Golf physio, performance and non-surgical ACL injury rehab
Sam Taylor is a Physiotherapist and Golf Physio at Caloundra Sportscare on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. He helps golfers and active adults stay on course – from juniors and club golfers through to touring professionals and people managing knee or back pain.
His primary focus is golf physiotherapy and performance, with additional expertise in non-surgical ACL injury management and complex pain or injury second opinions.
Who Sam works with
- Junior, club and professional golfers
- Golfers with pain, injury or performance goals
- Active adults with knee injuries (including ACL)
- People with persistent low back pain or recurring flare-ups
- Anyone seeking a second opinion when they’re unsure about surgery or their next step
Key areas of interest
1. Golf physiotherapy and performance – primary focus
Most of Sam’s clinical week is spent working with golfers. He provides golf-specific physio care for:
- Back, hip, knee, shoulder, hand and wrist pain in golfers
- Return-to-golf planning after injury or surgery
- Golf physical screening (mobility, strength, power and control)
- Strength & conditioning programs to support club head speed, consistency and resilience
- Practical advice on warm-up, load management and tournament scheduling
Sam works closely with respected coaching environments, so your physio and your swing changes stay aligned. This includes collaboration with:
- Grant Field – coach to Open Champion Cameron Smith, Head Coach for Golf Queensland and the Queensland Academy of Sport, and a multiple-time PGA Coach of the Year (High Performance)
- Bailey Arnott – Head PGA Professional at Caloundra Golf Course with a strong focus on junior development and game improvement
This close link between physio and coaching means your plan is built around your swing, your goals and your practice schedule – rather than being treated in isolation.
2. Non-Surgical ACL Assessment & Management
Alongside golf, Sam has developed expertise in non-surgical ACL injury management and rehab-first pathways.
He helps with:
- Assessment and management of primary and secondary ACL injuries
- Structured non-surgical ACL rehabilitation programs
- Second opinions when you’re uncertain about surgery, re-injury risk or what to do next
- Clear explanations of imaging findings, likely prognosis and realistic return-to-sport options
- Long-term knee health strategies built around strength, load management and confidence in movement
3. Complex Pain & Injury Second Opinions – Modern Pain Science Expertise
Sam also works with people who feel “stuck” with ongoing or confusing pain:
- Persistent or recurring pain (e.g. low back, knee, neck, shoulder)
- Pain that hasn’t settled despite previous physio, chiro, massage or injections
- Confusing or worrying scan reports and mixed messages from different providers
- Second opinions when you’re unsure about surgery, injections or what to try next
Using modern pain science, Sam looks at tissue load, strength, lifestyle factors, stress and nervous system sensitivity – not just a single structure on a scan. Rehab plans are step-by-step, focused on confidence, strength and function, rather than relying on short-term or passive treatments alone.
What to expect in a session
Sam’s overall focus is on clear diagnosis, non-surgical management where appropriate, and long-term solutions rather than quick fixes.
Sessions may include:
- Skilled hands-on treatment
- Targeted, progressive exercise and strength & conditioning
- Straightforward education around pain, imaging and injury
- A psychologically informed approach that considers stress, confidence and fear of movement
The aim is to make rehab clear, achievable and directly relevant to your golf and everyday life.
Roles, experience and qualifications
Outside the clinic, Sam is heavily involved in golf at an international level:
- Head of Classification – International Golf Federation (IGF)
- Consultant Physiotherapist – Golf Australia
- National Eligibility Assessor – EDGA (golf for people with disability)
- Developed the first IPC-compliant Classification code (Minimum Impairment Criteria and Sport Class rules) ahead of Golf’s Paralympic bid for Brisbane 2032
- In the drafting stages of a journal article on a novel bracing protocol for ACL graft healing with world-leading ACL rehab researcher, Associate Professor Stephanie Filbay.
Professional background:
- Master of Physiotherapy – Griffith University
- Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science – Griffith University
- Level 1 Strength & Conditioning Coach – ASCA
- Registered with AHPRA and member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)