Ever tried watching a golf lesson video and feeling like you’re looking in a mirror?
Welcome to life as a lefty golfer.
I spent years trying to translate right-handed instruction into something that worked for my southpaw swing. Watching my shots curve the opposite way from everything I’d learned was enough to drive me crazy.
Being a left-handed golfer isn’t about flipping everything around. You need to work with your natural swing, not against it. Through years of teaching other lefties, I’ve developed drills that make sense for how we play the game.
Whether your slice curves left or your hook goes right (yes, opposite from what every golf magazine tells you), these drills will help you build a swing that works for you, not the other 90% of golfers.
Let’s get started.
The Left-Handed Golf Puzzle
Let me share something that hit me during my first golf lesson.
The instructor kept saying, “Do exactly what I’m doing,” while demonstrating a right-handed swing.
Sure, simple enough.
Except I had to mentally flip everything he showed me. It was like trying to write with your opposite hand while looking in a mirror. A weekend golfer’s guide to smarter play could easily save you from this challenge, helping to simplify the learning process.
Here’s what makes our left-handed journey unique: everything moves in reverse.
When right-handed players swing clockwise, we’re going counterclockwise.
When they shift weight from left to right, we’re moving right to left. It’s not just different – it’s completely opposite.
Think about throwing a ball. As lefties, our power side is reversed, which means our whole setup changes.
The ball position, how we transfer our weight, even how we read the greens – it’s all flipped. And those golf tips you read in magazines?
You’ve got to reverse those too.
Once you understand these differences, they become your advantages. Take bunker shots, for example. While right-handed players enter the sand from one angle, we come in from the opposite side.
Different? Yes. Wrong? Not at all. It’s just our way of getting the job done.
I’ve seen too many left-handed golfers struggle because they’re trying to copy right-handed techniques exactly.
Stop that.
Your natural instincts as a lefty are actually spot-on – they just need some fine-tuning. In the next section, I’ll show you exactly how to spot a slow course and work with your left-handed instincts, not against them.
Getting Your Grip (The Lefty Way)
It all starts with the grip.
I spent years wondering why my shots weren’t consistent until I realized I was holding the club like a right-handed player would.
Here’s my simple, proven method for nailing your left-handed grip:
First, relax.
Seriously – most golfers strangle their clubs. Hold it at waist height like you’re shaking hands with an old friend.
Your right-hand leads the way here (opposite from what you usually see in golf magazines).
Spread those fingers diagonally across the grip to master your golf grip.
Now the key move: your left hand comes in to cover your right thumb, creating a nice V-shape with your forefinger, much like when applying golf putting strategies for precise control.
Think of squeezing a tube of toothpaste – you want just enough pressure to get the paste out, not crush the tube. That’s about a 5 out of 10 on the pressure scale.
Setting Up For Success
Want a quick way to check if you’re lined up properly?
Grab a couple of alignment sticks (or clubs if you don’t have sticks). Lay one pointing at your target and another parallel to your feet.
This creates a perfect channel for your stance. It’s like having railroad tracks guiding your swing – one rail points where you’re going, and the other shows where you should stand.
Stand behind your ball and take a look – your shoulders should run parallel to those lines, just like train tracks.
Your hips, too (they don’t lie, remember).
If they don’t, you’re probably aiming somewhere into the next fairway!
To perfect your golf stance and posture, make sure everything lines up just right, or you might be veering off course!
What You’ll Need:
- Two alignment sticks (or clubs)
- Your favorite club for practice
- A few ball markers
- A small towel for grip pressure checks
I practice this setup routine before every round. It takes just five minutes but saves me countless shots on the course.
We lefties don’t need complicated drills – we need the right drill done right.
The Figure-8 Secret to a Better Swing
Want to know my favorite drill for developing a smooth, natural swing?
I call it the Figure-8, and it’s perfect for us lefties.
I discovered this one by accident while practicing in my backyard, and it’s been a game-changer for my students.
Here’s how it works: Imagine you’re drawing a figure-8 on the ground with your clubhead. Start with your feet shoulder-width apart, hold your club at waist height, and make those smooth figure-8 patterns just above the grass. When you feel your wrists naturally flexing and releasing – that’s exactly what you want in your real swing.
Start with 10 clockwise loops, then switch to 10 counterclockwise.
You’ll feel your muscles learning that inside-out path that creates pure, straight shots. This feels weird at first but stick with it.
The Wall Drill Bonus
Ready to take it up a notch? Here’s my favorite variation: Find a wall (or garage door if you’re practicing at home).
Stand about 6 inches away, with a ball 3 inches from the wall. Now, take some practice swings without hitting the wall – it’s like having a built-in swing path guide.
The wall keeps you honest.
If you’re swinging too far outside or inside, you’ll know right away. Do this 20 times, focusing on keeping your clubface square at impact, and remember to choose the perfect golf ball for optimal performance.
I do this drill before every round, and it works wonders for consistency.
- Keep the clubhead low to the ground
- Focus on smooth, controlled movements
- If you’re hitting the wall, you’re swinging too far outside
- Practice this for just 5 minutes daily for best results
We’re not trying to reinvent your swing – we’re just teaching your body what a great swing feels like.
And sometimes, the simplest drills make the biggest difference.
Mastering the Short Game (The Lefty Way)
I used to struggle with those nerve-wracking three-footers until I discovered what I call the “Clock Drill.”
Here’s how it works:
Grab five tees and stick them in a circle around the hole, each about three feet away – like numbers on a clock face.
This becomes your confidence-building zone. But here’s the key for us lefties: forget everything you’ve seen right-handed players do.
Start with your grip – right hand below left, nice and relaxed.
Think about holding a baby bird – firm enough it won’t fall, gentle enough not to hurt it.
Now, get those eyes directly over the ball. I tell my students to drop the ball from their eyes – if it hits your ball, you’re in perfect position.
The Secret to Smooth Putting
Rock those shoulders like a pendulum – forget about your wrists.
They just come along for the ride. Start with those three-footers, and only move back when you’re making at least 4 out of 5. Mastering the short ones builds confidence for the longer putts.
Beyond the Green
Now, let’s talk about those tricky shots around the green. I love using what I call the “Around the World” practice routine.
Set up five balls at different lies – uphill, downhill, sidehill – you know, the shots that actually happen on the course.
Start with your gap wedge from 10 yards. Create a landing zone using alignment sticks about 2-3 feet onto the green.
This is your target.
Work your way through different clubs and distances:
- Gap wedge from 10 yards (aim for 4 out of 5 on target)
- Sand wedge from 20 yards (try for 3 out of 5)
- Lob wedge from 30 yards (again, 3 out of 5 is solid)
Adding Power to Your Lefty Swing
Want to know the biggest mistake I see left-handed golfers make when trying to add distance?
They try to muscle the ball instead of using their body’s natural rotation. Let me share two game-changing drills that transformed my distance game.
The Magic of the Left-Hand Low
Here’s a practice secret that feels weird at first but works wonders: grip down on the club with your left hand slightly lower than usual.
I discovered this by accident during a range session, and it completely changed how I generate power.
Take some practice swings focusing on turning your body, not your arms.
Feel that clubhead whoosh through impact – that’s pure rotational power.
Spend about 10 minutes on this, and you’ll start seeing straighter, longer shots.
The Weight Transfer Dance
Another favorite of mine. Start with most of your weight (about 60%) on your right foot.
As you swing, feel your weight flow smoothly to your left side – like you’re dancing in slow motion. I sometimes use a medicine ball between my feet to really feel this movement.
- Hold your finish for 3 seconds (balance check!)
- Make sure your belt buckle points at the target when you finish
- Practice with your right arm only occasionally – it teaches you proper release
Give yourself about 15 minutes to work on weight transfer. You’ll know it’s working when you can finish balanced on your left side, feeling athletic and strong.
Putting It All Together
Adding power isn’t about swinging harder – it’s about swinging smarter. These drills have helped countless lefties in my lessons find extra yards without losing control.
Practice them regularly, and you’ll start seeing longer straighter shots.
Remember, we lefties have a natural advantage when it comes to power – our strong side is already in the right place.
We just need to learn how to use it properly. Keep your grip pressure light, let your body turn naturally, and trust these movements to become second nature.
You don’t need hours on the range. Just 20-30 minutes of focused practice with these drills will start making a difference.