirk51]

I've walked and carried my bag for years - mostly for the exercise and feel I can get into a better rhythm by doing this. My advise is to get a good quality, light-weigh bag with duel straps and take out everything you don't absolutely need on the course.

[Nspiel58]

I heard viagra works! It's advertized during tournaments, so there must be some connection between the two. Or just take a couple of tylenol, or eat a bunch of almonds because they have the same effect.
My back only bothers me after a round.

[jabrch]

Today's carry bags are well designed to carry 18. If you are in good shape, and have no back/knee issues and have a good bag, carrying isn't a problem for you.

[timliddy]

If you walk and carry your own bag, I highly recommend the MacKenzie or McKennon leather bags. Very light, last forever and very comfortable plus no goofy logos on the side. Great father's day gift.

[Ben B]

motorized walking cart. you get the exercise from walking and playing golf but don't have to strain yourself beyond the means of a typical round of golf.

[apex430]

In this day an age, invest in a push cart is well worth it.
i play weekly and my bag is load with clubs and other stuff (winbreaker, water, food, etc) and on those hot days its no fun lugging a heavy bag around push carts makes a world of difference, lets you walk and get your cardio in while playing the game that you love.

[timliddy]

Trolley is a must for club competition (without a caddy). Allows for the extra weight of rain gear, umbrella, etc.

[Agent Jim]

I haven't found carrying to be a problem at all. I am 30, and have had issues with my back since I was in my early 20's. I use a Ping 4 Under and carry 12 clubs and 10 balls (just in case its one of those days.) The only other item of significant weight that might be in the bag is a 32oz drink, but usually i just carry that in my hand. I also take 2 ibuprofen on my way to the course, so that might help me out HAHA

[timliddy]

Agent Jim,

30 does not qualify for Classic Golfer.

[QEight]

For me the biggest problem for my back, I guess, is lifting the bag. More often than not I reach for the bag and pick it up far away from my body. This makes my back twist and load unbalanced. Carrying the bag itself is not that much of a problem, except sometimes tiring experience. So learn to lift correctly, always wear both shoulder straps, or get a (push) cart.