Left handed golf?

[golf_bug]

Here's a poser.....

Do you think that if you started playing golf again from this point forward, but switched to a left handed stance (for right handed golfers, opposite for any lefties obviously!) you would end up with a better swing a year down the line? Or do you think you would simply map your current bad swing habits (if you have any) to the opposite stance?

 

[jammydodger]

hmmmm interesting question , It's hard to imagine being able to play as well left handed but with a concentrated effort who knows.

I dont think i'd be as good cos I havnt shown any tendencies towards being ambidextrous in the slightest

 

[mono217]

Me and my mate (whos left handed) swap sets for a round hes got an excellent right handed swing and i have a good right handed one i shot a 99 left handed he shot 91 right handed.

 

[TonyN]

I think in the time it took you to get used to, and groove a half decent swing, you could probably get better through lessons grooving in swing changes to your current swing.

Sorry but I dont feel it would be worth the time or effort. If you have the ability to swing well, its not going to be done with your opposite hand/side etc.

 

[Herbie]

I play a few shots L/handed, usually the back of a 5 iron, sometimes I can hit it really well but what I do know is that I will never be as good playing left handed as I am playing right handed, it would take just too many years of adjustment and brain training let alone body training and even then it might not be as good.

 

[jammydodger]

I've just remembered the bloke who used to play both ways...Brian Close the cricketer

He was a right handed batter and played gold right handed too , I'm pretty sure he was scratch h/c.

He was reputed to have played left handed too and was a 2 h/capper playing that way...Amazing

The story goes that him and a mate would have a set of l/h and r/h clubs between them and play alternate holes left and right handed.

 

[golf_bug]

I was just wondering whether you would benefit from learning to swing a golf club all over again, but with the benefit of the knowledge you have accumilated since you've been playing.

 

[TonyN]

Even if you did, it would be better to do it all over again, but with your dominant side IMO.

 

[golf_bug]

But don't you think your old habits would still remain?
By switching sides you may have more change of engraving a more 'correct' swing into your muscle memory.

Not saying I would ever do it....I have a hard enough time swiging the damn thing with my right hand!

 

[TonyN]

No, I think I would have tendancies to do the same but on the opposite side, I get what your saying and the theory your after, but I think, If I had the time and money I could rebuild a whole new swing. I have gone through a big swing change since I took up the game and it took months to get right.

 

[rgs]

In my youth i played pitch & putt left handed, i still putt left handed. It comes in handy to get out of trouble.

Reckon i could still hit a 8 iron left handed not too sure i could hit anything lower. Its all to do with playing hurling for close to 30 years, a game where you need to hit the ball off both sides.
Pal of mine, a left hander, used to carry a 5 iron right handed and could hit it 120 yds to get out of trouble.

Our local Pro plays left handed but plays to 1 as a right hander.

 

[Imurg]

Slightly related -

Years ago when I played cricket, I could play a better forward defensive shot left-handed than right. The bat was straighter and at a better angle. Also my off drive was better. Maybe this was because I was doing it properly rather than "my" way..

So it could work in the golf swing - but I'm buggered if I'm going to find out if it works or not!

 

[CrapHacker]

But don't you think your old habits would still remain?
By switching sides you may have more change of engraving a more 'correct' swing into your muscle memory.

Not saying I would ever do it....I have a hard enough time swiging the damn thing with my right hand!

But you're not beholden to your bad habits.

Lessons and practise will soon change your muscle memory, surely