RENO, Nev. – It’s hard to tell sometimes when Charles Barkley is joking, but it’s also hard to watch him play golf.

So, there’s a decent chance he wasn’t kidding when he told reporters on Thursday he’s seriously considering playing left-handed next month at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe.

As Barkley put it: “It can’t be worse.”

The NBA Hall of Famer turned TV analyst said it isn’t like he’s enjoyed a whole lot of success playing right-handed.

Known for the hitch in his stop-and-go swing, Barkley routinely finishes last at the annual tourney at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. He’s a 500-1 longshot to win this year’s tourney July 15-17.

Barkley says he’s just as bad from the left side but seems to be more relaxed.