"It's a reverse video... right?" - Fans react to Hideki Matsuyama's left-handed swing

Hideki Matsuyama, a Japanese professional golfer, has been making headlines in the golfing world recently due to his unique swing. Fans and spectators have been stunned and fascinated by his left-handed swing, which has been described as a "reverse" or "mirror image."

While it's not uncommon for players to have unorthodox swings, Matsuyama's left-handed swing has generated a lot of buzz and curiosity among golf enthusiasts. In this article, we'll explore the reactions of fans to Matsuyama's left-handed swing, and the reasons behind its effectiveness.

The Masters - Final Round

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Fans' reactions to Hideki Matsuyama

The reactions of fans to Hideki Matsuyama's left-handed swing have been mixed. While some fans have expressed amazement and admiration for his swing, others have criticized it for being unorthodox and potentially harmful to his career.

One of the reasons why Hideki Matsuyama's swing is so fascinating to fans is because it looks like a reverse video. As one Twitter user commented on a video posted by the PGA Tour,

Most professional golfers use a right-handed swing, while a small percentage of players use a left-handed swing. However, even among left-handed golfers, Hideki Matsuyama's swing is unique because it is a mirror image of a right-handed swing.

Here are a few more reactions:

In an article published by Australian Golf Digest, Matsuyama's swing was described as "the most idiosyncratic, borderline alarming, swing on the PGA Tour."

However, despite the criticisms, Hideki Matsuyama's swing has proven to be highly effective. He won the 2021 Masters Tournament, becoming the first Japanese player to win a major golf tournament. Matsuyama's left-handed swing is not only effective in terms of accuracy and power but also because it allows him to view the ball from a different angle than most right-handed golfers. This unique perspective gives him an advantage over his opponents and has contributed to his success.

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The science behind the swing

Matsuyama's left-handed swing may look unorthodox, but there is a scientific reason behind its effectiveness. According to Dr. Michael Lardon, a sports psychologist who has worked with Matsuyama, his left-handed swing is actually more natural for him than a right-handed swing would be. Lardon says that "the same circuitry in the brain that controls the dominant hand also controls the non-dominant hand." This means that for Matsuyama, swinging left-handed feels as natural as swinging right-handed would for a right-handed golfer.

Furthermore, Hideki Matsuyama's left-handed swing allows him to use his dominant hand (his right hand) for the more critical part of the swing, which is the downswing. By using his dominant hand for the downswing, Matsuyama is able to generate more power and accuracy than he would if he were to use his non-dominant hand.

The Masters - Final Round

Hideki Matsuyama's left-handed swing may be unorthodox and surprising to fans, but there is no denying its effectiveness. His unique perspective on the ball, combined with naturalness and power of his left-handed swing, has led him to great success in the golfing world. While some fans may criticize his swing for being unorthodox, Matsuyama has proven that sometimes doing things differently can lead to incredible achievements.