The world can be a hostile place for us lefties. Everything from the books we take notes in to the tools we use daily is built to accommodate our right handed peers. If you’re a golfer, you may not be aware that there are actually tons of left handed clubs available that can do a great job if you know what you’re doing.
If you’ve already bought your set, however, you’re probably asking the following question – can a left handed person use right handed golf clubs? On this page, we’ll find out. The good news here is that the answer is fairly straightforward.
We’ll be covering whether you can use a right handed club, how to improve your skill level as a player, and some other things that you’ll want to keep in mind.
What’s the Difference Between Left and Right Handed Golf Clubs?
So, what’s the difference between left and right handed clubs? In reality, not that much. In the vast majority of cases, the grip and shaft designs are identical on both left and right handed variants of the same model of club.
The main difference here is the angle and position of the club’s head. On right handed clubs, it’s placed so that the right arm/ hand can assume a dominant position for your swing. On left handed variants, well, you can probably guess the rest.
Left Handed Putters
One exception to what we’ve discussed above is left handed putters. The shafts of these products may be bent to allow lefties to use them effectively. This should be fairly obvious when shopping so keep an eye out and ask a sales representative if you’re unsure.
In a Nutshell – Can a Left Handed Person Use Right Handed Golf Clubs?
Right, let’s get into it – can a left handed person use right handed golf clubs? The answer to this question is yes, but just because you can do something, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be doing it.
It all comes down to how much golf you’ve played before and the equipment you first learned with. The famous golfer Ben Hogan, for example, was a left handed player who saw great success using clubs designed for right handed players.
Hogan initially learned with right handed clubs and therefore found them to be the most comfortable option. If you can confidently use your right arm to drive your swing, there’s nothing stopping you from using a right handed club.
Just keep in mind that if you’re a beginner, you’ll probably have a much better time using clubs that are designed to accommodate your natural play style – unlearning entrenched habits can be so much harder than learning new ones!
Which Option Should I Choose?
The thing about being a leftie is sometimes it’s already too late to try out the equipment that has been purpose-made for us. If you’re someone who’s spent their whole life learning to get by with right handed gear, left handed clubs might even feel weird for you.
Below are a few questions designed to get you thinking about your preferences as a player. Use them to decide what might be the best option for you.
How Much Golf Have I Already Played?
If you’re brand new to the game, we strongly recommend at least giving left handed clubs a go. Establishing a strong foundation of skills using the right equipment can help you progress significantly faster than you might do otherwise.
If you’re already a few months or years in, however, you might feel differently about ditching your right handed clubs. Our advice is to test out one or two left handed options when you get the chance. How weird do they feel to use?
If your answer is ‘not very,’ then it might be worth making the switch. If it feels uncomfortable, the decision is up to you.
How’s My Arm Strength?
The main thing to worry about when using a right handed club as a left handed player is your arm strength. You’ll be using your right arm to drive the majority of the power behind your swing. If you’re equally confident using your left and right arm in this context, then you might not even notice much difference between both types of clubs.
If, like many lefties, your left arm is significantly stronger than your right arm, you’ll probably want to consider using a product that’s been designed with you in mind.
Could I Manage Both?
If you’re a superhero leftie that is basically ambidextrous, you may have no trouble at all with either variant of golf club. In our opinion, it’s definitely still worth picking one or the other. Your swing is perhaps the most important aspect of your success in the game so it’s vital that you’re consistent when practicing.
More: Do golf clubs matter?
Using Right or Left Handed Clubs – Our Suggestion
Regardless of which kind of club you choose, we strongly recommend getting at least a few lessons in if you can afford the expense. A good coach will be able to guide you on your swing technique and help you use your clubs to their full potential.
This can be especially useful if you’re trying to make the switch from right to left handed clubs. Lessons can help to untangle your entrenched habits and retrain your body to use your clubs properly.
Also – Practice!
Consistent practice is the only way to get used to new clubs. You don’t have to do a full 18 holes every weekend, but practicing little and often is vital if you want to progress. Try to find as many opportunities as possible to hone your technique.
Left Handed and Right Handed Clubs – Conclusion
There are a surprising number of professional left handed players who found success using right handed clubs. This means that in theory, you should be able to get by as a leftie using the ‘wrong’ type of clubs.
That said, if you’re brand new to the game, we recommend using clubs that were designed with you in mind!
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