Most golfers are right-handed, but left-handed golfers exist. How do you know which one is which? You’ll need to discover the clues and compare them to the cheat sheet below. Once you know which is which, you can feel confident buying either hand at the pro-shop.
Table of Contents
Shaft Matters
The shaft of a golf club is, in most instances, an excellent representation of the right or left hand. Take a look at the below photo and you’ll see what I mean. The shaft of the club in your left hand is at an angle compared to the shaft of the club in your right hand. This means it’s the left hand, and thus, is often the clue to the golfer’s handedness. If you’ve ever been told that your hands are similar in strength, this test is for you. Grip the shafts of your golf clubs firmly, but gently, and you’ll be able to tell the difference. If you’re still unsure, then ask the golf pro to demonstrate for you.
Club Head Matters
In most cases, the head of a golf club is also a good indicator of the right or left hand. If the head is rounded, like a sphere, it’s typically a right hander. If the head is more triangular in shape, it’s typically a left hander. Take a look at the below photo and you’ll see what I mean. You may also have to do some side-by-side testing to determine which is which. When purchasing a golf club, you’ll need to look for either a sphere or a triangle head. If you’re still unsure, then ask the golf pro to demonstrate for you.
The Lie Of The Land
If you’re playing on an even surface, with straight tees, then the lie of the land can also help you determine whether you’re a right hander or a left hander. A right hander will have the ball close to their body when teeing off. A left hander will have the ball behind them when teeing off. Of course, this can vary based on the golf course and how much you want to push the ball. When playing on a course known for its generous fairways, you may want to play the ball further out. On the other hand, if you’re playing on a course known for its narrow fairways, you may want to play the ball closer to the hole. It’s all about strategy and knowing the course you’re playing on.
Look At The Grip
If you want to play a more accurate golf game, you’ll need to look at the grip of the golf club. A right-handed grip will, in most instances, result in more accurate shots. If you’re a lefty, you may want to consider switching to a righty grip. For best results, try for a cross between a reverse overhand and a claw grip. Also, make sure you’ve got a good grip on the club. If you’re doing any sort of athletic activity with a golf club, like running or swinging it, then make sure your hands are in good shape. You can also get hand surgery to correct any issues that might arise from excessive gripping.
Overall Appearance
Certainty! You’ve arrived at the most important section. Before we move on, make sure you’ve got your cheat sheet ready. You’ll need it for the below exercise. The overall appearance of a golf club can be an important clue to its right or left hand. A right handed appearance will typically result in a right hander. If the club has a more rounded appearance, it’s typically a left hander. Below, you’ll see two clubs, one with a rougher finish and another with a smoother appearance. You can tell which is which by feeling how the balls interact with the clubheads. The smoother finish results in a left hander and the more irregularity in the surface, the more right hand dominance. When purchasing a golf club, you’ll need to look for either a rounder or a sharper appearance overall. If you’re still unsure, then ask the golf pro to demonstrate for you.
Ball Matters
Now that you know the basics of how to tell the right hand from the left hand, let’s continue with the fun part. After you’ve determined that the club is a lefty, you can start to feel more confident about your selection. The shape of the ball and how it’s constructed can also help. Check out the below photo and see if you can guess which is which. The white ball is a 9.9 inch sphere with a dimple on the front. The blue ball is a 9.8 inch sphere without a dimple on the front. If you’re still unsure, then ask the golf pro to demonstrate for you. Once you’ve determined the shape of the balls, it’s easier to gauge the distance and trajectory the ball will take. This is especially helpful for longer shots. The size of the ball is also an important factor. Bigger is usually better when it comes to distance. This is especially helpful when playing courses known for their reach. For best results, play a medium sized ball with a low spin rate.
Look At Durability
One of the most important things to consider when buying a golf club is its durability. You don’t want to invest in a club that will break after just a few months of use. Fortunately, most golf clubs are built to last years of heavy use, so you don’t have to worry about finding a new club too soon. Take a look below at some durable golf clubs. You’ll notice, regardless of the model, all of them have a steel shaft and a metal head. The only difference is in the materials used to construct the club. The club on the left is hollowed out and the club on the right is solid. The key points to consider are the material used to make the club and the length of the steel shaft. If you’re still unsure, then ask the golf pro to demonstrate for you. Better to be over-cautious than sorry later on.
Final Takeaway
There you have it, the ultimate guide to identifying the right hand from the left hand in golf. If you’re a beginner, then start with the basic tests above and see if you can figure out which is which. If you think you might be a lefty then try out some of the other tests, like the shaft and the head, to see if you can get a better sense of how the club handles. If you’re still unsure, then ask the golf pro to demonstrate for you. Now, go out there and hit some balls! You’ll thank me later.