Conference 7.286::golf

    
     I bought lefty starter clubs for my son at Nevada Bob's.  Set of
    clubs, bag and putter for $100.
    
     I started him with lessons, right handed, but he was more comfortable
    and had a better swing from the left side.  The Pro said he would
    be better off from the left side.  So for what its worth, maybe
    seeing a Pro first might be a good suggestion.

When I was very young and learning golf, the question of whether I should
play lefty or righty came up (I am left handed).  It was decided that I
would play from the right side for a couple of reasons:

- Left handed clubs were big bucks 20 years ago.
- I could use hand-me-down clubs for free.

Today, I am very glad that I learned the game from the right side.
Because my left arm is stronger, I tend to draw the ball more then
fade it.  I actually have to work at fading the ball.  Your left arm
is the control in the golf swing and your right arm is the power from
the right side (vice versa from the left side).  I don't feel like I
sacrificed any power playing from the right side.

But I would still get the advice from a pro...

Mike

    RE. .1
    
    Ben Hogan had the same choice to make when he started golf and
    all the reasons you gave were valid for him...also your comments
    on the left arm being the control is what he attributes to him
    becommingthe great golfer he was...

    
    
      I think the main reason the decision was made for my son to play
    lefty was that we wanted him to enjoy the game from the start and
    not have to work at it so much that it would discourage him from
    playing.  He is going through his growth spirt right now and is
    hitting the ball well, although he likes to chase a long ball off
    the tee.  But it'll probably be this year when he starts to hit
    them further than the ole man.  And I'll have to think of other
    ploys to get him to do the things I want...
    
      Re .0   Good luck with your son and the game.  I get a lot of
    pleasure walking a course and TALKING to my son.

    During the summer of 86 I switched from right to left handed, due
    to a recurring problem with my left shoulder.
    
    I was breaking 80 right handed, and it took me 3 months of going
    to the range almost daily to get a golf ball off the ground.  I
    found it extremely difficult to switch, and would recommend you
    do not plan on your son ever switching sides.
    
    I do recommend he start right handed.  If he has a dominant left
    eye he'll be able to use it.  If his left arm is stronger that can
    only help a right handed swing.  (Anybody see Johny Miller on TV
    hitting it 210 with a 3 wood, using his left arm ONLY?)
    
    Finally, I believe most courses are layed out to penalize a right
    handed golfer who slices (and hence a lefty who swings "correctly"
    and draws).
    
    Does your son play tennis?  A righty golf swing is alot like a lefty
    backhand.
    
    Good luck,
    Mike

    Re .0
    
    I think there are two things to consider here:
    
    1) Equipment
    Being a lefty, and as I have mentioned in other notes, I can tell you
    that is a  relatively big problem to buy  equipment.  Fortunately the
    prices now tend to be the  same,  but  the selection and availability
    leaves something to be desired.  So  from that point of view, I would
    say go with right handed clubs.
    
    2) Your son's attitude
    I wouldn't push your son to switch  if  he shows signs of not wanting
    to play right handed.  He may never fully dedicate himself to game if
    he feels uncomfortable.    As for the advantages of switching, aren't
    most of the pro's  natural  right-handers?  And they play good, don't
    they?  :-)
    
    Tavo

    re: .5
    
    I think you'll find that Johnny Miller falls into the same group
    as .1 and Ben Hogan.....he's a natural lefty...so hitting the ball
    as he did with only the left arm was no suprise to some...!!!

    
      I watch Bob Charles on the Seniors tour and I'd like to swing
    like that with those results.  Equipment is getting more and
    more available and less of a problem.  Even if a lefty is
    stronger from the left side, he/she still need the motor skills
    to be effective.  Its not often in any sport that someone has
    more power from the opposite side.  I suppose its more of what
    you are comfortable with.
    
      I know from watching my son, he is more comfortable from the
    left side.  Although he does get confused watching all those
    @#$%^& right handers and trying to do what they do.  I can
    imagine what it must be like to take lessons from a lefty...

    
    
    Thank you all for some good information.  As for equipment, since
    my daughter (9 years) old and my son will be taking golf lessons
    through our Community Recreation Program (we have 3 golf courses
    in my town) we picked up a starter set of righty clubs at Navada
    Bobs (ACCRUA 3,5,7,9 forged irons, 1 & 3 metal woods , putter and
    a bag for under $100).  Last night my sons uncle walked in with
    a used and complete set of Power Built lefty clubs (yard sale for
    $25).  We have a neighbor who builds custome clubs and can cut
    them down, reweight and regrip them.  
    
    The PRO, who gives lessons recommended that we start my son righty
    although he didn't make that recommendation based on observing
    my sons swing.  Based on the conversation in this conference I
    will take my son to our local course and talk with the pro.  My
    son said that he wants to play righty, although I think his decision
    may be based on the fact the the righty clubs are "new" and the
    used clubs are "quite beat up".
    
    Re. .5	It makes sense that coursed are layed out with the righty
    in mind.  No, he doesn't play tennis.  Baseball he plays lefty when
    throwing and batting (and he doesn't have a real strong arm), and
    archery he shoots rithty and is very good at it.
    
    				Larry

    MY SON WAS IN THE SAME POSITION 13 YEARS AGO.  I FELT THAT HE WOULD
    BE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE SWINGING THE CLUB FROM HIS NATURAL SIDE.
     CHANGING HIM TO RIGHT HANDED MAY BE WHAT CAUSES HIM TO GET FRUSTRATED
    AND GIVE UP THE GAME.
    
    IN SHORT,  LET A LEFT HANDER PLAY LEFT HANDED..
    
    
    30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

    I just bought women's lefty clubs at New England Golf Supply (Rte 20,
    Marlboro, MA).  They had a good selection.  My clubs would probably
    be a good set for your son.  NE Golf Supply has a mini practice range
    so you can tell if you are comfortable with a club or not.  The price
    was very reasonable.
    
    I am naturally right-handed, but play softball, soccer, and golf
    lefty (although I am righ-handed in tennis).
    
    It is difficult to golf well.  I did not want to deal with the
    additional difficulty of having to learn with awkward clubs.