Left or right handed

[Acrazyfrog]

I started to play this summer then had to stop for 4 months due to injury. I had one lesson at the time with a PGA pro to get me started but nothing serious. I play left handed (I write and do most things right handed).
As I cannot do a swing anymore and really want to learn seriously this time, I went back for my first lesson with the same guy who after several minutes asked me to try right handed. He told me that my swing/posture looks a lot more natural if I do it right handed and I should play right handed.
It feels extremely unnatural and I am not sure what to do. I could do nice straight swings (100 yards I know it is short but I am a woman and beginner) playing left handed 4 months ago. Shouldn't I give it more time and try to correct my posture and all bad habits left handed or follow his advice.
Could it be that the guy does not feel confortable teaching somebody who plays differently from him or does it makes no difference at all?
Apology if I do not make complete sense but English is not my first language
Thank you

[Mr_Change]

Re: Left or right handed

Since you do everything else right handed, you probly should give swinging right handed a go. About feeling natural well a golf swing isn't natural anyway. You have at least giving yourself the best chance by having a lesson to start.

[Dnamixup]

Re: Left or right handed

Im the oppisite i right and every thing left handed but i play golf right handed! but when i asked my pro he said it dosent really matter to much

[gord962]

Re: Left or right handed

I know some instructors have difficulty teaching left handed players. None of the instructors I know would ever try to change somebody from left handed to right handed unless they thought it was a definite advantage to their student.

I am a right handed player and I thought playing left handed was VERY awkward. Since I started giving lessons, I have become much more comfortable swinging left handed. When I am giving a lesson I line up face to face with my student and we go through drills and positions as if I am a mirror image of them. I now have a beautiful left handed swing because I am going through the positions and drills left handed! My point is that if you practice, you will learn to hit the ball right handed. It's good because you have no bad habbits to un-learn if you have never golfed right handed!!!

[LowPost42]

Re: Left or right handed

I think Gord is right - your instructor shouldn't be trying to switch your natural side... unless you've never played a sport before, and don't have a dominant side.

[Glen549]

Re: Left or right handed

My wife and I are both left handed. But we both play right handed.
As do most leftys we learn to do things with which ever hand the product fits right (or left) and always wonder if it is the correct hand.

[Acrazyfrog]

Re: Left or right handed

Thanks you all for your advices. I will carry on practising both sides and have a good talk with my instructor to make sure that he is not just uncomfortable teaching me. As Gord962 said I have no habit to un-learn if I try right handed so it could be an advantage. However learning as a mirror image might make it easier for me to pick up. The next few months will tell.
Thanks again

[Dnamixup]

Re: Left or right handed

Im like glenn, when i first picked up a golf club it was right handed even tho i was lefthanded, then i just started swinging like that :S its the same with cricket i also hold the bat right handed

[malletgrl]

Re: Left or right handed

I started off playing Left-handed, because at sports i tend to do things Left-Dominated. After about a year of playing, my teacher had me play righthanded.


One recomondation about switching is to spend A LOT of time on your short game. Thats the hardest part to make a switch.

Remember....practice, practice, practice.



Good Luck!

[bonzi_532]

Re: Left or right handed

When I first played, up until last year, i could hit better left handed, but fairly decent right handed. My clubs were of course left handed and on my golf team i would challenge some of the players that i could beat them with their clubs. Often times I could either tie or win. Now that all my focus has gone into my left handed game, I cant hit a ball right handed worth a lick. My switching was due to switch hitting in baseball! Practice left handed if it is natural for you to swing that way.