By: Mark E on June 22, 2020, 6:32 p.m.
Hi Tyler
Can you describe your thoughts on the movement of the left and right scapula in the swing? Should the scapulas be retracted at address?
I have seen teachings where both scapula should be retracted at address and during the swing but this seems to restrict motion to me.
Also the movement of the scapulas In transition is of interest.
Thanks
By: Tyler F on June 27, 2020, 1:07 p.m.
+Mark E Hey Mark, The movement of the scapula is a little tricky. It's currently nearly impossible to measure, so we have to rely on our observations and intuition. What I like to see is:
Lead: backswing, slight protraction/rotation, Downswing, more protraction as the rib cage leaves it behind. Through impact can be either strong retraction or very little depending on how the golfer releases the club and braces.
Trail: Slight retraction during the backswing, more retraction during the downswing, slight protraction through the later part of the release. The timing depends more on the club length. Later for longer clubs.
I'm not a huge proponent of both scaps retracted at set up, but it can be fine for some.
Here's a good video of Dustin, watch his lead scap in transition :)
By: Joey L on Nov. 27, 2025, 10:09 p.m.
Hey Tyler I'm a bit confused about "slight protraction through the later part of the release. The timing depends more on the club length. Later for longer clubs." In some recent videos that I forget I think you mentioned wanting the trail scapula staying in retraction basically "the whole swing" (maybe I'm misremembering), but my understanding is that the wipe is the protraction of the shoulder blades around the rib cage? Wouldn't that be in transition into the release?
Maybe things got mixed up. I think there was some ambiguity about protraction and elevation and some of the pairing between the protraction/retraction with depression/elevation.
By: Tyler F on Dec. 6, 2025, 8:14 a.m.
Hi Joey,
I agree with you that describing the shoulder blade movement is tricky. It's easy in gym exercises and testing to isolate each movement, but they are often blended in practice. the goal of the wipe is to engage the abs and serratus anterior to move the rib cage and arm. As opposed to using more the pec as the dominant engine. The serratus anterior pulls the scapula forward when acting concentrically, but I think it activates eccentrically and isometrically with the rhomboid in transition to stretch the sling before contraction. So many golfers do better feeling like it's back the whole time, but in reality, it would be difficult to do.
Happy golfing,
Tyler
