If you've never had an assisted stretching session before, it helps to know roughly what to expect. While the details vary by provider, most sessions follow a similar shape.
Before the Stretching Starts
Most sessions begin with a short conversation: any areas that feel tight, whether you're playing golf that day or recovering from a round, and your general comfort level with hands-on work. This helps the practitioner decide where to focus.
During the Session
You'll typically be positioned on a table or mat, either lying down or seated depending on the stretch. The practitioner moves through the major areas that affect how you move — hips, hamstrings, shoulders, and the spine — using a mix of passive stretching (they move you) and active-assisted stretching (you engage while being guided).
Communication continues throughout. A good practitioner will regularly check in on intensity. Mild tension is normal; sharp or shooting pain is not, and is a signal to ease off.
A good assisted stretching session should feel like guided effort, not something being done to you against resistance.
How Long It Takes
Session length varies by provider and setting. See How Long Does an Assisted Stretching Session Last? for more on what typically determines that.
After the Session
Most people feel looser and notice easier movement immediately afterward. There's generally no strenuous requirement afterward — light activity, including playing golf, is typically fine, though it's worth checking with your practitioner if you have any specific concerns.