[Physioguy]

There are probably a hundred or more things that could be included in an answer.

Biomechanically, I'm not sure the golf swing is the healthiest thing in the world for the back, but then again, sitting isn't so great for it, either!

Basically, from head to toe, if even one joint or segment does not have the mobility or stability to allow a golf swing, there will be a degree of stress introduced into the system. Now, this stress may cause pain locally in the offending body region, but it may also transmit the stress elsewhere, particularly the spine.

In my opinion, many "swing faults" are in actuality biomechanical faults (i.e. "body" faults). This may explain the golf students who seem to understand what the golf pro is attempting to teach them, yet cannot seem to produce the swing changes. In other words, knowing Tiger Woods' swing in great detail does nothing for most of us, because few people have his degree of flexibility, speed, strength, etc.

I think that many of today's pros swings look so smooth because they have "efficient" body motions. All you have to do is see someone with really tight hamstrings, or hip flexors (a common finding) swing a club, this is the person who can't seem to "get through" their hips, which can give a rather jerky appearance through impact.