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Club Thrown, a Locker Kicked—and a Game That Deserves Better. It was hard to miss the headlines during this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont:
Rory McIlroy, the four-time major champion and face of modern golf, smashed a tee marker and walked off in silence. Then came reports that Wyndham Clark—2023’s U.S. Open champion—allegedly took his frustrations out on several lockers in the Oakmont clubhouse.
In the span of 24 hours, golf looked less like the sport of dignity and precision it’s long been known for—and more like a pressure cooker with turf.
And I get it. Pressure, fatigue, nerves… we’re all human. But I also think we’re at a point where we could use a reminder of something deeper:
Across the pond (as the British say) there is an enduring urban legend that sounds just plausible enough to not go away in that the word GOLF was actually an acronym for Gentleman Only; Lady’s Forbidden. The truth is the word “golf” comes from the Dutch wordkolf or kolve, meaning “club.” The Scots adapted it to “gouf” or “golf” in the 15th century. But sticking with its history, Golf was once the game of gentlemen. And it still can be. And maybe—just maybe—that can be restored with an appreciation for spine health and Spinal Decompression. Keep reading, I’ll explain later.
What’s Really Going On Beneath the Tantrum
When I saw Rory’s behavior—and then read about Clark’s—what struck me most wasn’t the flash of anger. It was what it signaled: a body and mind under stress, with no room left for regulation.
As a chiropractor, I see this every day in a different form.
When your nervous system is overloaded, and your spine is compressed, it doesn’t just show up as physical pain—it shows up as irritability, fatigue, frustration, and mental fog. You react more, recover less, and lose your edge.
That’s why I’m making a case for something old-fashioned and radically effective: composure. Grace. Control. And underneath all of that—alignment.
Golf Demands Poise—and That Starts With the Spine
Golf isn’t an easy sport. It requires rotational power, precision timing, and total neuromuscular control. A tiny imbalance in your spine or hips can throw off your swing—and your mood.
That’s where spinal decompression therapy comes in.
At Neurolink Chiropractic in San Mateo, we use spinal decompression to relieve pressure in the spine, especially for patients struggling with herniated discs, sciatica, or degenerative disc disease. These are not just painful—they’re swing killers.
With regular decompression therapy, we:
- Rehydrate the discs between vertebrae
- Restore spinal curvature and joint spacing
- Reduce nerve compression
- Improve posture and core control
- Calm the nervous system
For golfers, that often translates to:
- Smoother swing mechanics
- Longer endurance on the course
- Fewer spasms, tweaks, and stiffness mid-round
- And yes—relief for sciatica pain, a very common complaint for golfers over 40
Even Pros Lose It—But You Don’t Have To
I’m not here to judge Rory or Wyndham. They’re elite athletes. And if they feel overwhelmed enough to throw a club or kick in a locker, there’s probably a whole lot more going on beneath the surface.
But for those of us living everyday lives—raising kids, managing stress, trying to sneak in a round or two on the weekend—we owe it to ourselves to take better care of the system that holds it all together.
Your spine isn’t just a column of bones—it’s your movement generator, your shock absorber, and your stress processor. And when it’s under strain for too long? Things start to crack. Sometimes emotionally, too.
Peripheral Neuropathy: The Quiet Saboteur in Your Swing
One thing I see too often—especially in older golfers—is peripheral neuropathy.
This condition disrupts the way your body senses balance, temperature, and joint position. It can lead to numbness in the feet or hands, instability when walking, or a frustrating lack of “feel” in your swing.
And here’s the worst part: many people write it off as aging.
But peripheral neuropathy isn’t inevitable. With proper spinal and neurological care, many patients improve their proprioception, balance, and confidence on their feet. We see real, measurable improvements in coordination—and it often starts with improving nerve function through decompression and tailored neuromuscular therapies.
Because let’s be honest—there’s nothing gentlemanly about falling out of balance mid-backswing.
What Happened to the Gentleman Golfer?
There was a time when golf wasn’t just about skill—it was about how you carried yourself.
Arnie’s grin. Palmer’s posture. Jack Nicklaus walking tall no matter the score. You didn’t curse the putter. You respected the course. And most of all—you respected yourself.
I think we need more of that energy today—not just in golf, but in life.
And that kind of composure? It doesn’t come from suppressing frustration. It comes from having the physical and mental clarity to respond, not react. That’s what a healthy spine and nervous system offer: the ability to stay grounded under pressure.
✅ Call to Action: Reclaim Your Game, and Your Grace
If your golf game feels tight… if your mood runs short… if your back locks up halfway through the back nine… maybe it’s time for a reset.
Let’s bring the grace back.
At Neurolink Chiropractic, I offer specialized decompression protocols designed for golfers and active adults looking to restore flexibility, calm their nerves, and get back to playing—not just better, but calmer.
And if sciatica pain, neuropathy, or long-standing spinal stiffness is holding you back? We can help with that too.
Schedule a consultation and let’s assess where your body—and your game—are out of alignment. We’ll get you back to center. And maybe, back to the game the way it was meant to be played.
One Final Thought: Calm is a Skill—Alignment Makes It Possible
In the end, Rory and Wyndham’s reactions were human. But so is growth.
If we want a future where golf is played with elegance, sportsmanship, and joy—we have to support the systems that make grace under pressure possible. That includes your spine, your nerves, and your recovery habits.
Composure isn’t a trait you’re born with—it’s a state you maintain.
So be a gentleman. Stretch. Breathe. Realign.
Let your spine support your swing—and your best self.
At The Neurolink Chiropractic, that’s our mission too: helping people reset, realign, and reengage with their lives—free from pain, and full of purpose.
Let’s start there—together.
Call my Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Clinic in San Mateo for a Wellness appointment and take advantage of our New Patient Special.
Photo Credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
