Harper Lin
Tiger Woods is a professional golfer with an extensive list of accolades, including 15 Major titles and 82 PGA Tour wins. In a sport where left-handed players are few and far between, Woods' dominance as a right-handed golfer is even more impressive. However, Woods is no stranger to left-handed shots, having famously used an inverted club to escape a tricky situation at the Masters in 2024. While Woods primarily plays right-handed, his ability to adapt and execute left-handed shots showcases his versatility as a golfer. This versatility, combined with his unwavering dedication to the sport, has solidified his legacy as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Handedness | Right-handed |
| Career | 27 years |
| Number of PGA Tour wins | 82 |
| Number of Major titles | 15 |
| Number of tournaments won | Over 100 |
| Year of career start | 1996 |
| Last played | 2024 Open Championship |
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What You'll Learn
Tiger Woods is not left-handed
While Woods is right-handed, there is an interesting story about how he came to use his right hand for golf. In a story shared by his late father, Earl Woods, it was revealed that a toddler Woods initially showed signs of being left-handed. Earl, an army veteran, noticed that his son imitated his left-handed golf swing, leading him to believe that Woods was a lefty. However, Woods quickly made the switch to the right side after observing his father's constant right-handed swing.
This decision to switch to right-handed golf proved to be profitable for Woods, as he went on to achieve numerous victories and became one of the greatest golfers of all time. It is worth noting that, despite being right-handed, Woods has demonstrated his versatility on the course by occasionally taking left-handed shots with a right-handed club. This adaptability showcases his exceptional skills and understanding of the game.
Although Woods primarily plays golf right-handed, his ability to adapt and execute left-handed shots showcases his talent and feel for the game. His success and influence have inspired and impacted golfers worldwide, regardless of their handedness. Woods' dominance in the sport has left an indelible mark on the golfing world, solidifying his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
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He plays golf right-handed
Tiger Woods is a right-handed golfer. In an interview with CBS in 2010, Woods stated that his "feel all comes in [his] right hand". He added that "I just think that, for me, I roll the ball right-handed; I'm right-handed".
Woods's preference for his right hand is also reflected in his putting style. In the same interview, he explained that his right hand is his "power hand", which is the hand he uses to putt. This is in contrast to other golfers, such as his friend Steve Stricker, who putts with his left hand.
Despite being right-handed, Woods has been seen taking left-handed shots with a right-handed club. In one instance at the Masters, Woods took a left-handed shot with an inverted club to get out of a difficult situation, stroking the ball back into the fairway and saving par on the hole.
Woods's father, Earl Woods, recalled a story from when Woods was a toddler, where he initially showed signs of being left-handed. Earl observed that Woods would mimic his father's right-handed swing, and within two weeks, the toddler had switched to a right-handed stance.
Woods's decision to switch to a right-handed stance at a young age has proven profitable, as he has gone on to become one of the most successful golfers of all time, with 15 Major titles and over 100 tournament wins.
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He once took a left-handed shot at the Masters
Tiger Woods is not a left-handed golfer. In an interview with CBS in 2010, Woods stated that his "'feel' all comes in [his] right hand." He added, "I just think that, for me, I roll the ball right-handed; I'm right-handed."
However, in an interesting turn of events at the Masters in 2024, Woods took a left-handed shot. With his ball sitting next to a tree, he had no chance to hit it out as he normally would. So, Woods decided to take the shot from a lefty stance with his club inverted. He stroked the ball back into the fairway and ended up saving par on the hole.
This incident is particularly intriguing because Woods is known to be a right-handed golfer. In fact, he has emphasized the importance of his right hand in his game. In a 2010 interview, he revealed that his "feel" comes from his right hand, which is his "'power hand'."
Despite being a right-handed golfer, Woods has demonstrated his versatility and adaptability on the golf course by taking a successful left-handed shot when faced with a challenging situation. This showcases his skill and ability to think on his feet, even if it is not his typical stance or style of play.
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He was a lefty as a toddler
Tiger Woods is not a left-handed golfer. However, the legendary golfer was a lefty as a toddler. In a story shared by his late father, Earl Woods, the details of Tiger switching from playing with his left hand to his right were revealed. Earl Woods, an army veteran, was one of the reasons Tiger chose the sport of golf. While still a toddler, Tiger's decision to use his left hand instead of his right worried his father. Earl recalled a moment in their garage when he realised his son was left-handed: "I unstrapped him out of his high chair and let him walk free. He walked over and got his putter and went over and set up just like I did. And then I realized, oh my God, he is left-handed."
Earl's constant right-handed swing influenced little Tiger to switch to the right side. Earl recalled, "It took him two weeks to figure out daddy's not on this side, he's on the other side. So in the middle of a swing, he just stopped and walked around and set up right-handed." This moment made Earl believe that Tiger had a bright future in golf. He said, "This is when I knew I had something special."
Tiger Woods, a 15-time Major winner, has emphasised the importance of his father in his successful career. While Tiger made the switch from left to right at a young age, his biggest opponent, Phil Mickelson, is left-handed. This already enticing rivalry would have been even spicier if Tiger had remained a lefty. Despite the switch, Tiger has enjoyed remarkable success on the PGA Tour, winning over 100 tournaments since turning professional in 1996.
Although he is not a left-handed golfer, there are instances of Tiger Woods playing left-handed shots with a right-handed club. In one such instance at the Masters, Woods found himself in a difficult position with the ball sitting right next to a tree. He decided to take the shot from a lefty stance with his club inverted, and he stroked the ball back into the fairway, saving par on the hole.
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His father influenced his switch to right-handedness
Tiger Woods is a right-handed golfer. However, the legendary golfer was not always right-handed. In fact, as a toddler, Tiger Woods was left-handed, but his father, Earl Woods, an army veteran, noticed his son's left-handedness and encouraged him to switch to using his right hand. Earl Woods, who was also a golfer, noticed that his son was mirroring the way he held his putter, and this prompted him to make the switch to right-handedness.
Earl Woods played a significant role in his son's illustrious golf career. In a garage, Earl unstrapped his toddler son from a high chair and let him walk over to a putter. Earl then realized that his son was left-handed when he saw him mimic his own left-handed stance. Earl's influence on his son's golf game was profound, and this incident marked the beginning of Tiger's transition to right-handedness.
Earl Woods' influence on his son's hand preference became evident when, after constantly watching his father swing right-handed, Tiger decided to switch to the right side as well. Earl recalled that it only took his son two weeks to figure out that he needed to switch to the other side. This pivotal moment in Tiger's development as a golfer demonstrates the impact that a parent can have on a child's sporting career.
While it is uncommon for left-handed people to master golf with their left hand, it is not unheard of. Tiger's biggest opponent, Phil Mickelson, is a left-handed golfer. However, Tiger's decision to switch to right-handedness proved profitable, as he went on to achieve remarkable success in the sport, with 15 Major titles and 82 PGA Tour wins. Tiger Woods has attributed his success to his right hand, which he considers his "power hand."
In conclusion, while Tiger Woods is known for his right-handed golf swing and his preference for using his right hand as his "power hand," his father, Earl Woods, played a pivotal role in influencing his switch from left-handedness to right-handedness at a young age. This switch may have contributed to his numerous wins and successful career as a right-handed golfer.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Tiger Woods is not left-handed. In an interview with CBS in 2010, Woods stated that his "feel all comes in [his] right hand." He also added that he rolls the ball better with his right hand.
Yes, in 2012, Woods played a left-handed shot with a right-handed club. In 2024, at The Masters, Woods took a left-handed stance with his club inverted to get out of a difficult situation.
Earl Woods, Tiger Woods' father, noticed that his son was left-handed when he was a toddler. Earl, who was an army veteran, was worried about his son's left-handedness and this prompted the switch. After watching his father swing from the right, Tiger decided to shift to the right side as well.
