In golf, a person’s shot, or swing, is the most important aspect of the game. And to get the best shot, you need to work on your stance and hand positioning. Depending on where you are on the hole, which handed shot you are can make or break the game for you. Maybe unless your Tiger Woods. Is Tiger Woods left-handed?
Tiger Woods, possibly this generation’s best golfer, is right-handed and he also shoot right-handed. But, that doesn’t mean that he can’t make a good shot pinching in with a left-handed shot when he needs to. Is there anything he can’t do on the golf course?
Tiger Woods, born Eldrick Tont Woods, has had a lot of highlights and lowlights in his career, ranging in everything from holding numerous records, to scandal, to injuries, to staging a comeback. While this right-hander is still playing the game, he is going to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.
Young Phenom
Tiger Woods started getting attention from an early age, including getting his first Sports Illustrated profile at age of 15. He first caught the eyes of the entertainment and sports industries shortly after picking up his first driver at the age of 6 months old, and by the time he was two, he was putting against Bob Hope on The Mike Douglas Show in 1978.
After that, there was a long list of accomplishments, some included:
- He shot a 48 on nine holes at a Navy Golf Course at the age of 3
- Landed in his first magazine, Golf Digest, at age 5
- When he was 6 he won his first golf competition, a Pitch, Putt and Drive, in the Under 10 category
- In his first Junior World Golf Championships, he was 8 years old, and the youngest category was the 9-10 Age Group, he still won
- He was 8 when he first broke 80, four years later, at age 12, he broke 70
- Played in his first national championship at 13
- He became the youngest U.S. Junior Amateur Champion at 15
- While in high school he received multiple awards and championships
- He played in his first PGA Tournament at age 19, turning Pro at 20, and the rest is history.
Benefit to Being Left-Handed on the Golf Course?
Is there a benefit to shooting one way vs. the other on a golf course? The percentage of left-handed golfers is higher than the global average; 12% in golf vs. almost 10% worldwide, with 30% of left-handed golfers being Canadian.
While there may be more, on average, left-handed golfers than usual, it doesn’t seem to impact play at all. Neither does the fact that most courses seem to be designed by right-handers. Though not everyone agrees with this assessment, even if it is true, most people agree that which way you swing a club doesn’t seem to impact you on any particular hole on the golf course. Hazards can interfere with your play whether you’re left-handed or right-handed.
Many Pros advise that you should play the way it feels more comfortable. So, if you’re left-handed and that feels more natural, no sense in trying to play the game with a right-handed swing, as there’s no advantage. You are more apt to be better with your swing in the direction that feels most natural, and that is what will improve your game.
Studies show that more left-handers become professional athletes, yet the only real advantage that athletes have in sports are those in which there is a limited time to take action, such as baseball.
Apparently, no matter if you swing left or right, playing golf adds five years to your life. I’m not sure if that only counts if you walk the course though, instead of taking a cart.