If you are a left handed golfer then congratulations. Not only do you represent about 10% of the American population, but you are also part of of an even fewer number of golf players in this sport. In this article we look at the many ways being a left-handed golf player is a rarity.
Frequent Problems for Left-Handed Golfers
We don’t want to start off on a negative note, but let’s look at some of the biggest problems left-handed golfers face. It helps to understand where some problems lie.
Club Grip
A lot of left-handed golf players tend to have a weaker grip when compared to right-handed players. This can have a severely negative impact on the player’s swing, especially for slicing. To prevent this, you can grip the club firmly by checking that your club crosses over your left palm from the center of your forefinger to just slightly over your pinkie.
Be careful not to place all of your grip on your fingers. If you do this, you may end up with a hurried swing and an awful hook. Likewise, when you move your grip more towards the palm you will most likely have a slower swing and an unwanted slice.
Not Having the Right Clubs
If there is anything that you need to get a fantastic golf swing, it would be a set of steady and reliable golf clubs. As luck may have it, shopping for left-handed golf clubs is often in short supply retailers have a very limited variety here.
This can happen especially when you go club hunting at a smaller pro shop or non-golf-specific store. Just going for the first pair of second-rate set of left-handed golf clubs can really set back your playability and overall love for the sport.
As opposed to settling with just any clubs you can find, seek advice from a professional golf dealer. They often have a huge selection of left-handed clubs or they can go as far as customizing a set of clubs specifically for your left-handed needs . This will help ensure a better swing.
Swinging with Your Right Hand
According to an article in the Washington Post, only 10 to 15 percent of the world’s population is left-handed. The average number of left-handed golf players is significantly less than this. It could very well be that this is because there is a lack of golfing gear or even good coaching for left-handed players.
A few lefties love the sport so much that they take it up as right-handed golfers. This isn’t advisable if you are a newbie. Even though there are a few golfers who can realign their swings to succeed as righties, some never seem to “get it right”. This is entirely because they are swinging from the incorrect side of the tee.
Right-Handed Instructors
One more problem for left-handed golfers, is that they seem to get lessons from right-handed coaches.
Let’s be honest, most lefties would feel more comfortable getting lessons from an instructor who is left-handed as well. In that way, learning will be a more simplified and effective experience. You might have some trouble finding a left-handed instructor.
Talking to a few resident course pros and pro shops in your area could be a good start. These are great sources for finding certain kinds of golf instructors.
Some Great Tips for Left-Handed Golfers
Now that the negative stuff is out of the way, let’s examine some practical tips for left-handed golf swinging.
Left-Handed Golf Stance
The stance and swinging methods are similar for both sides of the spectrum. The biggest difference is left- and right-handed golfers are mirror images of one another.
- A leftie’s golf stance starts by grounding the club behind the golf ball. The clubface will now be in a square position with the target.
- Hold your feet near each other as much as you can.
- Take a little step near the right with your right foot and a bigger step toward the left with the other. Your feet should now be placed at shoulder-distance away from each other. The golf ball should be somewhat ahead and inside the insole of your left foot.
- In future, if you see any source videos or illustrations about adjusting your stance and swing, just do the opposite to the alignment of your body.
Using Mirrors
While you progress in your own golf swing,it might tempt you to replicate the swinging technique of your favorite.
This way of thinking may not work for everyone, but you could discuss different techniques that you would like to put into practice. You may also use a full-body mirror, to validate your positions and movements. This is a simple and practical way you can check on your swing and get immediate feedback in the process.
Left-handed Follow Through
Left-handed players can have major benefits when they end their swinging movement with a follow through. This is one of the best indications that you have used a lot of rotation in your hips.
Always swing on the balls as this will give you all the strength and control you need while you move with your hips. Hang on, this is applicable to both right- and left-handed players. So what’s the catch here? Overlooking how important a coordinated follow through is, remains a regular occurrence in the golfing world. It doesn’t matter if the player is left or right.
However, it has been shown to be a lot more unfavorable where left-handed players are concerned. A good follow through “system” connects all of your movements as one.
As a left-handed golf player, teach your body to replicate the opposite of the normal swinging progression.
It is fairly common knowledge that an unreliable follow through position creates unpredictable, uneven shots.
A Word from Left-Handed Golfing Pros
Astonishingly only a very small percentage of PGA Tour golfers are left-handed. They have been able to lead the ranks in the face of multiple right-handed challengers. Here are some words of wisdom from these greats.
Bubba Watson
Leftie Bubba Watson has said that his ferociousness led him to victory at the Masters tournament. Watson focuses on widening his stance, staying loose, and relaxing his arms.
He also highlights correct footing, that keeps his balance and prevents him from swinging harder than needed.
Mike Weir
Having self-control over his signature move has been the most fascinating aspect of Weir’s swing. It comprised mainly of practice backswing before he follows through. This consistent technique in practicing his backswing, has landed the Canadian golf pro a throng of victories.
Phil Mickelson
Having come out at the very top of 44 pro golfing occasions, Phil Mickelson has an impressively powerful left swing.
For him, playing as a lefty has been nothing but natural. He firmly believes that an effective shot is mainly reliant on swinging only as fast as he needs to.
This is to keep control and balance in his swing.
Mickelson advocates that by putting in loads of power, the golf ball will travel remarkably far. He reiterates that keeping balance during your swing is the key factor here.
The Biggest Pro and Con of Being a Left-Handed Golfer
Being a left-handed golfer comes with both good and bad. Let’s talk about the biggest bonus and drawback of being a lefty on the fairway.
Pro: Increased Creativity
When it comes to being a great newbie left handed golfer, you must start thinking creatively. You can learn quite a bit from some of the golf heroes we have mentioned earlier. They have all been successful in finding unique ways to improve their awareness, vision, and tempo.
Look at Phil Mickelson; he managed to strike a mighty shot through a bunch of shrubbery on the 13th hole of par-5 to gain leverage for an eagle putt.
Also, Bubba Watson was able to curve his gap wedge on a10th hole of par-4, around many trees, where he was able to win the Masters tournament.
The short and long of it is that being a left handed golfer doesn’t mean that you can’t be capable of superior golfing skills.
Con: Hard Time Finding Golf Gear
The biggest con for being a left-handed player is the lack of gear available. Even though the best names on the market offer clubs for both orientations, some of the best clubs are not available for lefties. This is because most of these fantastic clubs are purposely designed for right-handed golfers.
This really sucks for left-handed golfers seeing that the space between them and right-handed players is.
Conclusion
Once again, it’s important that you adopt an approach that works in your favor. And one that you’re the most comfortable with. But what remains the same is the list of challenges that both right-handed and left-handed golfers face as far as golf grip, stance, and swing is concerned.
So it’s not that lefties face any new or special hurdles. The only challenge that presents itself is finding proper golfing equipment, mainly clubs and gloves.
