Right or Left-Handed Golf Club for a Child?

Handedness is more than writing hand

Parents usually know whether a child writes, colors, or throws with the right or left hand. Golf can still feel confusing because the club uses both hands, the body turns, and the child may naturally swing from a side that does not match the hand they use for small tasks.

CaddieHQ's guide to right- and left-handed golf clubs makes the same practical point for new golfers: writing hand does not automatically decide golf side because a golf swing is a full-body movement. For a child, the parent job is to observe the swing before locking in the equipment.

A simple home handedness test

Keep this short and playful. You are not trying to coach a perfect swing. You are looking for the side that looks more natural.

1. Use a light object. A junior club, broom, toy bat, or foam-club setup is enough for the test.
2. Give one target. Ask the child to make a slow swing toward a soft ball, balloon, or pretend target.
3. Try both sides. Let them stand on the right side of the ball for a right-handed swing, then the left side for a left-handed swing.
4. Watch balance and comfort. Look for the side where the child turns more naturally and can repeat the motion without fighting the object.
5. Do not decide from one swing. Repeat on another day if the child is tired, distracted, or switching sides.

SportsRec's right-versus-left golf guide notes that golf clubs are built for right- and left-handed players and suggests beginners try both sides when they are unsure. That maps well to a young child: observe first, then choose the club side.

How to read what you see

Use clues, not pressure. A child who looks athletic on one side today may still experiment tomorrow, especially when they are young.

What if a young child keeps switching sides?

Do not turn the handedness question into a test the child can fail. HealthyChildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that some children show a hand preference early and others take longer, and parents should not pressure a child to use one hand or rush the process.

For golf, that means the early answer can stay flexible. If your child swings both ways, use soft-ball play, short sessions, and simple targets while you watch. If a lesson is coming up, ask the coach to check which side looks more natural before you buy a larger set.

What a right-handed kids golf setup looks like

A right-handed golfer stands on the right side of the ball when looking toward the target. The left hand is the lead hand and sits higher on the handle. The right hand sits lower.

If your child naturally sets up this way and the motion looks more balanced than the left-handed side, a right-handed junior golf club is usually the equipment path to check first.

What a left-handed kids golf setup looks like

A left-handed golfer stands on the left side of the ball when looking toward the target. The right hand is the lead hand and sits higher on the handle. The left hand sits lower.

If your child naturally mirrors the right-handed setup and looks more comfortable from that side, check left-handed junior golf club options instead of forcing the right-handed version because it is easier to find.

After handedness, check fit

Handedness does not replace fit. A club can be the correct side and still be too long, too heavy, or hard for the child to control.

The U.S. Kids Golf junior fitting page includes both player height and hand selection in its fitting flow. That is the right order of thinking for parents: choose the side the child can swing, then choose a size that matches the child now.

For more detail on the size question, use the Clubhouse guide to kids golf club size by age. If the child is still choosing the first club type, read what golf club should a child use first before buying a full set.

Where the Big Swing Driver fits

Once you know the child's likely swing side, the Little Links Big Swing Kids Golf Driver product page lists right- and left-handed versions, three size ranges for ages 2-10+, one oversized foam ball, two oversized plastic balls, three large head long-grass tees, three hard surface tees, and a training grip. Current variant availability can change, so check the size, color, and hand option on the product page before choosing.

Keep the product bridge honest. The goal is not to promise a swing outcome. The goal is to help the parent choose a club side, size, and setup so the first swing has a better chance to feel fun instead of confusing.

What to do next

If you know the side but the hands look awkward, go to how should kids hold a golf club. That guide covers lead hand, trail hand, 10-finger grip, and training-grip setup.

If you are still deciding whether the child is ready for real equipment, compare a plastic golf set vs real kids golf club first. Handedness matters most once the child is ready to swing a real right- or left-handed club.