Bag for backpain?

[sonofelyon]

I have a pretty frequent lower back pain, made worse by being 300 pounds. Yet I refuse to stop golfing. I do think getting a backpack as opposed to my current fade tourney bag with backstraps will help, but I only want to make this purchase once, so I'm trying to get as much info as I can first.

I'm leaning towards the Grip A14, or the new B15 when it comes out in a month. (If I can wait that long) I just got a stool, hoping it will help to sit down when I can, so hopefully the bag can accommodate that.

Does anyone know if certain backpacks are better for lower back pain than others? Any tips or tricks while on a course that can help with this at all?

Thanks very much for your help!

 

[DougCrawford]

I have recurring back issues stemming from a car accident several years ago- and was searching for something similar a while back- I tried out several packs that friends had, they let me carry them for a whole round. Tried out the Grip and the DD Ranger, both of which were fairly light, but not very friendly on the back, I ended up getting the Latitude 64 Luxury bag, which is a little heavier than the other 2 I tried- but after carrying it for a round I noticed quite a bit less fatigue. It is well padded and the weight carries more comfortably.

For multiple rounds or really long tournaments I am building a cart to carry the pack though- as taking the weight on and off my back all day long still wears on me.

Other tips- stretch well before you start, make sure the muscles loosen up before you get going, drink plenty of water and eat some fruit- theres a few that are especially good for muscle soreness like pineapple, blueberries, bananas, and cherries. Walnuts and almonds help too.

 

[tbird888]

If you really want to reduce the stress on your back, look into a cart. You can pick up a used push cart made for golf bags at PIAS for under $20 and adapt it to fit your Fade bag. This will take away all the strain from having to bend over to pick up/put down a bag all day and put it all into your legs. I have no more than $40 invested in mine (already had the bag and cooler), and it's one of the best disc golf purchases I've made. It has me waiting for the Ridge Roller or Delta Cart to be released so I can buy one.

If you're opposed to making/buying a cart, the Ergo series has been the best bag I've owned in terms of reducing fatigue. It's also the bag I fit to my cart.

 

[Broken Shoulder]

Everyone is going to be chiming in with their personal preferences... which means, everyone's body is different and it's going to be pretty difficult to come to a consensus. What fits you best may be wildly different than what fits me best.
For my money, Grip makes the best-fitting, most comfortable bag on the market, but then again, I haven't tried every single one. I own the Grip A-series, and v1 of the Upper Park Rebel. My brother-in-law has the Salient Helix and a Lat Luxury bag. The Grip, for me, is noticeably more comfortable.

I think the first two guys here are right though - you might want to look into a cart. And not only that, but a cart that keeps your discs elevated to avoid bending over to grab and replace them. I'm looking at them myself, and I'm relatively young, healthy, and free of back issues.

 

[JC17393]

A big contributor to lower back problems is using the backpack strap add-ons with a shoulder bag like the Fade, and not shortening the straps enough so it rides too low. The higher on your back you can get your bag to ride, the less stress it puts on your back. If it's riding on your lower back or your butt, that's only making your back issues worse. Just something to consider in the meantime before you purchase whichever backpack or cart strikes your fancy.

 

[Jax11]

If you really want to reduce the stress on your back, look into a cart. You can pick up a used push cart made for golf bags at PIAS for under $20 and adapt it to fit your Fade bag. This will take away all the strain from having to bend over to pick up/put down a bag all day and put it all into your legs. I have no more than $40 invested in mine (already had the bag and cooler), and it's one of the best disc golf purchases I've made. It has me waiting for the Ridge Roller or Delta Cart to be released so I can buy one.

If you're opposed to making/buying a cart, the Ergo series has been the best bag I've owned in terms of reducing fatigue. It's also the bag I fit to my cart.

Theoretically this idea is 100% correct. I will caution the OP though, make sure you can push or pull your cart without hunching over (or doing whatever worsens your back pain). I have a cart that I converted from a jogging stroller and found that I needed to hunch over to naturally push it, especially on uphills. Hunching over is a maneuver that worsens my lower back pain so I stopped using that particular cart.

I really agree with Broken Shoulder, everyone's body is different.

 

[@iDiscGolf]

Get a nutsac and slim down what you carry, it'll make a huge difference and can improve your game if disc selection is done correctly. I have a double and it holds anywhere from 7-12 discs, water bottle, keys, mini, wallet, granola bar, towel. And weighs nothing, I can fling that thing around all day err'day.

But, if you still want to carry allot of discs and peripherals go with the cart idea! It makes perfect sense... I have a buddy here that has one AND a stool built on. I forget the brand, but it was deluxe! If you enjoy the hobby and are going to continue to play for the foreseeable future, treat yourself.

 

[ODRB]

TREAT YO'SELF!

 

[sjberry2017]

I had the same problem stemming from my soldier bag with DD's straps; I had intense lower back pain after a two day tournament at Grand Central in Central. I bought a Grip A14 and played in another two day tourney at the IDGC; I had pretty much zero back pain afterwards.

 

[Quinum]

I would agree with iDiscGolf and suggest using a smaller bag w/ fewer discs. If you need all of the extra storage and loads of discs, then I think Grip is the way to go.

Also...this may be a really stupid question and potentially off-topic, but do you stretch before you play? I only ask because it is pretty common to have lower back pain from tight hamstrings. I sit all day at work and didn't realize this was causing my hamstrings to tighten up and cause back pain when I played. I used to think it was from carrying heavy bags and such, but stretching for about 10 minutes before playing has really solved most of my back-pain issues.

 

[sonofelyon]

These are some really great answers. Thank you guys so much for helping me out here! And I'll continue to read more advice people have.

To answer some questions:

1. No, I have never thought about actually stretching. I'll try this when I go out over the next few days, but I'm not too optimistic about it. I live with a pretty constant lower back pain and have for years. I'll try though. Thank you!

2. I use about 12 discs to play a round, and I like to have 5 extra putters and 2 extra drivers in my bag for practice and learning purposes. I'm not sure I like the idea of doing some field work and carrying 10 discs back and forth. So the nutsak option I'm not keen on, especially as a side bag. But thank you very much for the suggestion.

3. I think the points about a cart is really good advice, but for some reason I'm self conscious about looking odd rolling the thing around. (That's pretty atypical of me too, I typically don't care about looks.) And the thought of dragging it up and down hills at waterworks KC also makes me think it'll be more a bit of a nuisance. Then again, the idea of bending over less is very appealing.

4. Thanks for the adjusting the straps advice as well, I actually JUST figured that out a few days ago, it helped a little.


Again, thanks for some really good advice, and I look forward to any more you might have.

 

[Rol6566]

These are some really great answers. Thank you guys so much for helping me out here! And I'll continue to read more advice people have.

To answer some questions:

1. No, I have never thought about actually stretching. I'll try this when I go out over the next few days, but I'm not too optimistic about it. I live with a pretty constant lower back pain and have for years. I'll try though. Thank you!

2. I use about 12 discs to play a round, and I like to have 5 extra putters and 2 extra drivers in my bag for practice and learning purposes. I'm not sure I like the idea of doing some field work and carrying 10 discs back and forth. So the nutsak option I'm not keen on, especially as a side bag. But thank you very much for the suggestion.

3. I think the points about a cart is really good advice, but for some reason I'm self conscious about looking odd rolling the thing around. (That's pretty atypical of me too, I typically don't care about looks.) And the thought of dragging it up and down hills at waterworks KC also makes me think it'll be more a bit of a nuisance. Then again, the idea of bending over less is very appealing.

4. Thanks for the adjusting the straps advice as well, I actually JUST figured that out a few days ago, it helped a little.


Again, thanks for some really good advice, and I look forward to any more you might have.

Check this out! same price as a grip bag, and you can use your current fade bag with it. and it has a built in chair!

http://www.gottagogottathrow.com/ac...ta-go-gotta-throw-go-cart-disc-golf-cart.html

 

[1Roy]

I have a GGGT Go cart and dont see myself ever carrying a bag again. I just sold my Ergo 2 since it was getting dusty sitting in my garage.

 

[ru4por]

These are some really great answers. Thank you guys so much for helping me out here! And I'll continue to read more advice people have.

To answer some questions:

3. I think the points about a cart is really good advice, but for some reason I'm self conscious about looking old rolling the thing around. (That's pretty atypical of me too, I typically don't care about looks.) And the thought of dragging it up and down hills at waterworks KC also makes me think it'll be more a bit of a nuisance. Then again, the idea of bending over less is very appealing.

Another vote for a cart. I use a GoCart, but tons of great DIY ideas. Dragging them up a hill is a pain, but no more so than any bag and the rest of the round is much easier.

 

[HeavyCritters]

These are some really great answers. Thank you guys so much for helping me out here! And I'll continue to read more advice people have.

To answer some questions:

1. No, I have never thought about actually stretching. I'll try this when I go out over the next few days, but I'm not too optimistic about it. I live with a pretty constant lower back pain and have for years. I'll try though. Thank you!

2. I use about 12 discs to play a round, and I like to have 5 extra putters and 2 extra drivers in my bag for practice and learning purposes. I'm not sure I like the idea of doing some field work and carrying 10 discs back and forth. So the nutsak option I'm not keen on, especially as a side bag. But thank you very much for the suggestion.

3. I think the points about a cart is really good advice, but for some reason I'm self conscious about looking odd rolling the thing around. (That's pretty atypical of me too, I typically don't care about looks.) And the thought of dragging it up and down hills at waterworks KC also makes me think it'll be more a bit of a nuisance. Then again, the idea of bending over less is very appealing.

4. Thanks for the adjusting the straps advice as well, I actually JUST figured that out a few days ago, it helped a little.


Again, thanks for some really good advice, and I look forward to any more you might have.

Get a Grip C14. So light and easy. I carry 14 discs in mine and its a WORLD of difference weight-wise vs my A-Series with 16 discs.

Leave the extras in the car to play around with when your round is done.

 

[Mr. Butlertron]

Get a cart, plain and simple. I've seen all sorts of configurations work pretty well as long you are playing is relatively flat course. I've seen guys use lightweight portable dollies, foldable luggage tote frames, baby strollers/ jogging stollers, and even a wagon with a cooler. Spending all day with a heavy bag in the baking sun never felt so good.

 

[cjman]

Get a Grip C14. So light and easy. I carry 14 discs in mine and its a WORLD of difference weight-wise vs my A-Series with 16 discs.

The C14 looks out of place on anyone but kids and slight frame adults. The bag looks small on my 120lb wife.

Carts are cool, maybe you haven't seen them much yet, but they're taking off. I don't think you'll get many strange looks for pulling a cart.

 

[tbird888]

I don't think you'll get many strange looks for pulling a cart.

To add to this, if a cart allows you to finish a round without pain, who cares what kind of looks you get?

 

[Aim For The Chains]

^exactly. Taking a bag on and off is the worst part of it all regardless of how heavy. Used my cart for the first time this year yesterday and now wearing a bag feels dirty.

CARTLYFE!

 

[pappabearlee]

Make or buy a cart, total game changer. I have had several surgeries on my hips knees and ankles. The cart keeps my legs fresh and has vastly improved my game by keeping the wear and tear off my broken bits. Also, its smarter to roll something than carry it. I know there is a stigma but once you try it you will be hooked.