Sometimes, not always, I will get a severe , stabbing pain at the base of my left thumb (near the wrist) somewhere near transition from backswing to downswing. I cannot hold the club or even think about the shot; I just quit and usually hit a dribbler. The area will ache like a toothache for awhile, and be sore for days. I played yesterday, and had only one painful episode (on the range warming up). Today, my wrist is sore at the thumb base area. I wore a brace all day at work (seemed to help). Has anyone ever heard of this? Any suggestions would be welcomed...thanks.
Sometimes, not always, I will get a severe , stabbing pain at the base of my left thumb (near the wrist) somewhere near transition from backswing to downswing. IAny suggestions would be welcomed...thanks.
Sounds to me like an improper Grip or an improper Wristcock or both. I'd need to see your Left Hand Grip and real-time (not posed) Top position to comment further.
Sometimes, not always, I will get a severe, stabbing pain at the base of my left thumb (near the wrist)
I have similar symptoms (left thumb only) which my doctor diagnosed as basal joint arthritis. If the cartilage coating the ends of the bones wears out, bone starts to rub against bone and arthritis results. Incorrect technique or maybe just too much of a good thing.
Do you use a 'long' thumb or a 'short' thumb in your left hand grip?
Defnitely a long thumb but I may have overdone it as I often hit hundreds of balls daily over the last 10 years.
In addition to being Cocked (a Vertical Motion) at the Top, is your Left Wrist also Arched (a Horizontal Motion)? Combined with the Long Thumb, that could put a great deal of stress on the Left Wrist during the Lag Loading at Start Down.
dss, I agree with Yoday, like I wouldn't, that you might want to look at the combination wrist cock,arched, and long thumb combination and begin to renegotiate your grip a little. As strav suggested, there is a possibility that joint inflammation has just caught up with you but it is also likely you could turn this around. First of all I would suggest looking at the range of motion that you have in your wrists both vertically and horizonally. If you can see any loss then you are in a vulnerable position for potential inflammatory conditions. This doesn't have to be permanent. Certainly there are supplements on the market that can help with the tissue trama but you could also improve your wrist flexibility and eliminate the opportunity for the condition as you refine your grip.
I will post some wrist exercises for the purpose of addressing the possibility of wrist deterioration even though I think Yoda is offering the most specific solution. Still it is going to be necessary to look at the symptoms and try to create a better foundation for your mechanical adjustments. These exercises were posted on a previous post and I will paste them for you here. Let's continue to look at your grip. Vickie
Wrist Curls
Sit with your forearms supported fully by your thighs. Elbow up on thigh, wrist joint on knee.
Yes this means you will be hunched over.
Holding a dumbbell in each hand, allow your wrists to stretch so that your knuckles drop toward the floor. don't let your elbow lift off your leg.
Now curl your knuckles up as vertically as you can without taking the very top of your wrist off your knee.
Move in each direction very slowly and deliberately creating the greatest flex and extension you can without forcing or grimmicing.
Repeat 10 on each hand either simultaneously or alternatively depending on your ability to focus.
Don't be surprised if one wrist is more flexible than the other or that they behave slightly differently. This will all correct with the work.
Reverse Wrist Curl
Sit as in the Wrist Curl excep that your palms are facing downward.
Flex you wrist to lift the weight and expose your palm outward.
Again, move in each direction very slowly and deliberately creating the greatest flex and extension you can without forcing or grimmicing.
Repeat 10 on each hand either simultaneously or alternatively depending on your ability to focus.
Don't be surprised if one wrist is more flexible than the other or that they behave slightly differently. This will all correct with the work.
Lateral Wrists
Holding the same or less weight, sit as you would in the Wrist Curl.
Make your wrists nutral and move them deliberately to the left and then to the right.
Again, move in each direction very slowly and deliberately creating the greatest flex and extension you can without forcing or grimmicing.
Repeat 10 on each hand either simultaneously or alternatively depending on your ability to focus.
Don't be surprised if one wrist is more flexible than the other or that they behave slightly differently. This will all correct with the work.
* Don't be tempted to do this standing as it can put some inappropriate tension on the elbow and even the shoulder as your full focus in on your wrists.
Finally there are some simple isometric movements that really help with wrist endurance. Many people will tell me their wrists feel strong in the beginning but they loose strength as the game, and their energy usage progress. Be sure and hold these positions for 15-60 seconds with the best form you can muster. Less time with good form will insure that you progress to the 60 second stage with no soreness or new discomforts.
Wrist flexor stretch
Extend affected arm forward with palm up and elbow straight. Place fingers and palm of opposite hand across palm and fingers of the extended hand and draw back with it until a stretch is felt in the forearm. Hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds then relax for 3 to 5 seconds. Perform this exercise 10 times.
Wrist extensor stretch
Extend affected arm forward with palm down, elbow straight, and fingers slightly curled. Grasp the affected side hand with other hand and draw affected side hand down until stretch is felt in the forearm. Hold this position from 3 to 5 seconds then relax for 3 to 5 seconds. Perform this exercise 10 times.
Pronation/Suppination stretch
Extend affected arm forward in a hand-shaking position with palm facing up. Slowly rotate the hand from a palm-up position to a palm-down position. Hold for 3 to 5 seconds and then rotate back. Perform this exercise 10 times. When you work your way up to strength training, you may use a small weight while rotating the hand and wrist.
Wow- thanks for all the replies! Yoda, I'm a short thumber, and always have been. My grip has been modeled after Mr. Hogan's; however, my left hand is stronger than his, but just a little. For years I was plagued by a double wrist cock, but since working with Tom T. and now Alex Sloan, those days are gone. My mother had arthritis in her fingers, so perhaps this is just a heredity thing. But, thanks to all for the info and suggestions- it is greatly appreciated. Now, if VJ can just get back online, maybe he can help me with my putting woes!!! LOL
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