Trail Arm Mobility

[mikerod]

I've been considering maintaining more structure in my trail arm, specifically during the backswing lately. What I have found is that this seems to make it more consistent to stay on plane and not let the hands get stuck behind the body in the downswing.

 

I see it mentioned often that the trail shoulder needs a certain level of mobility etc. I have worked on this and think it is ok, but I want to know if others can relate to this sensation I get now.

 

When I feel that I maintain the trail arm structure going into the backswing, I have to ensure the arm continues to externally rotate and forearms somewhat supinate. I can do this ok, but the thing I have noticed is that I feel my muscles in the right arm sort of burning throughout this movement. It feels like a deep stretch through the bicep a little perhaps and all the way up into the should muscles themselves. Doing it for a while can be a bit tiring feeling, like the muscle is not used to be working through this sort of range.

 

I'm curious if this is a "good thing" / normal and my  trail arm is just tight and needs more mobility work - or is this the wrong idea, and there shouldn't be this sort of "loading/stretching" feeling happening in the trail arm at all?

[boogielicious]

4 minutes ago, mikerod said:

I've been considering maintaining more structure in my trail arm, specifically during the backswing lately. What I have found is that this seems to make it more consistent to stay on plane and not let the hands get stuck behind the body in the downswing.

 

I see it mentioned often that the trail shoulder needs a certain level of mobility etc. I have worked on this and think it is ok, but I want to know if others can relate to this sensation I get now.

 

When I feel that I maintain the trail arm structure going into the backswing, I have to ensure the arm continues to externally rotate and forearms somewhat supinate. I can do this ok, but the thing I have noticed is that I feel my muscles in the right arm sort of burning throughout this movement. It feels like a deep stretch through the bicep a little perhaps and all the way up into the should muscles themselves. Doing it for a while can be a bit tiring feeling, like the muscle is not used to be working through this sort of range.

 

I'm curious if this is a "good thing" / normal and my  trail arm is just tight and needs more mobility work - or is this the wrong idea, and there shouldn't be this sort of "loading/stretching" feeling happening in the trail arm at all?

Welcome to The Sand Trap! I don’t think you want to strain the trail arm and shoulder, but you do want to maintain width in the backswing so that during the downswing, the trail elbow can work out and in front of your torso. Below is a thread that discussed this. Try it out and see if it has less strain.

 

[mikerod]

48 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

Welcome to The Sand Trap! I don’t think you want to strain the trail arm and shoulder, but you do want to maintain width in the backswing so that during the downswing, the trail elbow can work out and in front of your torso. Below is a thread that discussed this. Try it out and see if it has less strain.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I read the post and I do like it. The thing to me is though that if my right arm is straighter and avoiding bending I feel that is the same sort of thing that causes it to feel like it’s a big stretch. Hmm.  

[billchao]

4 hours ago, mikerod said:

I've been considering maintaining more structure in my trail arm, specifically during the backswing lately. What I have found is that this seems to make it more consistent to stay on plane and not let the hands get stuck behind the body in the downswing.

 

I see it mentioned often that the trail shoulder needs a certain level of mobility etc. I have worked on this and think it is ok, but I want to know if others can relate to this sensation I get now.

 

When I feel that I maintain the trail arm structure going into the backswing, I have to ensure the arm continues to externally rotate and forearms somewhat supinate. I can do this ok, but the thing I have noticed is that I feel my muscles in the right arm sort of burning throughout this movement. It feels like a deep stretch through the bicep a little perhaps and all the way up into the should muscles themselves. Doing it for a while can be a bit tiring feeling, like the muscle is not used to be working through this sort of range.

 

I'm curious if this is a "good thing" / normal and my  trail arm is just tight and needs more mobility work - or is this the wrong idea, and there shouldn't be this sort of "loading/stretching" feeling happening in the trail arm at all?

Without seeing your swing, I kind of feel like you’re overdoing it. It’s not like you’re pitching a baseball or something. If you can hold a cup of water in your palm at about shoulder level in front of you, you have enough mobility.