Left hander playing rightie

[daddymack]

Is that an advantage because my strong hand is used for pulling?

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by daddymack

Is that an advantage because my strong hand is used for pulling?

I'm left handed but play righty. Be careful with the strong left hand, it can lead to some pretty nasty pulls and pull hooks. One of our other members, (obagain) pointed out a while back that you should be pushing with the right shoulder rather than pulling with the left on the downswing. After a little practice, I've decided that was pretty good advice.

FWIW, I've been told by a few people, (all right handed) that playing right handed is an advantage for leftys but who knows. I've asked every one who's told me that why they don't play left handed and no one has had an answer.

[Bravo]

I don't know if it can help or not...The primary part of the "pulling" as you described it is with the left side of the body and the upper left arm (if you play right handed).

I am right handed and play that way. My triceps on my left arm are definitely bigger than the triceps on my right arm. This is from leading with my left side for so long.

I think your body will react regardless of which side you play from.

I have a left handed friend who has played right handed for years. He is not noted for his power - even though he is swinging with "his dominant side"...

Weirdly though - when it comes time to putt - he putts left handed.

Really freaks people out who play with him for the first time...

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by Bravo

I have a left handed friend who has played right handed for years. He is not noted for his power - even though he is swinging with "his dominant side"...

Weirdly though - when it comes time to putt - he putts left handed.

Really freaks people out who play with him for the first time...

I played left handed for a while but continued to putt right handed. Same reaction from people as your friend gets.

One true advantage is having the ability to turn a club upside down and take a left handed swing when needed. Saved par last week by chipping a ball left handed with a 7 iron that had nestled up against a tree.

[Lamma]

I once had a golf instructor (I'm very reluctant to refer to him as a "pro" anymore) talk me into playing right handed. He gave me all kinds of reasons as to why but what really put me over the top was that he was a natural lefty who played right handed.


At first progress was rapid but if I didn't practice every single day-and I mean every single day, my swing would deteriorate massively. After 8 months things were going farther and farther downhill and by 12 months I called it quits and went back to being a lefty. Then I quit the game for almost two years.

I think any advantages that any golfer has depends on the hole and the type of shot any given player is capable of making. How's that for specific?

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by DaveE

I played left handed for a while but continued to putt right handed. Same reaction from people as your friend gets.

One true advantage is having the ability to turn a club upside down and take a left handed swing when needed. Saved par last week by chipping a ball left handed with a 7 iron that had nestled up against a tree.

Yes my friend can do this at the drop of a hat...I've seen it a dozen times..

I think that players like him and yourself however - have a fairly good bit of sincere ambidexterity...You can do quite a few things from both sides.

If I had to rely on doing anything left handed - I'd be toast...

[wirehair]

I can think of one thing I do equally well either righty or lefty. [wink wink]