There are many players on tour right now that are naturally left-handed but play golf right-handed. The primary reason is when they started, they just could not find the right (I mean left) equipment.
Full Answer
Should left-handed golfers play left handed?
Although a few people who should play left handed golf succeed by readjusting their swings to the right side, most lefties never thrive using their right hand because they’re swinging from the wrong side of the tee. Take the time to practice your swing from the left side.
Should you buy left-handed golf clubs?
Buying a well-fitted set of left handed golf clubs makes playing much easier and helps you achieve a better swing. Avoid buying those ready-made clubs from Walmart to save money. Cheap clubs can ruin your game before you even set foot on the course. Instead, contact a golf retailer that can custom fit a set of clubs specifically for you.
Can a left-handed person reverse a golf swing?
If you’re left-handed in the golf world, you’re probably accustomed to hearing golf tips and guidance and thinking to yourself “Great, but what does that mean if I’m a lefty?” From pointers about form, swing, rotation, and grip, most golfers just expect lefties to reverse it all in their mind.
What does Jordan Spieth say about being a left-handed golfer?
“If you’re talking to a young player who’s left-handed or right-handed, do you tell them to go with that hand when they start to play golf?,” the reporter asked. “You know, I throw and shoot left-handed. My dad is left-handed, my brother plays golf left-handed, and I somehow hit right-handed in baseball, and golf righty,” Spieth says.
Why do I play golf left handed?
One of the most common reasons that left-handed people play right-handed has to do with availability of clubs. Right-handed golf clubs are far more common but, thanks to the Internet, finding left-handed clubs is not nearly as difficult as it once was, no matter how limited your local sporting goods store may be.
Can a right handed person play golf left handed?
GOLF COLUMN: A number of pro golfers are right-handers playing lefty or left-handers playing righty. Quite a number of golfers playing the game of golf are right-handers playing lefty or left-handers playing righty.
Is left handed golf harder?
Is golf harder than lefties? I would have to answer yes. While it's better than it was the past 15-20 years, the sport is still more challenging for lefties. In fact, a lot of players are lefty and choose to play right handed just to make the sport easier.
Should I switch left handed golf?
The left handed golfer tends to be much more creative than the right handed player. Lefties will come up with shots that right handed players don't often think of. Many times, this has to do with the fact that left handed golfers are stronger on one side of their brain than the right handed golfer.
Why does Phil Mickelson swing left-handed?
was practicing his chipping in the back yard when his son and future six-time major champ picked up a golf club and started swinging — left-handed. The legend goes that Phil was trying to be a “mirror-image” of his right-hand swinging father, so even though he does everything else right-handed, the lefty swing stuck.
What did Phil Mickelson do to his left hand?
He learned the basics of the sport by mirroring his father's swing, which led the naturally right-handed Phil to adopt the left-handed stroke that would later lead to his nickname, “Lefty.” He won dozens of San Diego-area tournaments as a junior golfer, and he captured an unprecedented three consecutive national Junior ...
What do you call a left-handed golfer?
A lefty. A southpaw. A mollydooker. A goofy-footed goofy-golfer.
Why is DeChambeau the scientist?
Bryson DeChambeau is not your average golfer. Known as 'The Scientist' for his analytical approach to golf, DeChambeau has become the longest driver on the PGA Tour thanks to an intensive weight-gain and muscle-building programme.
Which hand is more important in golf?
left handThe left hand is a good focal point because the hands are the only parts of the body on the club. In fact, think of the back of the left hand as the clubface: If the hand stays steady, so does the face. A square face going back boosts your chances of getting back to impact square, which is the ultimate goal.
Why are most golfers right-handed?
But why are there so few left-handed golfers? There are several answers, from a lack of equipment to parents, coaches and pros encouraging young players to switch to the right side. Some lefties even feel the courses themselves are biased against them.
Is Phil Mickelson right-handed?
Although otherwise right-handed, he played golf left-handed since he learned by watching his right-handed father swing, mirroring his style. Mickelson began golf under his father's instruction before starting school.
Are there any ambidextrous golfers?
O'Grady, a right-handed player, is ambidextrous; he can also play left-handed at "scratch" level (zero handicap / par). He has previously attempted to gain status as an amateur "lefty" and pro "righty".
What to do if you have a lefty in your group?
So if you have a lefty in your group, tip your cap to him or her. They really are playing a slightly different game. And dispense with the, “You’re playing from the wrong side” jokes. We are reminded of it at every turn. It’s truer than you can ever imagine.
Who said Mama don't let your babies grow up to be lefties?
I can hear Willie Nelson now, “Mama don’t let your babies grow up to be lefties.”
Do golf shorts have a button?
Did you also know golf shorts and pants are designed for righties? It’s true. The left rear pocket is usually designed with a button, unlike the right one that is designed for a glove or scorecard to slide in. So eventually, I accidentally rip off all the back pocket buttons stuffing my glove in the pocket. Or I crush my scorecard trying to slide it in my pocket. That’s cool, too.
Is it a hindrance to play lefties?
The simple answer is: No. In fact, I’d argue it’s a hindrance. Lefties actually struggle more on the course than their right-handed counterparts.
Do lefties have more southpaws?
Sure, the lack of great lefties reflects the general scarcity of the beast. But still, if course layouts – or the game in general – favored lefties over the righties, we’d see a lot more southpaws.
Who was the first left handed golfer to win the PGA Tour?
New Zealander Bob Charles was the first left-handed player to win on the PGA tour, taking the Houston Open in 1963, and he became the first to win a major, taking the British Open the same year.
Why do lefties switch to the right side?
There are several answers, from a lack of equipment to parents, coaches and pros encouraging young players to switch to the right side. Some lefties even feel the courses themselves are biased against them.
What percentage of the population is left handed?
Lefties make up 10 to 12 percent of the population. In the golfing world, industry experts say, left-handed golfers make up about 5 to 7 percent of the North American market.
How old was Stratton when he started playing golf?
When he first took up the game at age 15, Stratton, now 44, said he resisted the teaching pro's advice to play right-handed. He and his left-handed playing brother shared their first bag of clubs because they could find only one set that was appropriate for them.
Which side of the golf course do you hit your shots on?
Since the overwhelming majority of golfers tend to slice their drives -- or hit it left-to-right -- many public courses put more out-of-bounds' hazards on the left side to keep play moving. This, of course, is exactly where left-handers who slice end up hitting their shots.
Who won the gold medal in golf in 1900?
Albert Lambert made a mark in winning the Olympic gold in golf in 1900, followed by Claude Felstead taking the Australian Open in 1909, but otherwise it's been nearly 60 years of shanks. Meanwhile, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Bobby Hulland Phil Esposito, all lefties, have become icons in other ball-striking sports.
Who was the first American golfer to win a PGA Tour event?
The first American-born golfer to win a PGA tour event was Sam Adams, who captured the 1973 Quad Cities Open (now the John Deere Classic) in Davenport, Iowa. He was standing unrecognized in the gallery last Sunday at the Masters. "I was yelling for Mike like everyone else," he said.
Who is the only left handed player to win the LPGA Tour?
The only left-handed player to ever win on the LPGA Tour was Bonnie Bryant back in 1974, and WRXers have been sharing their theories on why we don’t see more lefties currently out on tour.
Who is the longest golf driver?
Bryson DeChambeau, undoubtedly the longest driver we have ever seen on the full-time golf tour, replied with a stunned emoji and the words “Sheeeesh” after clearly being impressed with the baseball star’s swing.
What was Buzzkill's wife's golfing career?
Buzzkill: “My wife before I met her took up golf as a lefty and the teaching pro who she had lessons from had her switch to righty – that was in the ’80s. My lefty friend in the 70’s made the switch due to equipment available.”
Who is the guy that cleared the net on the PGA Tour?
Bryson himself was at TopGolf last week and showed off his monster hitting by clearing the net with a massive drive we’ve come accustomed to seeing from him on the PGA Tour.
Who is the king of driving on the PGA Tour?
Even Bryson DeChambeau, the King of driving on the PGA Tour, had to comment when seeing MLB’s Mike Trout launch a drive into orbit at a Top Golf facility.
Who stepped off the tee on the 18th hole of the Open?
Collin Morikawa had to deal with a very unexpected distraction on his final hole at the Open. Golf fans may remember Collin Morikawa stepping away from the tee on the 18th hole at last week’s Open Championship. On first thought, it seemed like the 24-year old just needed a moment to recalibrate.
Did Alvarez have a caddie?
It’s worth noting that the figures are from almost 9 years ago, and as she wrote on Twitter to accompany the breakdown, Alvarez said, “I drove to 90% of events, stayed with host families, and often didn’t have a caddie. LPGA expenses were much more.”
What happens when you play golf left handed?
When a right-handed plays golf left-handed, or vice-versa, your dominant arm becomes your lead arm, which can make it harder to release the club. “Playing the other way around will make it harder to release the club, because your lead arm is stronger,” Rowles says, citing Spieth, who plays baseball left-handed but swings a golf club right-handed, ...
Can you go back after making a decision in golf?
It’s a decision golfers usually arrive at by accident. And once you make it, it’s virtually impossible to go back. It’s one golfers give almost no thought to — if any at all — yet it arguably impacts our golf game more than anything else we will ever do throughout at any point during our golf career.
Is Phil Mickelson right handed?
There have been a number of high-profile switch-hitters over the years, with the right-handed Phil Mickelson the most notable. As GOLF Top 100 Teacher Terry Rowles explains here, there’s no right or wrong way of doing it. When a right-handed plays golf left-handed, or vice-versa, your dominant arm becomes your lead arm, which can make it harder to release the club.
Is Spieth left handed or right handed?
Rowles mentioned Spieth there, who throws left-handed but swings right- handed. He’s probably best-classed as ambidextrous, and after his opening-round, five-under 65 at Royal St. George’s, he was asked an interesting righty-lefty question: “If you’re talking to a young player who’s left-handed or right-handed, do you tell them to go with ...
The Big Picture
We should start by looking at some macro numbers. If you look at the world population, 10% of the people consider themselves left-handed. Less than 5% of the PGA tour plays golf left-handed.
Equipment Shortages
Next, we need to consider something that was almost certainly a disadvantage to the left-handed golfer 25 years ago and that is scarcity of equipment designed for southpaws. Your club selection was certainly limited as a child if you are currently a professional golfer.
Do Course Designers Play Favorites?
What about the course itself? Most golf architects are right-handed, is there something they are doing that might help a left-handed player? For most golfers, it is easier to play a dogleg that turns away from your body. To say it another way, right-handed players would prefer to play holes that go to the right.
Rolling the Rock
Finally, what about on the greens? The vast majority of players prefer putts that break towards their body. Right-handed golfers are typically more comfortable on putts that break from right to left. So, any putt that breaks from right to left, would probably be easier for the left-handed player.
Do left-handed golfers have an advantage? – Conclusion
In summary, we did not identify any reason to believe that left-handed golfers have an advantage over right-handed players. If anything, the playing field has been leveled over the last 10-15 years as golf manufacturers have started providing lefty golfers with the same equipment options as their right-handed dominant friends.
Why is golf so difficult for left handed players?
Golfing is more difficult for left-handed players because most equipment and lessons are geared to right-handers. To master the game of golf, you need to own your southpaw status and avoid trying to play like a right-handed player.
How to get better at left handed golf?
Allow the driver to do the work at a natural pace, with a slow, natural swing. With left-handed golf, you need to work on your driver at the practice range for accuracy more than distance.
How many people are left handed in golf?
About 12% of the world’s population is left-handed, and 5 to 7% of golfers are left-handed. Although a few people who should play left handed golf succeed by readjusting their swings to the right side, most lefties never thrive using their right hand because they’re swinging from the wrong side of the tee. Take the time to practice your swing ...
What is a dogleg hole in golf?
This pre-golfing study is even more critical for left-handers. Most holes on golf courses veer from the left to the right and are called dogleg holes.
How to make a golf club a slice?
Make sure the club crosses the left palm from the base of the index finger to slightly above the pinkie. Don’t move your grip closer to your fingers, as it can cause a too-fast swing, which results in a hook. If you move the grip too far into the palm, it will result in a slow swing and a slice.
How to improve your golf swing?
Take the time to practice your swing from the left side. It may be difficult to find a teacher who specializes in left-handed golf lessons, but it will significantly improve your game.
How to keep your arm in place while hitting golf balls?
Combine the width with a firm connection. The arms should stay in place during the backswing. Practice this by keeping a golf glove under your left arm while your hit balls at the range. This exercise enables you to keep your right arm extended and keep your right arm in place.
How to play golf with left hand?
Here’s how to master the left handed golf grip: 1 Start by putting your right hand on the grip. You want the grip to be more in your fingers than your palm. 2 Then, curl your right pinkie, ring, and middle fingers over the handle. If it’s more to the left, you have a “strong” grip that will favor a draw. If it’s too far to the right of the grip, you’ll likely play a fade more often than not. Try to be in the middle so it’s in a neutral position. 3 Once you have a good hold with your right hand, then add your other hand and once again, place it in your fingers not your palm. 4 Finally, roll it to the right side of the handle. This is a neutral position that will allow you to hit it straight, play a draw, and play a cut shot.
What are the disadvantages of being left handed?
The final disadvantage of being a left-handed golfer is the lack of instructors that can teach properly. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of PGA certified instructors can teach both right and left-handed players, but not all of them.
What percentage of golfers are lefties?
Did you know that according to Education and Career News, only 10% of the population are lefties? Southpaws in our sport is an even smaller percentage! According to CaddyTrek, “ Left-handed golfers make up about 5 to 7 percent of the North American market. Golf pros estimate that number being an average of 1 out of every 30 players are left-handed.”
What is the most challenging part of being a lefty?
Buying Golf Clubs. Arguably, the most challenging part of being a lefty is the equipment choices, specifically golf clubs. In 2020, there are more selections than ever before but lefties still miss out a majority of the time.
How to master left handed golf grip?
Here’s how to master the left handed golf grip: Start by putting your right hand on the grip. You want the grip to be more in your fingers than your palm. Then, curl your right pinkie, ring, and middle fingers over the handle. If it’s more to the left, you have a “strong” grip that will favor a draw.
How to play fades in golf?
If it’s too far to the right of the grip, you’ll likely play a fade more often than not. Try to be in the middle so it’s in a neutral position. Once you have a good hold with your right hand, then add your other hand and once again, place it in your fingers not your palm.
Where to tee up for a fade?
For example, if you prefer to play a fade (right to left) tee it up on the left side of the box to give yourself the most room. On the other hand, if you want to play a draw, tee it up on the right side of the tee box. This will help you start the ball on the correct line and give you plenty of room to shape shots.
