Left handed golf for a right hander...is it a good idea?

[triguy]

Am a bit bored of the golf, been so for a good few months, same course / same players syndrome so thought I might have a go at playing left handed.
Like the idea of learning to play the game again and the challenge of playing a medal round in less than 100/90 whatever - depending on how well (if!) I can hit the ball.
Only real concern is, am I likely to ruin my wonderful right handed swing. Not too bothered about writing off next season nor the subs fees (they are pretty cheap).
Anyone else, other than the ambidextrous amongst us, tried this?
Once the snow clears I will give it a bash, probably about May at this rate. Need to source a some clubs though.

 

[surefire]

I know a couple of people who have gone righty to lefty or vice versa and have done OK.
In one particular case they actually rebuilt a better swing, because it was easier to start from scratch than make changes to a grooved swing.

Also not quite the same, but Phil Mickleson is actually right handed and just plays golf left handed. I think this originated from mirroring his father (a right hander) when he was younger.

 

[USER1999]

Lefties a righty, but I don't think he's swung both ways.

A mate of mine played off 9ish, broke his back, had to swap to lefty, and never got much lower than 18.

Jeez, you must be bored to even consider it.

 

[muttleee]

Also not quite the same, but Phil Mickleson is actually right handed and just plays golf left handed. I think this originated from mirroring his father (a right hander) when he was younger.

Yes that's what I've heard about Phil too. Also apparently Nick Price is a natural left hander but plays right handed because he learned using his brother's right handed clubs.

The OP might like to check out this site, which actively encourages you to try playing with your 'wrong' hand.

 

[The23rdman]

Faldo's another lefty who plays right-handed. I do too, but I'm not quite as good.

 

[Leftie]

Usually when I meet and play against a leftie who I haven't met before, I ask them if they are predominately right handed like Phil M, Mike W, myself and many many others. I would guess that at least 40/50% of them are right handed and we are all convinced that that is the correct way round to play.

For me, I feel that all the work in the swing is done by my strongest (right) side and that my left arm and hand don't really seem to be doing much. In racquet sports parlance, I play golf "back hand".

Could explain my "swing" I suppose

So, to go back to the OP, if you are right handed, give it a go - you might be surprised. If you are naturally left handed, I would suggest not bothering

 

[fundy]

When I was much younger (and better) I got bored and started to learn the game left handed in addition to being cat 1 right handed.

Got to the point where I could hit it straight quite soon but found it almost impossible to add power to the swing, partly as the left handed downswing felt like my right handed takeaway. Far too much muscle memory for me made adding power difficult. Short game, at least the very short stuff came very naturally and putting ok too.

Eventually gave up as the drills I was starting to do were counter productive to playign right handed

 

[chrisd]

I once watched Vijay Singh go through Mike Weir's bag and hit every club from the wedges to driver left handed, and, boy did he hit them straight and long!

He then went to his own bag, took out a club, turned it over and hit that left handed too!



Chris

 

[roccokj]

No one has mentioned that Tiger Woods is a natural left-hander!
I reckon give it a shot, it might keep you very interested in the game, you could bring a right-handed club with you in the bag and if you start playing shockingly bad left-handed or are behind in competition just change to right-handed!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Can't afford the lessons to learn the left handed swing as badly as I hit it right handed

 

[triguy]

Thanks,am quite bored with the game. Got the idea from playing snooker the other day, started playing left handed and found that I could play reasonably well. I have tried hitting the ball before left handed and as has been mentioned I found it difficult to impart much power, didn't seem to generate much speed in the hitting zone. Anyway will give it a blast and see if I can get it round in less than an 18 handicap. Cheers for the experiences.
Have a good Xmas and enjoy skiing on the golf course!!