Stance for Left-handed Golfers

By Steve Silverman

Learning how to stand correctly should not be an issue for any golfer. It is a relatively simple and straightforward task. However, instructions are almost always written for right-handed golfers, and that means lefties have to turn things around. That's where it can get complicated. Instead of thinking about their stance and swing, left-handed golfers are thinking about turning around instructions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Stand on the right side of the ball. Your right shoulder should be facing the target. Look down at your right foot. It should be directly under your right shoulder.

Step 2

Bend your knees slightly. By flexing your knees, you will be able to get your full body weight behind your swing and give yourself a chance to hit the ball with maximum power.

Step 3

Keep your back straight. You do not want to bend over at the waist and lunge at the ball. Play the ball midway between your right foot and your left foot. Many golfers will play the ball closer to the front foot in order to get it up in the air quicker, but this will take away power and will also have a negative impact on accuracy.

Step 4

Make sure your grip is secure. Hold the club in your right hand and put it at the top of the grip. Take the small finger of your left hand and put it in the gap between the middle finger and forefinger of your right hand. This is called the overlapping grip, and it is used by a majority of all golfers.

Step 5

Keep your eye on the ball throughout your address. Most golfers want to pick up their heads before they finish their swing so they can admire their shot, but this generally results in a poor shot. Keeping your eye on the back of the ball should result in a good swing and an accurate shot.

Tips & Warnings

Swing smoothly and do not try to kill the ball. Relax as you prepare to hit it.

About The Author

Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.