We’ve talked about the PGA pros and how well they can putt, but I’ve started thinking about the fundamentals of my swing. My husband always tells me to watch the ladies in the LPGA. He says they don’t need much power (although I think they indeed have it!), because their swing is so smooth. They get their distance from hitting the ball solidly, in the center of the sweet spot, with a smooth, almost effortless, swing.

I tend to want to crush the ball, and don’t even realize I’m doing it. I keep telling myself slow and steady wins the race, but I address the ball, and smack it as hard as I can.

I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands, and try something different. Phil Mickelson golfs left-handed, but he is a righty. I thought what would happen if… so I decided to try a left-handed swing. Definitely feels odd at first, but after a few times I learned a thing or two. Golfing left-handed seems to restrict my swing, and I’m probably going back only three-quarters. By not taking a full swing, the club is more consistently coming back on an even plane. The power isn’t all there, but the accuracy is better!

I work on my swing at home about 15 minutes a day, and left-handed swinging is beginning to feel comfortable. When I turn around and hit right-handed (my normal swing), I’ve noticed I’m incorporating my trend to take a shorter, slightly smoother swing.

This trick probably isn’t for everybody, but it is fun to try!