Barrow Neurological Foundation hosted the inaugural Barrow Open golf tournament, raising $1 million to establish the Sports Biomechanics Spine Laboratory at Barrow Neurological Institute. Chaired by Foundation Board Trustee Laurie Carson and presented by PXG with special support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, the Barrow Open took place in February 2025 at the iconic TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course.
More than 60 donors, participants, and sponsors contributed to the creation of this first-of-its-kind research lab, which will initially focus on studying the biomechanics of the modern golf swing.
The Science Behind the Swing
Approximately 55% of professional golfers and 35% of amateur golfers experience sport-related back injuries. Their number one question: When can I get back to my game?
However, there is little evidence-based research on the exact cause of golfers’ back pain, how to best treat it, and when it will be safe to return to play. Through philanthropic support, Barrow is changing this paradigm.
Led by neurosurgeon Randall Porter, MD, and physiatrist and interventional spine specialist Scott Kreiner, MD, the Sports Biomechanics Spine Lab will develop innovative treatment and science-backed guidelines to help golfers return to their sport by:
- Studying the biomechanics of the modern golf swing to determine a link with degenerative damage to lumbar discs in the spine
- Conducting pre- and post-injury research on professional and amateur athletes
- Collecting data on golfers before and after spine surgery
The Lab will emphasize collaboration with golfers at all levels, utilizing state-of-the-art analytic equipment to evaluate the biomechanics of their swing and whether it contributes to back pain. Over time, the team will create a database differentiating healthy and hurtful swings for further investigation.
