With around 10% of the world’s population being left-handed, there needs to be plenty of tools in place for these people to thrive along with their right-handed brothers and sisters.
Left-handed scissors, notebooks, electronics and more are all commonplace for those who naturally gravitate towards their left hand. Sadly, though, the same isn’t always true in the golf game.
There are plenty of left-handed golfers out there, with Phil Mickelson arguably the most famous of the bunch, so thriving in golf as a lefty is entirely possible! But it does create limitations that might not factor into the games of right-handed players.
Specifically, left-handed golf clubs are nowhere near as common, forcing them to hunt for the right clubs for longer. But that’s not the only issue they face.
The problems left-handed golfers face
Reduced availability of new clubs
It’s true, every major golf club manufacturer makes options for left-handed players, but these options are usually far more limited when compared to the availability of clubs for righties.
While new clubs for right-handed golfers often appear in multiple variations, with different options to suit a range of needs in the game, left-handed clubs don’t often enjoy the same luxury, limiting the variety of tools left-handed players get to enjoy.
This limitation forces left-handed players to be more tactical in the clubs they choose to purchase. Having said that, this can be an advantage in that they can refine their abilities with more traditional clubs, thus having less reliance on more modern golfing technologies other players have become accustomed to.
Thankfully, at Clarkes Golf, we’re home to a great selection of left-handed golf clubs, including left-handed golf drivers, left-handed fairway woods, left-handed iron sets and more. So lefties will always find the tools they need with us.
Reduced ability to borrow clubs
“Give us a go with your hybrid, John!”
It’s always common to let your fellow players borrow one of your clubs if they want to test it out on a specific lie. But this mostly isn’t possible for left-handed players.
Unless, by some miracle, another player in a group is left-handed (highly unlikely), left-handed players don’t have the option to borrow one of their friends’ clubs, leaving them stuck with the clubs they have at their disposal.
Unsuitable lies
We’re all guilty of landing our ball beside an obstacle we need to hit around every once in a while.
Slicing the ball off the tee into the forestation beside the fairway is always frustrating. But what can make things even more frustrating for left-handed players is when they land their ball in a lie they’re unable to hit, while their right-handed friends could knock it back into play without a care in the world.
For example, if a left-handed player landed their ball on the far side of a tree stump, they’d seriously struggle to catch the ball cleanly without striking the stump in the process. Whereas a right-handed player would square up to the ball from the opposite side, without the stump getting in the way.
If a lefty caught their left-handed golf wedge on the stump at full force, chances are they’d need a new one pretty quickly!
Other players assume everyone is right-handed
It might not be an obvious point, but knowing where to stand when others are in play is an essential component of golf, to not distract the player in question or pose a safety risk.
As left-handed golfers square up to the ball differently from right-handers, it is easy to make the mistake of sitting in the eye line of a left-handed player as they line up their shot. Not only is this annoying and could throw someone off, it’s pretty impolite.
Explore our selection of left-handed golf clubs at Clarkes Golf
If you’re a left-handed golfer and looking for the best options to bring your game back to life, or you know a left-handed player who’s on the lookout for some shiny new clubs, look no further than Clarkes Golf.
At Clarkes, we’re home to an excellent selection of left-handed golf clubs and left-handed golf equipment, from all the top brands that are sure to fulfil the needs of any dedicated lefty, on any golf course. So they can step up to the tee with the same confidence as their right-handed counterparts.
Take a look at our selection of left-handed clubs here, or reach out to a Clarkes representative if you need a hand with your purchase.