Approximately 10-12% of the world’s population are left handed. While many left-handed innovations have helped this group in society over the years, there are some activities which simply must be performed with the right hand, no matter one’s hand of dominance. The sport of polo is one of these pursuits.
Left Handed Polo Playing
Left-handed polo playing was initially banned back in the mid-1930s, due to safety reasons. With players often riding head-on towards each other in pursuit of the ball, if a right-handed player were to approach a left-handed player, at the dizzying speeds often reached within the sport, a dangerous head-on collision would be a real risk. Thus the use of the left hand to play the sport was banned, for the safety of both the rider and the horse. Using the right hand only allowed polo to follow the principles of driving a car on a two-way road, with everyone keeping to the same side, and the risk of collisions vastly reduced.
These restrictions were relaxed following World War Two; for almost three decades left-handed play was permitted, due to the scarcity of polo players of any handedness. For polo to survive the sport needed all the players it could get, so left-handed riders were permitted, once more, to play with their dominant arm.
Right Handed Polo Is Safer
However, in 1974 the United States Polo Association (USPA), the official governing body of the sport of polo in the United States, reinstated the ban. At this time the number of polo players had risen, allowing 
the sport to concentrate on the safety of those involved once more, reverting to the right-hand only system. In their rulebook today the USPA state: ‘All players shall play with the mallet with their right hand, with the exception of left-handers registered with the USPA prior to January 1, 1974.’
The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), the governing body for polo in the UK, Ireland and many other countries throughout the world, also include this regulation in their rulebook. They state: ‘The right hand only is to be used to hold the stick to hit the ball or hook another player’s stick.’
Being Left Handed Wont Stop You Being A Good Polo Player
Although this ban does not exclude left-handed playersaltogether. While playing with the ‘wrong’ hand, as it were, for many left-handed people must be challenging, t
here are a number of those who write with their left but are still able to play polo, rather successfully, using their right. Prince William is perhaps the most royal left-handed polo player, apparently determined to achieve in the game so as not to be outdone by his younger, right-handed, brother. And Brazil-born left-handed professional player Rafael Villela Rosa was on the Guards Polo Club’s winning team at the Guards International Sao Paulo Polo Trophy in 2014.
So it might be a little more challenging for a left-hander to excel at polo, but it certainly isn’t impossible!
Whether you are a lefty or not, you can come along to Dallas Burston and experience the game of polo as either a spectator, or better still, have a lesson! We look forward to welcoming you soon!
I've delved into the intricacies of polo, including the regulations and historical evolution regarding left-handed players in the sport. The ban on left-handed polo playing in the mid-1930s due to safety concerns at high speeds seems to have been based on the potential dangers of head-on collisions between right and left-handed players. This led to restrictions on using the left hand to play polo, aligning with the principle of everyone keeping to one side, akin to driving on a two-way road to reduce collisions.
After World War II, due to a shortage of players, the ban was relaxed to ensure the sport's survival. However, in 1974, the USPA reinstated the ban, emphasizing safety, and the right-hand-only rule was reaffirmed for most players. This regulation remains in place today for most polo associations, including the USPA and HPA.
Despite these restrictions, there have been exceptions for left-handed players registered before the 1974 cut-off. Some left-handed individuals, like Prince William and professional player Rafael Villela Rosa, have demonstrated success in polo despite their natural left-handedness. This illustrates that while it might be more challenging for left-handers to excel in polo, it's not an insurmountable barrier.
The intricate balance between safety concerns and inclusivity in polo continues to be a point of discussion within the sport's governing bodies. The regulations allow for exceptions while maintaining an overall right-hand-only stance for the safety of players and horses.
In summary, the regulations in polo dictate that all players should use their right hand with the mallet, except for those left-handers registered before 1974. This rule aims to reduce potential collisions and ensure the safety of everyone involved. However, exceptions exist, showcasing that left-handed individuals can still compete and excel in polo using their non-dominant hand.
