Show Notes
On this episode of The Golf Parent Podcast, Ryan Adams sits down with Ryan Degale to unpack one of the most overlooked issues in junior golf: back health. While many parents and coaches focus on swing mechanics, scores, and tournament schedules, the reality is that golf can put serious strain on the spine, especially for young players.
Ryan shares why golf is uniquely dangerous for the back, the most common training mistakes juniors make, and how poor habits at a young age can lead to injuries like scoliosis over time. He emphasizes the importance of mobility, flexibility, strength conditioning, and proper training routines to keep juniors healthy while developing their game.
The conversation also dives into the role of hydration and nutrition in maintaining back health, the misconceptions created by social media, and why warm-up and cool-down routines should never be ignored. Parents will walk away with practical tools and a fresh perspective on how to protect their child’s long-term health and success in golf.
🔑 Key Takeaways: - Golf is particularly dangerous for the back due to its mechanics - Many junior golfers train like athletes in other sports, which can cause injuries - Strength conditioning and awareness are critical for young golfers - Improper swing mechanics over time can contribute to scoliosis - Flexibility and mobility training prevent injuries and build longevity - Hydration and nutrition are essential for back health - Common misconceptions about back training lead to mistakes - Warm-up and cool-down routines are often ignored but vital - Social media can mislead juniors with unrealistic training examples - Excessive deadlifting can be harmful for golfers’ backs
⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 The Dangers of Golf for the Back 06:44 Importance of Mobility and Core Strength 12:42 Running and Its Impact on Golf Performance 20:12 Hydration and Nutrition for Back Health 29:55 Training the Next Generation of Golfers
💥 Sponsor Shoutout: This episode is sponsored by IJGA, the world’s premier junior golf academy trusted by families who want to unlock their golfer’s full potential.
🔗 Connect with Ryan DeGale: 📸 Instagram: @Golfandbody_ 📱Phone: (954) 401-0936 🌐 Website: Golfandbody.com
🔗 Connect with The Golf Parent: 🌐 Website: https://www.thegolfparent.com/ 📸 Instagram: / thegolfparent 📺 YouTube: / @thegolfparent 🎧 All Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
More from The Golf Parent
A private equity deal moved Jeff Isler and his family from Los Angeles to Dallas. It fell apart 6 months later. He did not want to go back, so he converted a garage and started a junior golf academy in a business he knew almost nothing about. That academy turned 20 last October. It is now an 8,500 square foot facility in Southlake, and Golf Digest named Jeff a Best Teacher in Texas for 2026-27.
Shaun Diachkoff is the founder of Fairway Performance is TPI certified in both fitness and power.
At 17, Megan Khang turned down a full ride to Wake Forest, skipped college entirely, and turned pro the week before the final stage of LPGA Q-school. She earned her full tour card on the first try. Now in her 11th season, she is an LPGA Tour winner, a US Solheim Cup player, and the first golfer of Hmong descent to compete on the LPGA Tour.
What separates junior golfers who thrive under pressure from those who fall apart when things go wrong? In this powerful episode of The Golf Parent, Ryan Addams sits down with renowned sports psychologist Dr. Bob Winters, also known as “The Confidence Doctor,” to explore the mental skills that shape confidence, resilience, and long term success in junior golf.
What does it really take to develop a successful junior golfer, and what are most parents getting wrong along the way? In this powerful episode of The Golf Parent, Bernie Najar, one of the most respected coaches in the game and the 2026 PGA National Teacher and Coach of the Year, shares the blueprint for long term player development.