The Dilemma

[leftcoastsrt04]

I have golfed Left handed all my life. I have spent a pretty good chunk of change on my equipment. But after finding out I am a right handed putter, I decided to pick up some right handed clubs just to try it out. It doesn't feel natural but I fear that with some practice, it will. I have decided not to pursue practicing right handed for the fear of being better than left. I have a lot invested in my left handed game and don't want to abandon it all. Any ideas? Anyone go through the same thing?

[catfell]

My regular playing partner is right handed, plays hockey as a left shot, plays golf righty but putts better lefty, so he has a left handed putter.

It always freaks out people we get paired up with.

If it feels better- do it.

[jamo]

  catfell said:

My regular playing partner is right handed, plays hockey as a left shot, plays golf righty but putts better lefty, so he has a left handed putter.

Wow, I play hockey (the few times I do play hockey) lefty, but I'm a righty and I golf righty, but I'm considering putting lefty. I probably wont, but I at least want to buy a lefty putter. I've posted this before, and i think Leftcoastsrt04 commented on it or something, but I decided to post it again.

I think you should go for it. get a righty wedge and a 7 iron or something and try it a few times. If you are better righty, sell the lefty clubs, and you'll play better righty. If you are a better lefty, well sell the wedge and 7 iron.

[clubchamp]

I do everything right handed but golf left handed. I even swung a baseball bat right handed in little league (now strictly lefty). I can swing a golf club right handed ok but not at all consistent. I would say that you switching to right handed would be like starting all over and you might end up better as a righty but I doubt it. My dad taught me to golf lefty because he was sold on Jack's theory of leading with your stronger arm. I also believe Mickelson is a righty plus his swing looks great righty.

[WUTiger]

If you are a natural lefty and switch to right-handed golf, you would be pulling through the shots with your dominant hand-side. Also, clubs would be easier to find.

When I was in college, my friends and I would go bowling after Friday night movies. I bowled left-handed, with the idea of trying to build up strength and dexterity for golf in my nondominant (left) side. It helped me straighten out my driver, but it was not enough to propel me onto the PGA tour.

[natp0wers]

  leftcoastsrt04 said:

I have golfed Left handed all my life. I have spent a pretty good chunk of change on my equipment. But after finding out I am a right handed putter, I decided to pick up some right handed clubs just to try it out. It doesn't feel natural but I fear that with some practice, it will. I have decided not to pursue practicing right handed for the fear of being better than left. I have a lot invested in my left handed game and don't want to abandon it all. Any ideas? Anyone go through the same thing?

Buy used right handed clubs... if it turns out you are better as a righty, then sell your lefty clubs and use that money to buy some nice new right handed clubs.

[saevel25]

I play with a guy who hits shots right handed and putts lefthanded... I would say, play which way you think you can play best with.

[killerduck]

Dexterity is one of those mind boggling algorithms that may never be truly figured out.

For me, when I do something one-handed, it's right handed. Write, throw, bowl (cricket), tennis, day-to-day stuff.
When I do something two-handed, it's left handed. Golf, batting (cricket/baseball).
Another uncanny part of my dexterity is that I'm a naturally left handed guitarist, but I play right because that's how I learnt from the beginning.
I'm also a left-footed kick.

Picture if you will, my younger brother, who is exactly the same as me apart from - he's a right handed guitarist, and a right-footed kicker.

Baffling.

Yet, I can sorta hit a golf ball right handed (with a bit of fade) and I can putt REALLY well right handed with a left hand low grip.

BTW, An old guy I know played off of 8 right handed, screwed his back up, came back as a lefty and played off of 8.... What a champion!

[PaddyHarrington]

I have the same but opposite problem,I play right handed,and I am right handed in everything I do,but I played with a left handed golf partner a few weeks ago and played a few shots with his left handed clubs and I hit the ball great...
I don't know what to do either

[James_Black]

I can hit the ball further left handed than right handed but I don't want to change clubs.

[Taggsy]

This is an interesting topic.
I think the reason people are surprised how well they can strike the ball with their weaker side is down to the concept of hitting and swinging.
Most of us who have taken up golf as adults will power our swings with our stronger side. Using our muscles and predominantly right arm (if right handed) to "hit" the ball.
However, if you change sides, you're no longer able to power the swing in that way. Instead, you now pull the club with your right hand towards the ball.
With this technique you're no longer controlling the release of the club into the back of the ball with your strength. you allow the centrifugal force of the swing to release the clubhead through the ball.

If this style takes your fancy, then you could change all your clubs for left handed, or you could make an effort to power the swing with your left hand, pulling the club towards the ball with little input from the right hand.