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Should you golf left-handed?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 21, 2026

As GOLF Top 100 Teacher Terry Rowles explains here, there's no right or wrong way of doing it. When a right-handed plays golf left-handed, or vice-versa, your dominant arm becomes your lead arm, which can make it harder to release the club.

Is it better to be left-handed in golf?

Determining your dominant hand when first playing golf is important in helping to develop as a player. Neither hand has an advantage in the game--both lefties and righties are successful. You will find much more success hitting the ball for distance and accuracy from your dominant side.

Should left-handed people play golf right-handed?

The dominant brain: Whether left-handed or right-handed, one of your brain hemispheres is more dominant than the other. Again, choosing a side to play golf based on your dominant brain is not unanimous. Either way, you will need them both to hit every golf shot.

Is it harder to play golf left-handed?

Is the Game of Golf More Difficult for Left-Handed Players? Unfortunately, it is harder. But not because being a lefty means failing to approach the game the right way. It's mainly because left-hand orientations golf clubs, gloves, and other gear are much more difficult to come across.

Do golfers need left-handed clubs?

Golf clubs are specifically designed for right- and left-handed players. When you purchase your first set of clubs, therefore, right-handed players should ask for right-handed clubs.

39 related questions found

Which hand should dominate in the golf swing?

The left-hand dominant golf swing is known to be very powerful, and it will help correct some misses golfers have in their game. If you are a player who wants power and you like the classic methods of pulling the golf club through your swing, then left-hand dominance is the right idea for you.

How do you hold a golf club if you are left-handed?

Wrap your fingers around the club so that "V" formed by your thumb and forefinger point to your left shoulder. Your thumb should point down the grip, just to the left of center. Position your hand at least a quarter-inch from the top of the grip.

Why are there no lefty golf clubs?

But why are there so few left-handed golfers? There are several answers, from a lack of equipment to parents, coaches and pros encouraging young players to switch to the right side. Some lefties even feel the courses themselves are biased against them.

How many pro golfers are left-handed?

But within the world of golf, that number gets even smaller, as only about 5 percent of the PGA Tour is left-handed. Despite the small number of lefties that have played at golf's highest level, they have made a big impact on the sport, accounting for 82 PGA Tour victories and 9 major championships.

Why do left-handed golfers slice?

A weak grip, one that is turned counter-clockwise (clockwise for left-handed players) can cause the clubface to open when the ball is struck, which can cause a slice. To avoid this, try turning the grip a bit to the right (left for left-handed golfers), which will help strengthen the grip.

How do left handers swing their drivers?

Instructions

  1. Tee the ball up high. ...
  2. Line up with your right shoulder facing the target. ...
  3. Play the ball about two ball lengths closer to your front foot than your back foot. ...
  4. Slow down your swing. ...
  5. Go to the driving range and work on your driver--not necessarily for distance but for accuracy.

Who is the best left-handed golfer?

Let's see who the 10 best left-handed players in golf history are.

  • Mike Weir. 8 of 10.
  • Bob Charles. 7 of 10. ...
  • Steve Flesch. 6 of 10. ...
  • Russ Cochran. 5 of 10. ...
  • Eric Axley. 4 of 10. ...
  • Ted Potter Jr. 3 of 10. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images. ...
  • Sam Adams. 2 of 10. PGA Tour Wins: 1 (1973 Quad Cities Open) ...
  • Nick O'Hern. 1 of 10. Matt King/Getty Images. ...

Does Jordan Spieth throw left-handed?

Jordan Spieth

He plays golf right-handed, as we all know, but growing up he played baseball as a lefty and even shoots a basketball with his left hand.

What country has the most left-handed golfers?

It's widely acknowledged that Canada has the highest proportion of left-handed golfers in the world, although the specific proportion is hard to pin down: the Professional Golfers' Association pegged it at seven per cent in 2010, and some anecdotal numbers run as high as 30 per cent.

Why did Phil Mickelson learn to play golf left-handed?

He learned the basics of the sport by mirroring his father's swing, which led the naturally right-handed Phil to adopt the left-handed stroke that would later lead to his nickname, “Lefty.” He won dozens of San Diego-area tournaments as a junior golfer, and he captured an unprecedented three consecutive national Junior ...

What percentage of people are left-handed?

Research suggests that between ten and twelve percent of the world's population is left-handed and even though being left handed might mean struggling with right-handed scissors from time-to-time, there are plenty of reasons being a lefty is pretty cool.

How do left handers play golf?

Left Handed Golf Tips

  1. Start by putting your right hand on the grip. ...
  2. Then, curl your right pinkie, ring, and middle fingers over the handle. ...
  3. 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.
  4. Finally, roll it to the right side of the handle.

How can you tell if a golf club is left-handed?

If you place a right-handed club head on a flat surface, with the bottom of the club head laying flat on the surface and the club face directed toward you, the hosel (the portion of the club head that attaches to the shaft) will be angled to the right. In a left-handed club, the hosel will be angled to the left.

Does Phil Mickelson have a strong grip?

Like the majority of pros, he favors the overlapping style. His hands are rotated a touch to the left on the handle, which is a slightly strong position for a southpaw. This grip allows Mickelson to swing freely, with plenty of wrist hinge, but it's not so strong that he has to constantly fight off a hook.

Which hand controls the clubface?

The left hand (the right for southpaws), is responsible for the rotational movement of the golf club, which, in turn, controls the direction of the clubface.

Do you pull down on the golf swing?

Pull Down. As your arms and hands start into the downswing, it is important to imagine pulling the butt of the club straight down toward the ground. This keeps your hands ahead of the clubhead – often referred to as "lag" – and keeps the power you've built up on the right side of the ball.

How do you strengthen your left arm for golf?

Hold the squeezed position for two seconds and slowly release during a four-second count. Slowly release the contraction and repeat for up to two sets of ten repetitions. A second helpful exercise for keeping a straight, firm left arm during the swing is a “Downward Arm Pull”.

Are there any ambidextrous golfers?

A man known for his legendary tough workout routines is also a regular on the golf course.

Which golfer has the nickname the Mad Scientist?

With his U.S. Open victory he became the third player to have won those three championships, after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, and the sixth player to win both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open. Renowned for his analytical and scientific approaches to the sport, DeChambeau has acquired the nickname of "The Scientist".

Is Phil Mickelson right-handed?

Although otherwise right-handed, he played golf left-handed since he learned by watching his right-handed father swing, mirroring his style. Mickelson began golf under his father's instruction before starting school.