Harper Lin
There is no right or wrong way to hold a golf club, and both left-handed and right-handed golfers can be successful. Most golf courses are designed for right-handed play, but this does not affect a golfer's opportunity to be great at the game. Determining your dominant hand is important when first playing golf, as you will likely be more comfortable swinging a golf club from the same side as your dominant hand. If you are a right-handed hitter, you will stand to the left of the plate or ball with your left hand at the bottom of the bat or club, and vice versa if you are left-handed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most common way to determine which hand to golf with | Which hand you feel you have more power with |
| Other ways to determine which hand to golf with | Which side of the plate you swing a baseball bat from; which hand you write with; which hand you hold your fork with |
| Number of left-handed golfers in North America | 5-7% |
| Number of left-handed golfers in Canada | 30% |
| Number of left-handed golfers worldwide | 12% |
| Number of left-handed golfers on the PGA Tour | 6 |
| Advantage of golfing right-handed | More club options |
| Advantage of golfing left-handed | Left-handed golf courses exist |
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What You'll Learn
Golfers should play to their dominant side
The first step in determining your dominant side is to evaluate your everyday habits. Which hand do you write with? Which hand do you use to throw a ball or swing a baseball bat? Your dominant hand in these activities will often be the same as your dominant hand in golf. If you are right-handed, you will typically stand to the left of the ball with your left hand at the bottom of the club. If you are left-handed, the opposite is true.
However, the best way to truly determine your dominant side in golf is to go out and practice swinging a club. Go to a driving range with both right and left-handed clubs and hit some balls. As a beginner, swinging the club might feel awkward at first, but one side should eventually feel more natural and comfortable. This is your dominant side.
It is important to prioritize finding your dominant side early on, as it will impact the type of clubs you purchase. Clubs are made specifically for right-handed or left-handed players, and using the wrong set can hinder your performance.
While some golfers may feel pressured to play a certain way, it is generally agreed upon that there is no advantage to being a right-handed or left-handed golfer. Both sides can be successful, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and comfort.
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It's hard to switch sides once you start
While there is no right or wrong way to play golf, it is hard to switch sides once you start. Golf form is mechanical and technical, and it can be awkward for beginners to swing the club from either side. However, one side should eventually feel more natural and comfortable.
It is generally recommended to play with your dominant side, as you will find much more success in hitting the ball with distance and accuracy. Your dominant hand can be determined by evaluating other aspects of your life, such as which hand you write with or hold a baseball bat with. If you are right-handed, you will stand to the left of the ball with your left hand at the bottom of the club, and vice versa if you are left-handed.
Some golfers have experimented with switching sides, but it can be challenging to make the transition. Jordan Spieth, for example, is left-handed but swings a golf club right-handed. He advises that whichever hand feels more powerful is the one to go with. He also emphasizes the importance of learning to swing fast and building up golf muscles when young, as control can be gained later.
Ultimately, the decision of which side to play on is a personal preference, and it is essential to prioritize comfort and feel when choosing which way to swing the club.
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Most courses are designed for right-handed play
While there is a consensus that it does not matter whether you are a left-handed or right-handed golfer, most golf courses are designed for right-handed play. This is because the overwhelming majority of golfers tend to slice their drives or hit the ball left-to-right, so many public courses put more out-of-bounds hazards on the left side to keep play moving.
Golf clubs are also made specifically for right-handed or left-handed players, and it can be backward if a left-handed golfer uses a right-handed club or vice versa. It can be challenging for left-handed golfers to find the right equipment at golf shops, and they may have to wait months for new innovations in golf equipment to become available for left-handed players.
Golfers usually decide whether to play left- or right-handed by accident, and it can be virtually impossible to go back once that decision is made. Some golfers, like Jordan Spieth, throw left-handed but swing a golf club right-handed. Spieth recommends that beginners focus on learning how to swing fast and build up their golf muscles, rather than worrying about whether they are golfing with their dominant hand.
It is important to determine your dominant hand when first playing golf to help you develop as a player. You will likely find more success in hitting the ball with distance and accuracy from your dominant side. One way to determine your dominant hand is to evaluate other parts of your life, such as which hand you write with or hold a baseball bat or fork with.
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Some say it's easier to find right-handed clubs
When it comes to golf, there is no hard and fast rule about handedness. It is a decision that golfers usually arrive at intuitively, and it can be challenging to switch once you have started playing a certain way. While it is ultimately a matter of personal preference, there are a few reasons why some say it is easier to find right-handed golf clubs.
Firstly, right-handed golf clubs are more widely available and abundant on the market. This is because the majority of golfers are right-handed, and golf courses are typically designed for right-handed play. As a result, it can be more convenient and cost-effective to purchase right-handed clubs, as there are more options to choose from and they are generally easier to find. This can be especially true for used clubs, which may be more readily available for right-handed players.
Additionally, some individuals may choose to play golf with their non-dominant hand to match the orientation of their golf clubs. For example, a left-handed person may opt to play right-handed golf if they have access to a family member's or friend's right-handed clubs. This can be a practical decision, as it eliminates the need to purchase new clubs and allows for more flexibility when borrowing or sharing equipment with others.
Furthermore, some golfers believe that playing golf with the dominant hand at the bottom of the club can provide more control and accuracy. This belief is particularly prevalent in countries like Canada, where a significant number of golfers play with their dominant hand at the bottom, even if it is their non-dominant hand. However, this is a matter of personal technique and comfort, and there is no consensus on the optimal hand orientation for golfing success.
While the availability of right-handed golf clubs may be greater, it is important to prioritize comfort and swing mechanics when choosing your golf orientation. Golfers should experiment with both left- and right-handed swings to determine which feels more natural and allows for better performance. Ultimately, the decision to use right- or left-handed clubs should be based on what works best for the individual, regardless of the availability or convenience of equipment.
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It's best to try both and see what feels comfortable
Golfers usually decide whether to play left- or right-handed by accident, and it can be very difficult to switch once you've made that decision. So, it's important to figure out which style feels most comfortable for you before you start playing.
The best way to determine your dominant hand when playing golf is to practice swinging a club. Go to a driving range with both right- and left-handed clubs and hit some balls. As a beginner, swinging the club might feel awkward at first, but one side should eventually feel smoother and more natural. Get into a proper golf stance with your feet a little more than shoulder-width apart and the ball just slightly closer to your front foot. Take your backswing, swing forward, connect with the ball, and follow through. After a few tries, it should become clear which side is dominant.
If you're still unsure, you can try evaluating other parts of your life. Determine which hand you write with, hold your fork with, or swing a baseball bat with. You will probably feel most comfortable swinging a golf club from the same side of the ball. For example, as a right-handed hitter, you will stand to the left of the plate or ball with your left hand at the bottom of the bat or club. The opposite is true if you are left-handed.
However, it's important to note that neither hand has an advantage in golf—both lefties and righties can be successful. In fact, about 12% of golfers are left-handed, and six of the professionals on the PGA Tour are left-handed. So, if you plan to take up golfing and don't know which way to swing a club, make sure you practice and try both ways to find out what is more comfortable for you. Once you find which feels best, stick with that hand.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to determine which hand is dominant is to practice swinging a club. Go to a driving range with a right and left-handed club and practice hitting the ball. One side should feel smoother and more natural than the other. You can also evaluate other parts of your life, such as which hand you write with or hold your fork with.
Most golf courses are designed for right-handed play, but there is no advantage to being a right-handed golfer over a left-handed golfer. It is up to the golfer to perform under pressure and play the best game they can.
It may be more difficult to learn to golf with your non-dominant hand, but it is not impossible. Some people choose to do this to avoid having to buy new clubs.
Jordan Spieth throws left-handed but swings a golf club right-handed. He says that whichever hand you feel you have more power with is the hand you should choose.
