Starting Juniors as Lefty vs Righty?

[burners]

A question for Brian and the rest of the august forum membership.

I work with a nine-year old who does everything left-handed. All of his clubs have been left-handed except his first putter, which he flipped over and used as a left handed club (when he was two). Anyway, I've sorta just let him have fun with hitting balls the way he wants. I've given him some grip and setup basics and allowed him to just try to knock the cover off the ball (and to have some short game/putting fun). At this stage, he's really not all that interested in being taught, but manages to still hit it pretty good, if not a little inconsistent.

I know about all the greats who were natural lefties and learned to play righty. Also know the jist of Mickelson learning to play lefty and Weir's letter to Jack asking what he would do. (If you don't know the story, he went with Jack's recommendation.)

Anybody got any experience teaching junior lefties to play righty, and is it worth letting them try to hit on the other side just as a data point?

Thanks.

 

[thefuture37]

if he is talented enough, teach him both sides at the same time. i know of some people that play like this. typically they will carry even numbered irons right handed and odd irons left handed(or vice versa). kinda pointless if youre a hacker. but if you can play, think of the possibilities.

 

[burners]

Manzella philosophy?

Bump.

Asked another way, Brian, how would you start out a natural left hander? Back in the day, playing righty was "about" the only option. Today, with your experience teaching juniors (or adults), how do you decide? Or is it even a consideration?

Would you let the player try both ways and decide on his/her own? Just curious if it ever comes up. Currently, I plan to just let him stay with hitting it left handed--he doesn't show any interest in wanting to try the other side.

Lefties, please chime in. What's been your experience? Lessons learned? The idea of being able to do it both ways is interesting.

 

[curtisj76]

If someone's natural ability is left handed I would go with that. Yeah, there's examples of pro's that play opposite but who cares. John Daly can drive the ball like 5 miles (carry) but I'm not going to go out and gain 200 pounds and swing till the club almost taps my butt on the backswing.

I certainly wouldn't do what future said (sorry future), not too many people ever figure this God forsaken game out swinging just 1 way, let alone 2 ways.

 

[thefuture37]

I certainly wouldn't do what future said (sorry future), not too many people ever figure this God forsaken game out swinging just 1 way, let alone 2 ways.

that doesn't make a lick of sense. a left handed swing isnt any different from a right handed swing. so if you figured it out from one side, you just stand on the other side and do the same thing. its about options that give you a better chance of getting the ball in the hole, not trying to make the perfect, biomechanically optimal swing that produces FREAKING AWESOME numbers on trackman. people forget that sometimes.

 

[cmartingolf]

Funny. I just did this yesterday with a five y/o. Mom didn't know what clubs to get the kid!

I had him take a couple wipes right handed and a couple wipes left handed and it was clear that his coordiation for golf was right handed.

I play hockey and swing a bat lefty, but golf always felt better righty.

 

[curtisj76]

that doesn't make a lick of sense. a left handed swing isnt any different from a right handed swing. so if you figured it out from one side, you just stand on the other side and do the same thing. its about options that give you a better chance of getting the ball in the hole, not trying to make the perfect, biomechanically optimal swing that produces FREAKING AWESOME numbers on trackman. people forget that sometimes.

But why spend the time trying to "perfect" it from both sides. That would be a waste of time and lead to more confusion. Go to the range, hit 50 balls right handed, finally make some progress. Then switch sides and start from ground zero on the other side? I don't think so. If it was such a great idea more people would do it.

 

[thefuture37]

But why spend the time trying to "perfect" it from both sides. That would be a waste of time and lead to more confusion. Go to the range, hit 50 balls right handed, finally make some progress. Then switch sides and start from ground zero on the other side? I don't think so. If it was such a great idea more people would do it.

the whole assumption behind my suggestion was that the kid has natural ability. if that holds, then it wouldn't be a big deal switching sides. think about it from that perspective, not from your own.

as far as "If it was such a great idea more people would do it", think about this: there is a lot better information about the golf swing on this site, but PGA tour pros still go to the "big name" instructors. does that mean this information isn't so great?

 

[dashfan87]

Ill tell you from personal experience. My first clubs growing up were left handed, I am naturally left handed. After a while, my dad not being able to find lefty clubs that easy, (this was in, '92-'94) he asked me if I would be willing to try and play righty... I said cool, dad plays righty I do too! I played right for about 5 to 6 years, always putting left handed.
Long story short, at about 14 I decided that I wouldn't ever be able reach my full potential playing righty. I switched to lefty, and within a year I broke 90, and was hitting the ball farther than ever, and it didn't even feel weird to switch. I have never looked back. Although to freak people out, Ill hit left and right handed on the range...
If he is a natural lefty, keep him lefty. These days lefties are easier to find clubs for.

 

[self-mastery]

But why spend the time trying to "perfect" it from both sides. That would be a waste of time and lead to more confusion. Go to the range, hit 50 balls right handed, finally make some progress. Then switch sides and start from ground zero on the other side? I don't think so. If it was such a great idea more people would do it.

I agree!

It is down right silly to try and play the game from both sides. Oh wow your slice now goes to the LEFT... whoopty--do. Golf not gimmicks

 

[birdie_man]

Hit some balls and see what you do more naturally, no?

I have to think that whichever side you hit with more power from, take to more naturally, and feels best..............that is the side to pursue.

I don't know what else you could go by? (***not a golf instructor***)