Good luck Bob. I had a big issue with my sacroilliac joints a few years ago. They don't operate on that. The best option was what they called trigger point injections of a steroid called kenalog (?sp). You can only get 3 I think either a year or in 6 months (might grow and extra nut if you overdo it , or worse , lose one of the two you got
) but anyway , it wa s amiracle cure. First one did just a little but I was still really bent and in pain. Second one a month or so later didn't have any immediate feeling of relief but after about two weeks , the dammned joint let out a crack like a branch breaking and suddenly everything was good! I guess it takes a while to let the steroids relieve the inflamation which restores some of the normal flex in the joint. it then just settled in closer to where it was supposed to be. Anyway , ask about "Trigger Point Injections".
lastly , get a good doctor and trust him. What worked for one may not work for another as the degree and type of damage can be different amongst people. If ist really nailing the nerve , he will know and best to fix it before permanent damage is done.
I never had back surgery but I have had 11 knee opperations and one hip replaces starting with the first knee surgury in 69. Now a days they get you right up and going again so usually the recovery period is remarkably fast. Be sure to ask specifically about golf too. It may be that with your specific problem golf is OK or not.
Again , good luck!