Playing golf is a great way to challenge yourself both mentally and physically. Even though the game isn't physically demanding on most of your body, it can be quite grueling on the back. That's why you need to make sure you know a few simple ways for how to reduce stress on your lower back in the golf swing.

Before playing an actual round of golf, you should always make sure you spend some time warming-up. A few moments stretching before you play can prepare your lower back for the stress it will face from your golf swings while you're playing.

You should always complete these three simple stretches:

First place a golf club behind your neck and shoulders and then rotate at the waist. This will stretch your torso.

Next pull each of your knees up to your chest. This will help stretch your hips.

Finally bend over and reach for your toes a few times.

Once your stretching is completed, you should continue to warm-up by taking a few easy practice swings. Since using a proper swing is so important to preventing lower back pain, you should make sure your practice swings are done correctly.

When you warm-up, slowly swing the club making sure that you turn your shoulders, your hips, your spine, and your chest. They should all turn with the swing. Otherwise you may place undue burden on your lower back.

You also need to make sure you have the proper form. You should be swinging while on the balls of your feet with your body bent slightly forward at the hips and your spine straight.

Once you slowly practice several golf swings with the proper form, try to use that same swing when you actually start hitting shots on the golf course. Simply using the proper form will be a major help for how to reduce stress on your lower back in the golf swing.

The final tip for how to reduce stress to your lower back doesn't involve the golf swing at all. In fact, it's one that most golfers don't even think about. It's how you carry your golf bag.

Of course if you're fortunate enough to have a caddy then you don't need to worry about carrying your own bags. You may also use a golf cart that you ride in or pull along. However, a surprisingly high number of golfers carry their bag around the course.

If you carry your bag, use dual straps that will allow the weight of the bag to be divided between both sides of your back and shoulders. Also, use a stand for your bag so that you don't have to bend over to pick-up your bag.

Golf is a great game for people of all ages and abilities. Unfortunately, lower back injuries occur with quite a bit of frequency because of all the stress the golf swing places on the lower back. The best ways for how to reduce stress on your lower back in the golf swing is to stretch out, warm-up, and swing the golf club properly.