After I lift, I always think I play worse the next day or the day after. I understand that soreness occurs and that if you don't stretch and do trigger point work, you're gonna have rougher time with it. I do those things but I still feel that my proprioception gets knocked out of whack. Essentially my feel becomes worse and I play worse. Anyone else noticed this and what do you do to fix it or try to alleviate it? I just bought a theragun knockoff thing but am still looking for ideas I can try myself (not massages, cryofreeze, etc).

Before playing: Tons of stretching, with the intent of getting loose. Epson salt baths help. Muscle cream and Ibuprofen if exceptionally sore.

Once I’m at the course, I warm up slower than normal. I’ll hit a lot of full swing shots at like 40-70% of my max distance, just to dial in feel. Slowly work my way up. Once on the course, it’s a process of constantly ridding the body of tension and staying loose.

I'm the same, but it only lasts for two or three holes. PTM has some pretty good advice.

stretching is bad for you. Better off just warming up by doing light movements

I've been in Afghanistan since mid 2018, been home 4 times since being here, that said, I retired from the US Army in 2016 and gained the retirement weight (about 55 lbs, I know gross), since arriving here I have gotten in the best shape of my life, lost 60 lbs and started a lifting program, I am now 215 lbs with 9% BF, went home in December for our family vacation to Disney, I played Magnolia with rented clubs and did well, shot 81, happy with this since I haven't played since May 19, overall I have lost weight but gained muscle, I was a bit stiff at first, but after a nice range warm up session, I felt great on the course, we are all different, so you'll see different results from other people, in my case, it didn't hurt me at all...

Gold Season? What does that mean these days...roll on 2021.

Try incorporating a few days of yoga during your weekly schedule. It’ll do wonders for your flexibility, coordination, and mental health. It doesn’t have to be anything advanced; try finding some simple things on the internet.

Stretching in between getting loose at the range pre-round. Not sure about the other aids (epson, cream and pills) as they are only relief for symptoms of muscle strain.

Currently in that mode right now not being able to golf so going a bit harder. I wouldn't expect to be able to swing or play well a day or two after a hard session. When the season gets started I typically drop weight and work on a routine that does both a bit of flexibility and range. Usually different movements at a much slower motion as well. Still need a couple days after to have an effective round so you gotta plan your week accordingly. If you golf nearly every day or 3-4 times a week you may want to really rethink lifting at all during the season. Its just not fun to play crappy just for a couple of gains. Yoga may be worth switching to. Not done it yet but I hear great things and may start some at home stuff while being stuck at home between lifting days.

As I understand it, proprioception uses muscle spindles and golgi tendon organs as sensors to monitor the varying levels of tension in any particular part of the body. So, mapping the varying levels of tension tells the nervous system where a particular part of the body is in relation to the spine. In short, it is reasonable to suspect your proprioception is off the day after lifting. In our spine, we have something commonly referred to as the gamma feedback loop. Its job is to maintain levels of tension in our bodies (if it didn't do this, we'd fall over, as it takes a certain level of tension to stay erect during sitting, standing, walking, playing golf, etc.). When lifting weights, the gamma feedback loop resets to higher level. Unless you do something to reset it lower, it will stay where it is. That's what happens when you fail to stretch afterwards. The most effective way to reset the gamma feedback loop is through 'pandiculation', which is just a fancy way of saying "stretching while yawn". When we engage in our 'morning stretch' and yawn with it, we bypass the gamma feedback loop and go right to the brain. The brain then resets the gamma feedback loop to the lowest functional level of tension.

The 'morning stretch' is different from static stretching in that it employs the flexing of antagonistic muscles groups to both reciprocally inhibit and lengthen the muscles we're trying to stretch. If instead of static stretching you mimic the morning stretch, you will get better results faster.

Another thing to consider is the type of lifting you're doing. When I was still lifting, I found my mobility to be much better when I chose lifts with a much greater range of motion - high bar instead of low bar squats (Oly vs. powerlifter), snatch grip deficit deadlifts instead of conventional or sumo, full cleans instead of power cleans, etc. Of course, you have to deload to changeover, but for the purpose of supplementing a sport the requires mobility, it makes more sense and is well worth it.

Stretching is bad for you is the most absurd statement I've heard in my entire life.

It depends on the type of stretching. There are studies that have found a reduction of performance immediately following static stretching. Similar studies have found an increase in performance immediately following dynamic stretching (leg swings, and the like). If you watch female gymnasts, a lot of them will be doing leg swings just before an event. I've heard some bizarre stories of gymnasts sleeping in frog pose, but you don't see them doing that just before a routine.

You didn't clarify static vs. dynamic stretching in your original post.

Thank you for the absurdity abatement...

I can relate. But, am starting to give less a darn - mainly because I'm a double-handicap. If I really want to make a round more challenging I'll be sure to do heavy legs the day before. Especially if I'm walking a hilly course. Happened last week. It was two days after lots of single-leg squats (including heavy sets), dead lifts, etc. I realized that when my legs get tired near the end of the round I start turning less. I'm in my 50s, though. So, I can't complain.

Who are you talking to?

I always thought proprioception was just the sensation of body awareness. In golf terms knowing where the club is in relation to the swing or the swing itself.

Well, it is, but that's how it does it.

Ive tried many a times to play after working out but the soreness to me comes into play because the muscles dont react in the same manner

it is because you like many have been brainwashed into thinking so. Remember it was not long ago many said all type of fats were the enemy. My suggestion do some research and you will find the truth.

I too have issues with lifting in season. What I decided when the flipping gym"s reopen is to just do minimal sets of med heavy reps. For me 225 for 5 reps bench maybe 3- 5sets at the most. Maybe 2 more sets of other chest that's it. I have been doing chins and pulls and light squats with more reps . Knock my workout down to more a total body 3 times per week. Now this is on paper , normally I don't do anything but hit lots of balls, drink beer and eat too much, my normal summer workout. This yr is DIFFERENT I am going to try and keep this program even tho gyms are closed, I can workout at my work. Golf is closed right now who knows what this will bring. If you continue you can play the next day

When i was in Florida for 10 weeks i played quite a few times after hard heavy lifting workouts in the morning and was pleasantly surprised

I was a little tight to start on the range but I was warm at least

.... for me anyways ... hardest would be lifting 6 at night and then playing 7am next morning

I always play better after lifting. I'm pissed the gym is closed right now.

Sore from lifting = I have a better lag/looseness to my swing

When I'm 'healed' I'm very tight and deliberate.