Golf Physio, Performance & 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
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Junior, club and professional golfers
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Golfers with pain, injury or performance goals
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Active adults with knee injuries (including ACL)
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People with persistent low back pain or recurring flare-ups
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Anyone seeking a second opinion when they’re unsure about surgery or their next step
Key Areas of Interest
1. Golf Physiotherapy & Performance – Primary Focus
Most of Sam’s clinical week is spent working with golfers. He provides golf-specific physio care for:
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Back, hip, knee, shoulder, hand and wrist pain in golfers
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Return-to-golf planning after injury or surgery
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Golf physical screening (mobility, strength, power and control)
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Strength & conditioning programs to support club head speed, consistency and resilience
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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:
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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:
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Assessment and management of primary and secondary ACL injuries
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Structured non-surgical ACL rehabilitation programs
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Second opinions when you’re uncertain about surgery, re-injury risk or what to do next
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Clear explanations of imaging findings, likely prognosis and realistic return-to-sport options
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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:
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Persistent or recurring pain (e.g. low back, knee, neck, shoulder)
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Pain that hasn’t settled despite previous physio, chiro, massage or injections
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Confusing or worrying scan reports and mixed messages from different providers
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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:
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Skilled hands-on treatment
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Targeted, progressive exercise and strength & conditioning
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Straightforward education around pain, imaging and injury
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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 & Qualifications
Outside the clinic, Sam is heavily involved in golf at an international level:
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Head of Classification – International Golf Federation (IGF)
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Consultant Physiotherapist – Golf Australia
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National Eligibility Assessor – EDGA (golf for people with disability)
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Developed the first IPC-compliant Classification code (Minimum Impairment Criteria and Sport Class rules) ahead of Golf’s Paralympic bid for Brisbane 2032
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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:
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Master of Physiotherapy – Griffith University
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Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science – Griffith University
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Level 1 Strength & Conditioning Coach – ASCA
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Registered with AHPRA and member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)