Which side?

[WiPutter]

Writing from snowy Wisconsin. I have been golfing for about 16 years off and on. What I've been struggling with for a long time is which side of the ball should I hit from? I've tried both left and right 2x each and can't find a definitive answer. I do everything left handed( write, eat, cast a fishing pole, bowhunt) except bat in baseball. I am currently using lefty clubs now, but am wondering if I'm limiting myself? Control of the ball is equal for both sides, my drives are horrible for both, right to left slice/hook and my distance is about the same, although the set I'm currently using is undershafted. Wondering if you have any insight?

[Patch]

I always wondered what my game would have been like if I golfed left handed. (I am right handed)

The idea of my dominant, stronger side pulling the club through the impact zone always intriqued me. 

Playing baseball I hit from both sides of the plate with equal ability. I can putt pretty well from the left hand side, even though it feels awkward.

I tried swinging from the left hand side several months ago. That endeavor was more for medical reasons than anything else. Tried it for a month. 

It all goes back to what is most comfortable for me. Comfort breeds consistency, which helps with lower scores. 

[WiPutter]

  On 4/14/2018 at 4:00 PM, Patch said:

 

The idea of my dominant, stronger side pulling the club through the impact zone always intriqued me. 

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That is my exact thought to going back to lefty 2 years ago after golfing right for 4 years. I've been battling a Hook for awhile and I thought maybe I'd have more control going to my dominant side. This will be my 3rd season with my lefty clubs and I'm not sure I'm ready to give up, but the frustration of not improvement is getting to me.

[billchao]

  On 4/14/2018 at 4:06 PM, WiPutter said:

That is my exact thought to going back to lefty 2 years ago after golfing right for 4 years. I've been battling a Hook for awhile and I thought maybe I'd have more control going to my dominant side. This will be my 3rd season with my lefty clubs and I'm not sure I'm ready to give up, but the frustration of not improvement is getting to me.

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Golf is hard no matter what side of the ball you stand on. I suggest you pick one side and stick with it. Alternating back and forth is probably not helping your improvement at all.

[fishgolf]

I just spent this past winter season trying to figure out this same question for my wife.  She is left handed, but can swing acceptably from both sides.  While testing out some new/used drivers in Tempe for myself, I asked the fitting Pro if he could tell which side would be better for her to swing from.  His conclusion, after several times left and right, was "not really certain". 

Then while at a Ping Demo I asked that Pro for the same help.  What he soon picked up on is that she more naturally holds/grips the club as a right hand swing and felt that she made a more consistent follow through from that side.  The good news from this is that finding her a good set of starter clubs became significantly easier. 

If you haven't done so, get with a reputable teaching pro for some lessons and see what he/she thinks.

[dennyjones]

It's easier to find right handed clubs when replacing your current set.  

[The Hook Meister]

If you are still playing baseball go left handed, you can really mess up your golf swing. In baseball your swing has to be level, in golf the swing is totally different. When I was young my baseball swing  really had a bad effect on my golf swing. I kept pulling my golf shots because half way thru the swing it would end up a baseball swing. When my baseball days were over my golf swing improved a lot. It is easier to find right handed clubs however.

[WiPutter]

Haven't played competitive baseball in over 15 years. But I see your point. I swung on the right side because the pewee coach couldn't pitch to a lefty and he was afraid to hit me. From them on I batted right through my HS years. Looking back I think I was just easier to coach all righty batters. Feeling my lefty set is the right choice. 

[iacas]

If you honestly feel it's the same either way, I'd swing from the side that puts your dominant eye on the target side of the ball rather than toward the back.

[mcanadiens]

Glad I don't have that problem. The only thing my left is good for is wiping my butt after a No. 2. 

[shooter]

I'm right hand dominant ( write and throw w my right hand) but play golf and hockey using left hand equipment. Mainly because I played hockey with a left handed stick for many years before I ever learned to golf. When I did start going to the range I would rent out left and right handed clubs the first couple of times but I never felt comfortable using right handed clubs because i was used to the feeling of having my dominant (strong) hand on top of the stick, so when I finally took up the game it felt very natural to grip the club the same way as a hockey stick.

I don't feel like I "pull" the club thru impact with my dominant side. It actually feels like I'm trying to get my lead side out of the way the so my hands and club have room.  I have heard in the past that using your dominant hand on the top of the club will result in more control at the expense of power. Not true, in my case, I have no problem with distance and my short game is my strength. 

I will say that my hockey buddies that took up the game using right handed equipment, but played hockey left, never got very good at gilf. Maybe can bang a good drive during a round but score always in the high 90s. 

Stick to what's comfortable and mainly stick to one side. Going back and forth between what side to play from is a recipe for disaster.

[Pepsivanilla93]

I would go right, simply because buying golf clubs will be more plentiful and cheaper, both sides considered equal. You won't have to flip the mats around at the range, almost all products are default right handed, etc. I play hockey left handed and golf right.

[dennyjones]

  On 4/15/2018 at 9:54 PM, Pepsivanilla93 said:

I play hockey left handed and golf right.

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as do I.

[NM Golf]

My buddy is left handed and says the biggest problem with playing left handed is the lack of demo clubs, and just clubs in general. So I would go right handed if it didn't make a difference in your game for that reason alone.

[RussUK]

  On 4/14/2018 at 6:10 PM, dennyjones said:

It's easier to find right handed clubs when replacing your current set.  

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True, but you can find some real savings on lefty clubs when you do find them. Think as they are harder to shift the price has to reflect this.