Starting Over - Lefty to Righty

[pghbigdog]

Been playing off and on for 20 years - but a right shoulder injury is forcing me to make the switch from lefty to righty to keep playing the game.

I was a long hitter lefty - so I know that one thing that is going to happen is that my regular courses are going to look a whole lot different.

I've been trying to hone my game at the range, borrowing clubs from people before I go out and buy/build a set for myself to try and fit at least shaft flex...

I've been trying to pay special attention to the little things like grip and ball position while re-learning the swing. I still seem to top and chunk a lot more than I would hope with my irons and actually whiffed with the driver yesterday.

I'm one week into this new way of playing - Any advice from out there about making the switch?

PS: anyone in the market for a bunch of 6* to 7.5* drivers

[BrianW]

Re: Starting Over - Lefty to Righty

Jeez, good luck mate! What a challenge!

[GregJWillis]

Re: Starting Over - Lefty to Righty

One piece of advice would be to leave the long clubs in the bag for a while. Just chip for the next 1000 or so. Get the new feel of club making solid ball contact. Your hands need to relearn that good feeling and the movements they will go through.

Then you can take out the 7i-8i-9i and let them play for a few 1/2 swings. Eventually you should get back to about 80% with the rest of the clubs.

It will take quite a while to get anywhere near your full lengths again. So just know your limits and swing within your new abilities.

[Spiffo]

Re: Starting Over - Lefty to Righty

Geez, good luck fella!

Im a lefty who's plays right handed. I sometimes wonder if I would have been any better if I started off with left handed clubs.

On a bad day sometimes I think it would be worth trying left handed!

[pghbigdog]

Re: Starting Over - Lefty to Righty

Progress

I hit the range 4 times last week. Hit a ton of balls chipping, 1/2 swing, 3/4 swing and finally started to take some full swings.

Went to my local course today - couldn't resist. Par 72, 6200 yards from the tees I played from. (best score there lh was a 76)

Shot an 84 "mostly" right handed. still putted lh, but everything else rh....

My putting saved my butt today, but was hitting pretty solid. Driver was a little wild, but plenty long enough for this course and my misses were still in play. Irons into the green were straight and solid, but finding my distances were a little off. Gotta work even more on my short game...hit few wedges today, but was able to play a ton of 7 iron punches to the green.

I think I can do this!!!!!

[GregJWillis]

Re: Starting Over - Lefty to Righty

You got some serious eye-hand coordination and talent. Great job.

[Spiffo]

Re: Starting Over - Lefty to Righty

Your gonna confuse the hell out of any playing partners when they see you play rh and putt lh.

[cyc53870]

Re: Starting Over - Lefty to Righty

I would first consider if there is any chance at all of healing that shoulder injury to avoid the switch... Didja get second and third opinions from medical experts?