How much shoulder range of motion is required for a proper golf swing? I am thinking of patients who are status post left shoulder replacement and are trying to return to golf.
Answer
If we are talking about backswing, for right-handed golfers, the right shoulder will comfortably need a minimum of 70 degrees of external rotation. For follow through, they will need about the same in the left shoulder. The closer they can be to 90 degrees the better. As a practitioner, this is where knowing your client's limitations and where you think you can get them comes into play. If they are an avid golfer and want to get back to the game, they could shorten their backswing a little, and sometimes they can abbreviate their follow-through.
Maurie Steinley, PT, DSc, SCS
Maurie received his physical therapy degree from the University of North Dakota in 1989 and his Doctor of Science in Sports Specialty Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2002. Maurie has spent the majority of his career in outpatient orthopedics. He has trained with the Titliest Performance Institute and enjoys helping golfers get back on the course.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/rehabilitating-the-injured-golfer-2975Rehabilitating the Injured GolferThis course will review golf injuries, common injury inducing swing mechanics, and physical limitations associated with swing faults. This course will also provide golf specific rehabilitation concepts and exercises including why they will benefit the golfer. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT, PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
This course will review golf injuries, common injury inducing swing mechanics, and physical limitations associated with swing faults. This course will also provide golf specific rehabilitation concepts and exercises including why they will benefit the golfer. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT, PTA and AT.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/swimmer-s-shoulder-concepts-treatment-3048The Swimmer's Shoulder: Concepts of TreatmentThis course will discuss the swimming strokes and their effect on the swimmer’s shoulder as well as common physical limitations related to a swimmer’s shoulder. Evaluation and treatment with an emphasis on the scapula will be presented. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
'The instructor was very knowledgeable and experienced, explained the subject matter clearly and extensively, with good references to scientific studies'Read Reviews
This course will discuss the swimming strokes and their effect on the swimmer’s shoulder as well as common physical limitations related to a swimmer’s shoulder. Evaluation and treatment with an emphasis on the scapula will be presented. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA and AT.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/clinical-use-reformer-for-lower-3329Clinical Use of the Reformer for the Lower BodyThe reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the lower body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing lower extremity rehab from ankle injury, to post-op knees, to hip pain. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This course is part three of our four part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
The reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the lower body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing lower extremity rehab from ankle injury, to post-op knees, to hip pain. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This course is part three of our four part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/complex-and-chronic-impairment-in-4353Complex and Chronic Impairment in ConcussionThis webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
This webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/clinical-use-reformer-for-upper-3330Clinical Use of the Reformer for the Upper BodyA reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the upper body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing upper extremity rehab from scapular control to glenohumeral stability, to fully-integrated shoulder girdle training. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This is part four of our four-part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
A reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the upper body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing upper extremity rehab from scapular control to glenohumeral stability, to fully-integrated shoulder girdle training. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This is part four of our four-part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.