Pain in my swing

[Torque]

Yesterday, I played in my first golf outing of the year. (Yeah, I know…when they asked me what my handicap was I told them it was “a wife and three kids”).

Anyway, my swing was really off due to a nasty pain in my left shoulder. (I’m a righty). I could feel it in the front of my left shoulder at the top of my swing, particularly at the top of the swing where my left arm is extended over my right shoulder. I can easily replicate the position today and unfortunately the pain is still there. I’m concerned because I’ve banged this shoulder up many times before.

Should I be concerned, or was it just new movement pain due to my lack of playing? Does anyone have any recommendations for stretches or exercises to help alleviate the problem?

Thanks!

[Bill Hartman]

What other activities are you doing on a regular basis? Typical pressing exercises can cause tissue stiffness and/or joint mobility changes that are not very helpful to max range of motion/higher speed exercises. Also if you haven't done any form of higher speed activity for the shoulders, range of motion may be limited during the swing even if slow range of motion appears full. There could also be some instability in the left shoulder.

All these things can promote changes in joint mechanics and can result in strain, sprain, or impingement. If symptoms don't subside very quickly, get it looked at. Since you've had symptoms before, you may just want to get it checked anyway.

Until then, RICE it.

Bill

[Torque]

General activities of late have been limited to weight training and cardio. I'm normally very conservative when it comes to my shoulders, but I cover most of the basic lifts.

Luckly after a few days the pain has gone away, however that big stretch, like taking a full golf swing, still brings on that tightness in my left shoulder. I think you may be right that my range of motion is limited given my lack of play. I'll keep my eye on it however, and hopefully, I will get a few more rounds in this year to work on that range of motion.