Joey Wuertemberger, Top 100 teacher
,
Nick Dimengo
November 18, 2024
Can cross-handed chipping unlock your real short game potential?
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The great thing about golf is that no two players are exactly the same. Therefore, we tend to use different techniques (no matter how unorthodox) to become as comfortable as possible while swinging the club. And this tinkering starts with the grip.
Although you might think about it different putting grips As the place where players experiment the most, another area worth exploring is the cross-handed chipping grip, which is not extremely popular but can be extremely effective in improving your short game.
So is it really all it’s cracked up to be?
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To find out, I asked GOLF Top 100 teacher Joey Wuertemberger for giving me a complete guide to the benefits of cross-hand chipping. His biggest answer? More consistent club face control to make better contact.
But how does this funky grip work, and is it something you should try for yourself? Wuertemberger explains below and encourages any player struggling with their short game to consider the switch.
The benefits of cross-hand chipping
“If you watch a golf event on TV, you’ve probably heard the commentators praise a player for being ‘creative’ in the short game,” Wuertemberger explains. “In most cases, they refer to the player’s ability to see and adapt to challenging lies, and then execute the precise shot needed to hit the pin close to the pin.”
So what helps the pros withstand that up-and-down pressure that so many amateurs struggle with? Wuertemberger says it all starts with better control of the clubface, which starts in the hands.
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“Pros are using more of a body-driven motion with less tension in their arms, allowing them to ‘still’ their hands to better control the clubhead path through impact in the short game,” he adds. “Thanks This improved contact allows them to execute the shot they envisioned before even addressing the ball.”
But just because a pro is a pro doesn’t mean the mid-handicapper reading this can’t steal some of his secrets to increase his up-and-down percentages. And one way, even if unconventional, is by chipping by hand, Würtemberger said.
“Cross-handed chipping promotes use of your larger muscles (like the shoulders and upper body),” he explains. “By simply switching your hands on the handle (with the left hand low for right-handers and the right hand low for left-handers), you gain a new sense of control and stability – which naturally helps release tension in the wrists and forearms, allowing for a smoother and more relaxed swing. This promotes a straighter, more controlled club path – a must if you’re looking for clean contact and more accurate shots.”
Wuertemberger says this new hand stability will free your mind and allow you to focus more on proper weight transfer and shoulder rotation – rather than trying to compensate for deficiencies in the downswing.
“Too many amateurs ‘break the wrists’ or ‘flip the club’ to save the shot at the last minute while chipping,” he says. “But there’s no consistency in making these small hand and wrist adjustments, and that’s why you’re probably cutting or cutting your wedges more often than you’d like.”
How to practice cross-hand chipping
Okay, now that you understand why cross-handed chipping can help your short game, Wuertemberger explains how to actually practice the unique technique – which simply starts with using your favorite wedge on the range to get the feel for the switch.
“Start by placing the lead hand under the trail hand on the club so that both hands feel comfortable. The lead hand should be firm but not too tight, allowing for smooth movement,” he instructs. “Next, shift 60 percent of your weight to the lead foot and place the ball just slightly back in your stance to promote a descending stroke.
“When swinging, use your shoulders instead of your hands. I suggest taking a small practice swing at a slow pace to feel how the cross grip calms your hands (and prevents excessive wrist movement) during the swing.
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After taking some practice swings, Wuertemberger reminds players to use solid fundamentals to make good contact.
“Pay attention to where the club head hits the ground and adjust the position of the ball accordingly, as you want contact with the ball first and not the ground behind it,” he adds. “Now hit six to eight basic chip shots and try to land the ball in a few different places on the green to see how far they extend. Once you feel comfortable, try introducing more variety, such as a bump-and-run or a few short pitches, to increase your creativity on the green.”
While cross-handed chipping may seem unusual, it can be a game-changer for the player who feels stuck with an inconsistent short game. So if you experience poor results while chipping and tend to chunk or thin chip shots, try switching to the cross grip, which can lead to better contact, more club face control, reduced wrist movement and more positive results.
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