4 May 2026 · Flora · 9 min read
Golf injuries and TPI screening on the Costa del Sol
Back pain, restricted swing, or golfer's elbow on the Costa del Sol? Physio Flora offers TPI body screening and golf physiotherapy in Marbella & Riviera del Sol — fix the body, fix the swing.
A powerful, repeatable golf swing starts with a body that can rotate, stabilise and transfer load — the focus of our TPI work at Physio Flora, Marbella & Riviera del Sol.
Why your golf swing starts with your body
It starts as a twinge in your lower back after 18 holes. Or maybe your ball striking has become inconsistent and you can't figure out why. Perhaps your shoulder has been grumbling through every backswing for months. Whatever the sign, your body is telling you something important — and the answer is rarely in your grip or your stance. At Physio Flora, we help golfers across Marbella and Riviera del Sol fix the physical limitations behind their swing faults and stay on the course pain-free.
Golf is one of the most technically demanding sports in the world. However, it is also one of the most underestimated when it comes to physical preparation. A full golf swing involves every major joint in the body firing in a precise sequence. When one link in that chain is stiff, weak, or restricted, another compensates. As a result, that compensation — repeated 80 or more times in a round — is exactly how golf injuries happen.
The good news is that most golf-related pain and performance problems are highly fixable. In many cases, addressing the physical limitation corrects the swing fault at the same time.
In this guide, you'll find:
- The most common physical causes of golf injuries on the Costa del Sol
- How your body mechanics directly affect your swing
- How we assess and treat golfers at Physio Flora using the TPI method
- Three physiotherapist-approved exercises to improve your golf body today
- Answers to the questions our golf patients ask most
Why golf is harder on the body than most people realise
The golf swing is a rotational movement performed under significant load. In addition, it is highly asymmetrical — you repeat the same movement pattern on the same side, hundreds of times per round and thousands of times per season. Because of this, muscle imbalances and joint restrictions develop gradually and often go unnoticed until pain arrives.
The Costa del Sol is home to some of the finest golf courses in Europe. However, playing regularly on courses like those in Marbella, Sotogrande, and Mijas also means consistent physical demand on your body. Many of our patients play three or four rounds per week. That volume adds up quickly, especially if underlying restrictions are never addressed.
The three most common physical limitations in golfers we see at Physio Flora
Restricted thoracic rotation: the most overlooked cause of back pain in golfers
The thoracic spine — the mid-back — is where most of your rotation in the backswing should come from. However, if it is stiff from years of sitting, cycling, or poor posture, you will compensate elsewhere. The lower back, hips, and arms are forced to make up the difference. As a result, ball striking becomes inconsistent and lower back pain becomes almost inevitable.
This is one of the most common findings I see in golfers on the Costa del Sol. Fortunately, it also responds very well to targeted treatment and mobility work.
Limited hip internal rotation: why power leaks from your downswing
Being able to rotate your lead hip internally during the downswing is critical for effective power transfer. In contrast, when hip rotation is restricted — which is common in older golfers and those with desk-based jobs — the body compensates by finding rotation at the knee or lower back. Neither is designed for that job. Over time, therefore, this compensation leads to knee pain, lower back pain, or both.
Poor shoulder mobility and stability: the swing fault you cannot see
The trail shoulder needs sufficient mobility to reach a good backswing position. The lead shoulder, however, needs stability to control the downswing with precision. Imbalances between the two — often caused by asymmetric training or a previous injury — affect both consistency and injury risk. In addition, many golfers do not realise that their shoulder restriction is the root cause of their recurring back or neck pain.
How Flora assesses golfers: the TPI body screening explained
As a TPI Level 1 certified physiotherapist, I assess the relationship between how your body moves and how you swing the club. The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) method connects physical limitations directly to swing faults. Because of this connection, the results for golfers are often remarkable: fix the body, and the swing frequently corrects itself.
A TPI body screening at Physio Flora takes around 60 minutes. During the assessment, we work through 16 physical tests covering mobility, stability, and movement patterns that are specific to the golf swing. From the results, we build a personalised programme targeting your specific limitations. This includes mobility work, strength exercises, and movement drills you can do at home or at the range.
Over 15 years of working with athletes — including Ironman triathletes, Olympic-level competitors, and touring professionals — I have learned that the most effective approach is always individual. There is no generic golf fitness programme that works for everyone. However, there is a programme that works for your body. That is what we build together.
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Want to make the most of your TPI screening? Download our one-page prep checklist — everything to bring, wear and think about before your session, plus the red flags to tell Flora in advance. Perfect to print or save to your phone.
Three physiotherapist-approved exercises to improve your golf body today
These exercises address the three most common physical limitations in golfers. As a result, they are a good starting point for almost any golfer. However, if you are in pain, please book an assessment before beginning a new exercise programme.
1. Thoracic rotation in side-lying. Lie on your side with your knees stacked and bent to 90 degrees. Place both hands together in front of you. Slowly rotate your top arm open towards the ceiling, following it with your eyes. Hold for two seconds, then return. Do 10 repetitions on each side, twice daily. This exercise directly targets thoracic rotation. Because of this, it is one of the most impactful things a golfer can do off the course.
2. Hip 90/90 stretch for lead hip internal rotation. Sit on the floor with both legs bent to 90 degrees, one in front and one to the side. Sit tall and gently lean forward over your front shin. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch sides. In addition to improving hip rotation, this stretch reduces the compensatory load on the lower back during the downswing.
3. Shoulder wall slides for mobility and stability. Stand with your back against a wall. Press your arms against the wall in a goalpost position. Slowly slide your arms up the wall, keeping contact throughout. Return slowly. Do 10 repetitions. This exercise improves shoulder mobility on the trail side and trains scapular control on the lead side. Therefore, it addresses both shoulder requirements of the golf swing in a single movement.
Playing the Costa del Sol's finest courses week after week is a real physical load — preparing your body is what keeps you on them.
Golf injuries do not have to be part of the game
Many golfers accept pain as an inevitable part of playing regularly. However, it does not have to be that way. In most cases, the physical restrictions that cause golf injuries are entirely treatable. As a result, addressing them not only reduces pain — it also improves your game.
At Physio Flora, we combine thorough clinical assessment with evidence-based treatment and a genuine understanding of the active, outdoor lifestyle that brings people to — and keeps people on — the Costa del Sol. We see golfers from Riviera del Sol, Marbella, Fuengirola, Estepona, Benalmádena, Mijas Pueblo, and across the region.
Your best golf is still ahead of you — let's make sure your body is ready for it.
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Marbella & Riviera del Sol · No referral needed · English, Dutch, German and Spanish-speaking physiotherapy
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be in pain to benefit from a TPI screening?
No. In fact, many golfers come to us for performance reasons rather than pain. A TPI screening is just as valuable for someone looking to add distance or improve consistency as it is for someone managing an injury.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on what we find. Some golfers see significant improvement within three to four sessions. Others with longer-standing restrictions may need six to eight. In all cases, however, the programme is designed around your specific findings, not a fixed protocol.
Can you help with golfer's elbow?
Yes. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylalgia) is one of the most common overuse injuries we treat. However, because it is frequently caused by swing mechanics rather than grip strength alone, treatment that also addresses the underlying movement pattern tends to produce better long-term results.
Do you see golfers from courses across the Costa del Sol?
Yes. We see golfers from across the region, including Marbella, Sotogrande, Mijas, Fuengirola, Estepona, and Benalmádena. Our clinic in Riviera del Sol is conveniently located for golfers playing courses along the western Costa del Sol.
Can TPI screening help me add distance to my drive?
Often, yes. Restrictions in thoracic rotation, hip mobility, and shoulder stability all cap the power you can generate. When those limitations are addressed, many golfers gain club-head speed as a direct byproduct of moving better.
How long does a TPI screening take?
A full TPI body screening at Physio Flora takes around 60 minutes. This covers the 16-point movement screen, a discussion of your golf history and goals, and the initial exercise plan you will leave with. Follow-up sessions are typically 45 minutes.
At what age is a TPI screening useful?
Any age from junior golfers to seniors. Juniors benefit from screening as they grow into rotational load. Amateurs in their 30s to 50s often gain the most performance benefit. Golfers in their 60s and beyond use TPI screening to keep playing pain-free and to protect the lower back, hips, and shoulders over time.
Do I need to bring my clubs?
No. A TPI body screening is a physical assessment, not a swing lesson. You will not hit balls in the clinic. Comfortable clothing you can move in — shorts or leggings and a t-shirt — is all you need. If you also want a video swing review, we will refer you to a trusted PGA teaching professional to combine with the body screening findings.
What is the difference between a TPI screening and a golf lesson?
A golf lesson works on what the club is doing. A TPI screening works on what your body is allowing the club to do. The two are complementary. Most swing faults have a physical cause; fixing the physical limitation is usually what makes technical changes actually stick.
Do I need an X-ray, MRI, or GP referral first?
No. You do not need a referral or any prior imaging to book a TPI screening in Spain. If we identify something during the assessment that warrants further investigation, we will advise you and can point you to appropriate services locally.
Is TPI screening covered by private health insurance?
Many international and Spanish private health policies — including Sanitas, Adeslas, AXA, and international expat providers — cover physiotherapy sessions. Coverage of the TPI screening itself varies by policy. We can provide detailed documentation to support your claim.
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Whether you're managing a nagging golf injury or want to unlock more from your swing, a TPI body screening gives you a clear picture of what's holding you back — and a plan to fix it. No referral needed — choose your clinic below.
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