It's more distance or quit for me......

[dachtor]

help me decide where my time would be better spent.

First let me say that I'm a pretty good athlete and I played 14 years of baseball. Problem is, I batted left handed and play golf right handed due to no access to left handed clubs as a kid. I've never been very long as a golfer.

Recently my game has gone to crap and distance has decreased gradually over the past 4 years. I can't hit it out of my own shadow. In fact, my swing is terrible and I feel it's the result of years of trying to figure out the secret technique which would allow me to hit it further on the range.

While on the launch monitors, the fastest swing I can generate is around 100mph and that's going full bore. My normal swing is around 90. Should I be focusing on technique, strength training or both at the same time?


BTW - Left handed, my normal swing speed is around 110. Full bore, 120.

Please help because I'm so frustrated that I'm about to quit the game........

[glcoach]

I think you should start playing left handed.

 

This isn't the dark ages anymore. Being left handed is ok.....I promise. And the equipment is just as good nowadays.

 

Trying to be something your not (right handed) is the road to frustration and aggravation. Get some lefthanded sticks and learn to play all over again. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[vanquish007]

I think you should start playing left handed.

 

This isn't the dark ages anymore. Being left handed is ok.....I promise. And the equipment is just as good nowadays.

 

Trying to be something your not (right handed) is the road to frustration and aggravation. Get some lefthanded sticks and learn to play all over again. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

I would concur! Lefthanded is probably the way for you to go now.

 

You're not a kid anymore, and there a ton of options available to lefthanded golfers that might not have been available when you were younger.

 

Give it a shot and be sure to let us know how you progress!! :)

[dachtor]

I've thought about switching but it would be so tough to take that much of a step back. I shoot in the low 80's now but it's all because of my short game.

 

I should tell you that I'm not really left handed as one would think of a left handed person. I batted left and threw right. For some reason my dad told me that when I would walk up to the tee as a kid, I would walk up as though I was left handed. However, I play tennis right handed and I play pool left handed (right hand forward).

 

I just think my right arm and hand are a lot stronger than my left.

[glcoach]

Swing speed tells the tale.....left handed is the way for you to go.

 

It is actually a good thing if your right arm and hand are stronger and you swing left handed. That would be a lot of power.

 

I don't think it would be too much of a step back. I read an article a while back about a guy like you who was a 12 capper right handed, but was a lefty. His pro turned him around and within 2 months he was a 4 and playing the best golf of his life. So I ask you 2 months or a lifetime of better golf? I'm going lifetime.

[lysaght68]

Dachtor,

Your speed left handed seems well above average, have your considered trying to play lefty? I'm no instructor so I don't know if that type of switch is even advisable but if you want to give it a try I have a suggestion. Try to find a local professional club-builder that works with quality component clubs, you could have him/her assemble a custom fit 5 piece lefty set (for example - PW, 8 iron, 5 iron, 5 wood/hybrid & driver - or something similar) and play that set for awhile to see if you can make it work. I'm certain you could have a quality fitted set like this built for less than $300. Sorry if that's a whacky suggestion, I would imagine it might be frustrating learning to play all over again. If that option is not appealing and since you are a good athlete finding a reputable professional instructor that can help you with technique and strength/flexibility training would seem to be your best option.

[dachtor]

If I were to go this route (and believe me, it's tempting) what do you think the best way to start would be? Feet together drill? L to L drill?

 

I'm thinking that I may just find a 5, 7, 9 iron off ebay or something and give it a try. Can't hurt right?

[lysaght68]

If I were to go this route (and believe me, it's tempting) what do you think the best way to start would be? Feet together drill? L to L drill?

 

I'm thinking that I may just find a 5, 7, 9 iron off ebay or something and give it a try. Can't hurt right?

 

If it were me I'd spend a lot of time in front of a full length mirror trying to get my alignment, stance, takeaway, top, and impact positions ingrained, then I'd post a "help with best drills for a new player" thread in this forum hoping that some of the really knowledgeable instructors here could tell you what they do with new students :) . If you decide to try it I'd really be interested to read about the experience as another poster mentioned.

[rustyputterguy]

Step away from the ledge!

Swing speeds 90-100 aren't the end of the world if you can hit the ball solidly.

Maybe don't play from the tips and spend more time where we all should, on the practice green!

:)

[rockstar571]

i'm a very similar boat i'm about half left-handed too. i bat left handed, throw right handed, for a very long time i putted left-handed but i golf right handed. my ss right handed is 105 i've never been measured left-handed so now you've got me curious. give lefty a try and let us all know (i may join you in the left-handed ranks)

[spider]

IMO it seems to me you are a feel player in all sports. You didn't hesitate to bat left, throw right, shoot pool left and tennis right....etc. You just went with what felt correct to you...but when it came to golf you had to be forced to go right because of equipment.

 

Seems like an easy decision and it won't take you long to become proficient with the golf swing from the left side.

 

Also playing tennis right if you use a two handed back hand swing it is like batting left and playing golf left handed.

 

dachtor: I know it is tough but take it from someone who is a righty in everything except surfing. Off the subject a little but because I surfed the way lefties do I lost power where I needed it in the back foot. If I could go back and relearn I would and would be better for it definitely. I was a pretty good competitive surfer but was definitely held back because of my stance and power. My point is I think it is the difference from being good at a sport and possibly the best you can be at that sport.

 

I say give it a try and some time.

[Placebo]

I am right handed in everything and have been all my life. Oddly enough I have recently been considering trying to play golf left handed. I now realize that I originally taught myself to swing the wrong way and going to a left handed swing would be like starting fresh again as opposed to trying to eliminate engrained bad habits. :)

 

Its a big step to take so I understand your being hesitant, however if you don't try you'll never know now will you?

[dachtor]

 

 

Also playing tennis right if you use a two handed back hand swing it is like batting left and playing golf left handed.

 

 

Funny you say that because that was one of the main strengths of my game (when I played tennis a lot).

[JoeF]

Left handed woods and right handed irons?

[spider]

Dachtor,

 

I think if your two handed back hand in tennis was the best shot left handed golf may just be the call. Seems to me not only will your swing be faster but perhaps your right hand is more stable to pull the club into the ball.

 

Good luck. I am curious to see how much better you will get.

[Zach Heusser]

I think you should start playing left handed.

 

This isn't the dark ages anymore. Being left handed is ok.....I promise. And the equipment is just as good nowadays.

 

Trying to be something your not (right handed) is the road to frustration and aggravation. Get some lefthanded sticks and learn to play all over again. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

I would concur! Lefthanded is probably the way for you to go now.

 

You're not a kid anymore, and there a ton of options available to lefthanded golfers that might not have been available when you were younger.

 

Give it a shot and be sure to let us know how you progress!! :)

I would also suggest switching to left handed. I have switched lots of people, and it has worked everytime. And for a side note you can get 14 new clubs. :crazy: