Switching Handedness?

[FlyTheW]

So I'm 20 years old and have been golfing a decent amount for about 3 years now. Like most beginners, I started out awful. But I have progressed somewhat and worked my way closer to an "average" golfer. But throughout my time playing, my irons have always given me the most trouble. I always struggled to get solid contact and flight on my hits, and the best solution I could find was changing my swing. I developed a straight back, slower and longer sweeping motion for a swing. The swing isn't ideal, I wasn't striking down towards the ball. It was instead more of a lifting motion, similar to a drive. But I became somewhat consistent with it and it acted as a temporary fix to improve my scores. Then I finally upgraded my irons, and I knew that with my current swing my game would never improve to where I wanted it to.

I have been working on a new more natural swing since June, but have struggled mightily. I get the downward strike that I'm looking for, and when I make solid contact, the distance and control are much improved over my old swing. However, I can only achieve solid contact about one in every five swings. My issue: hitting behind the ball. I have tried everything. I've tried loading early on my back leg to ensure I'm using my lower body, and finishing through to my front foot. I've done a few different things to create additional lag in my swing. I go to the range at least twice a week and nothing I do changes the fact that I'm making contact with the ground one to two inches behind the ball instead of after the ball. I've even tried reverting back to my old swing, because I could at least play consistent golf that way, and I can't even do that anymore. I am at a crossroads on what to try next because nothing is seaming to work, meanwhile it's embarrassing just trying to finish a round. 

The only other thing I can think of is whether or not I should consider trying to golf left handed. The reason I am suggesting this is because even though I am right handed dominant, I have always swung things left handed. Whether it be hockey or baseball, I was much more comfortable swinging lefty. The reason I golf right handed is just because whenever I wanted to learn as a kid I could only practice with clubs available to me, and I didn't even know anyone with a set of lefty clubs, so I just taught myself how to play right handed. I'm wondering if I tried out a cheap lefty set that my ability to make consistent contact might improve. Any advice would be great at this point. Whether it be similar experience or just additional things I could do to improve my chances of striking the ball properly.     

[14ledo81]

First off, Welcome to TST!!

I don't think you need to try to switch hands.  Your swing can be worked on "as is".

Start a "my swing" thread, and post a video of your current swing.  You will get some ideas.  

Based solely off of what you posted above, you may want to try "loading early" on your front leg.  This can help to ensure you have your weight forward at impact.  To much weight back is one of the main causes of fat shots.

[Patch]

Switching to a left handed swing has some merit, but it is a really tough change to make. I speak from expirience, having tried it my self last year for a while. However since you are comfortable in other sports swinging left handed, perhaps the change might work for you. 

I wouldn't go out and buy a complete  set of left handed clubs. I would suggest you purchase a couple of used left handed clubs to start with. 

Another thing I might suggest is to do a search and read up on "fat shots". Their many causes and cures. It's my opinion when a person researches, and solves a problem on their own, they retain the cure much longer. 

Maybe put together a working note book on your golfing journey that fits in your bag. One that you can use as helpful information later on, when past problems show up again. Trust me they will show up again. 

[FlyTheW]

17 hours ago, 14ledo81 said:

First off, Welcome to TST!!

I don't think you need to try to switch hands.  Your swing can be worked on "as is".

Start a "my swing" thread, and post a video of your current swing.  You will get some ideas.  

Based solely off of what you posted above, you may want to try "loading early" on your front leg.  This can help to ensure you have your weight forward at impact.  To much weight back is one of the main causes of fat shots.

 

17 hours ago, Patch said:

Switching to a left handed swing has some merit, but it is a really tough change to make. I speak from expirience, having tried it my self last year for a while. However since you are comfortable in other sports swinging left handed, perhaps the change might work for you. 

I wouldn't go out and buy a complete  set of left handed clubs. I would suggest you purchase a couple of used left handed clubs to start with. 

Another thing I might suggest is to do a search and read up on "fat shots". Their many causes and cures. It's my opinion when a person researches, and solves a problem on their own, they retain the cure much longer. 

Maybe put together a working note book on your golfing journey that fits in your bag. One that you can use as helpful information later on, when past problems show up again. Trust me they will show up again. 

Thanks to the both of you, some nice advice. I will probably purchase a few used lefty irons eventually just to give it a shot. But in the mean time I will keep working on minimizing the fat shots. My swing has come a long way so I don't want to just abandon it, I will keep working on it. However, if the lefty clubs are a good fit for me, I will keep my drives right handed (I've made a ton of progress with my drives and am pretty happy with the swing). Just thought that might be a little comical and worth mentioning. Has anyone ever played with someone who drives one way and hits their irons the other?