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Advantage of Left-handed Golfers Playing Right-handed

Left-handed people are no different from their right-handed counterparts when it comes to sports. However, what if the dominance of one hand affects a player’s game performance? In physical activities where hand dominance can make a difference, left-handed golfers are often seen as somewhat of a disadvantage. However, that is not always the case because disadvantages can only lead to precise adjustments that can lead to victory. In this article, we will discuss what advantages left-handed golf players can do if they try to adjust their hand dominance. Will it make a big difference in the game? Or will it simply be the left-handed player’s way of making the playing field equal?

Left-Handed Vs. Right-Handed Golf Clubs

β›³ There are a number of golf clubs a golf player can choose from, which can lead to their advantage. There are two types that involve hand dominance: the right-handed and left-handed golf club. Because right-handed golf clubs are much more common than that their left-handed counterparts, the probabilities of finding either is different. Even though there are a lot of left-handed golf clubs online, not all of them are accessible to everyone. This puts left-handed players at a disadvantage because the gear they have access to is not that diverse.

β›³ The usual kits for golf courses also commonly involve right-handed gear for players. There is no “discrimination” involved because, after all, many left-handed players train to use right-handed golf clubs. However, there are advantages of playing right-handed, and they are hard to pull off with the exact probabilities of using left-handed. Ironically, there are right-handed experts who play well with left-handed equipment. It all varies with your experience with golf and what type of gear you are comfortable with.

Victory Is In Your Hands: How Does One Hold The Golf Club?

β›³ To understand how to hand dominance can affect gameplay, we must know the golf hand placement. Firstly, the dominant hand needs to hold the club in place in the proper facing position. Afterward, the non-dominant hand will firmly hold the club near the end of its base. Finally, the dominant hand will partly touch the part of the non-dominant hand firmly.

β›³ The hold of the dominant hand is very important as it secures the club’s accuracy. It guides the club to ensure that it hits the ball properly in the right direction. Meanwhile, most of the driving force that is targeted into the ball comes from the non-dominant hand. This means that both the left and the right have very different yet equally important roles to play. A weak right hand may cause the club to miss the ball. Meanwhile, a weak left hand may lack the force needed to toss the ball into the target placement. Or at least, this is the case for right-handed players.

There are also other placements that involve this kind of hand coordination, such as:

🏌️ 10-finger or Baseball grip

It is considered the most manageable grip to pull off, especially for beginner players. It involves firmly grasping the base of the club with your ten fingers and being comparable to a “baseball” because of how the bat is held in a similar manner to this style of club handling. Despite being the most accessible form of handling, it is considered not as accurate as of the other handling techniques.

🏌️ Vardon grip

The pinkie finger of the dominant hand is placed on top of the index/middle finger of the non-dominant hand. It is usually placed in the center of the index or middle finger. The somewhat locked grip of the hands will secure the club when it is swung. A firm grip will ensure that the club is appropriately controlled and accurate to the target. However, it is not recommended for people with smaller hands or those with conditions like arthritis. Experienced players most commonly use this type of grip.

🏌️ Interlocking grip

The pinkie fingers of the two hands are interlocked within the spaces between them. This grip is commonly used for players who want more force in their swings. The interlocking grip between the two hands also secures the club in the player’s hands. However, many people may find this technique uncomfortable or even painful in some cases. This is because the tension between the two small fingers can cause straining between the joints. But expert players use this grip to remove any excess wrist movement that will affect the accuracy of their swing.

All of these grips involve the exact placement of the dominant and non-dominant hand. They are somewhat comparable to different power-ups in games, with varying other effects. This goes to show how vital hand placement really is in this game. Well, of course, the player’s comfort in any of these techniques is the most important because the player needs to be as accurate as they can when it is time to swing.

Hand Dominance Vs. Recommended Right-Handed Handling: What Is More Important?

β›³ For starters, none of them are less or more critical than that the other. The right-handed golf clubs are made to become more customized for accuracy and good swinging. However, this becomes useless if the player is not comfortable with right-handed playing. Both of them are important factors to consider when it comes to determining if you should play right-handed golf while being left-handed. Are you comfortable with your right hand even though you are a lefty? Or will you try to stick with left-handed golf clubs?

β›³ As long as the player can adequately hold their club, this is not much of an issue. However, left-handed players may find it more challenging to keep up with right-handed players unless you are one of those expert golf players who can pull it off properly despite being right-handed.

Only 12% Of Golf Players Are Left-Handed: How Does This Number Affect Golf?

The world of golf is kind of harsh towards left-handed players:

  • The instructions, as mentioned above, are more customized for right-handed players.
  • Like we previously said, it is very hard to find the proper equipment for you.
  • Your gear is very limited to yourself only.
  • You do not have the accessibility of borrowing from right-handed players.

So what does this all mean? Do you have to be forced to play right-handed? Well, the answer can be “yes.” This will take a fair amount of perseverance and effort, but fortunately, the rewards will be worth it. This is because some players have discovered that left-handed golf players have an advantage. Granted, they need to invest a lot of time in order to learn proper right-handed golf club handling. But there is an accessible part of their left-handed nature that usually lacks in right-handed players.

Left-Handed Golf Players Have A Secret Weapon: The Advantage Of Left-Handed Players Playing Right-Handed

β›³ Remember when we mentioned that the left hand is mainly used for force in right-handed clubs? Well, that means that they can control the strength of their swing much better than that right-handed people. All they have to start working on is their accuracy and the role of the right hand. They can master eye and hand coordination much efficiently in the long run than right-handed people. They can have the ability to apply the proper force needed to land the ball as accurately as possible.

β›³ This is why some right-handed players go for left-handed clubs. They somewhat reverse the effects of the left-handed people in right-handed clubs. Since in left-handed clubs, the right hand is the one controlling the force, the result is the same. Left-handed people might be less common in golf, but they come with a secret weapon that comes with skill.

β›³ Another minor advantage is if they are teaching golf to other people. Their movements can be mirrored by otherwise right-handed players (which are more common). So they can easily become tutors for many people without the inconvenience of the mirroring stance because the mirroring stance in right-handed is quite natural for them.

Every Advantage Has A Twin Disadvantage: Disadvantages Of Being A Left-Handed Golf Player

🏌️ The First Part Will Be Very Challenging

You should never expect a skill, mainly a sport, to be instantly easy for you. Especially if you are left-handed in golf because it is going to take time to practice right-handed clubs, the journey will still be memorable, though, so just enjoy the painful process. Then, at the right time, left-handed people will be able to play golf the way they want to.

🏌️ The Course Is Designed For You Guessed It: Right-Handed Players

There is no doubt that golf is made for right-handed players, which is bad news for some people. The layout of the course is designed for right-handed players in almost every instance. This means that left-handed players have to wrap their heads around the course before the game. With enough experience, however, this will stop becoming an issue. However, it is still a notable disadvantage to left-handed players who are starting out, especially if they are not trained enough to adjust to playing right-handed clubs.

🏌️ Instructors During Your Harsh Times In The Game Of Golf

So you got an instructor? That is good news, but are they suited for left-handed players? There is no doubt that most experienced instructors have experience with left-handed players. But for those who are new, they are going to have a hard time with their trainees. Even if you are going to play right-handed as a lefty, you and your instructor will have a hard time at first. It gets better, but you might not learn as quickly as usual right-handed players.

Left-Handed Players Are The Artists Of Golf: How Players Adjust To Reverse Courses

β›³ Left-handed players will have to be imaginative and creative when it comes to usual courses. They have to visualize and plan out how they will go through the course. It is similar to how right-handed people write in the left hand; it can be very frustrating. This is why left-handed players are considered the respectable artists of golf. They tend to be creative with their techniques and deserve appreciation for their efforts. So, if you are a left-handed player, remember that your efforts are notable and worth mentioning.

There are even certain online and physical groups that support left-handed players. They have different techniques as well, so be sure to browse the internet for these several groups. Some of these techniques and tips include:

  1. Observing and mentally planning out the course before the game.
  2. Practicing at the course before the actual game.
  3. Being consistent with the stance that you are comfortable with.
  4. Mastering visualization and using the strategy that has the most odds when it comes to accuracy.
  5. Most importantly, persevere and enjoy the process.

Players Are Meant To Have Fun: One Thing Worth Remembering

Being a left-handed golf player indeed has a bunch of disadvantages. But despite that, you will eventually find your own style of play through enough time and effort. Give yourself enough time to determine what kind of play you are going for. If you are not having fun in the game, you can always find other means that can work for you. Even the most expert players have their own bizarre styles of play, so don’t be afraid to find your own.

Left-handed golf players have their own advantage and disadvantages in the game. The disadvantages may outweigh the edge, but they can be removed as time passes by. Players will have a tough time looking for appropriate gear, courses, and even instructors that will suit their needs. Needless to say, left-handed people are the minority in the world of golf, and they have to work hard to get the upper hand. Being left-handed is not by choice and not a trait someone can easily change or adjust to because it is natural. But at the end of the day, all players are equal and have their own styles of play. It does not really matter if they are common or not; if it works, it works, and it can lead to their victory.