Left-handed Golf Tips

The Blessing And The Curse Of Lefty Golf

If you’re a left-handed golfer, you probably have a different experience of the game than right-handed players. This usually happens for a few reasons.

Firstly, an overwhelming amount of instructional content is designed for right-handed players. If you’re a lefty, you have to adjust the instructions to make them work for your swing. If you’re new to the sport, this is easier said than done.

The second reason is that most equipment is geared toward right-handed players, which does make sense as an overwhelming majority of players are right-handed. That being said, there are more options for lefties than ever before.

According to Education and Career News, only 10% of the population are lefties. Southpaw golfers are an even smaller percentage.

Left-handed golfers make up about 5 to 7% of the North American market. Golf pros estimate that number being an average of 1 out of every 30 players are left-handed.

While there are some disadvantages to being a lefty in a world where most golfers are righty, there are some advantages as well. One big advantage is increased creativity and imagination. Think of Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson. Both are known for their insane creativity to hit shots that most golfers simply can’t pull off. Specifically, they seem to make magic at Augusta National. Just think about Phil hitting his miraculous shot through the trees from the pine straw on the Par-5 13th to set up an eagle putt. Or Bubba curving a gap wedge 40 years around several magnolia trees on the Par-4 10th hole to win the Masters. Studies have found individuals who are left-handed score higher when it comes to creativity, imagination, daydreaming and intuition. They’re also better at rhythm and visualization. So if you’re a lefty, you are more likely to have more intuition and creativity to see shots that some right-handed players might not see. In a sport where your imagination is needed day in and day out, this is a huge advantage over fellow players.

While there are some perks of standing on the other side of the ball, unfortunately there are more disadvantages. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still become a great player. Here are some tips for improving grip and stance.

Here’s how to make the left-handed golf grip:

•Start by putting your right hand on the grip. You want the grip to be more in your fingers than your palm.

•Then curl your right pinkie, ring and middle fingers over the handle. If it’s more to the left, you have a strong grip that will favor a draw. If it’s too far to the right of the grip, you’ll likely play a fade more often than not. Try to be in the middle so it’s in a neutral position.

•Once you have a good hold with your right hand, then add your other hand and once again, place it in your fingers, not your palm. •Finally, roll it to the right side of the handle. This is a neutral position that will allow you to hit it straight, play a draw and play a cut shot.

Golf Stance for Lefties:

While a solid grip is necessary, don’t forget about your stance and alignment either. So much happens before you ever swing your club. If you aren’t aimed properly, you will make all kinds of corrections to adjust accordingly.

Whether you’re right-handed or left-handed, master your stance so you can set yourself up for success. This means having your feet, hips and shoulders in line with your intended target. If one of those is off, it can wreak havoc on your full swing.