Should you try cross-arm shredding? Here’s what you need to know

The beauty of golf is that no two players are exactly alike, so we tend to use different techniques (no matter how unorthodox) to be as comfortable as possible with the club swing. And this confusion begins with the catch.

Although you can think about different deployment handles since it’s where players experiment the most, another area worth exploring is the hand cut grip, which isn’t hugely popular but can be extremely effective in improving your short game.

So is it really all it’s cracked up to be?

To find out, I asked him GOLF Top 100 Teachers Joey Wuertemberger for giving me a complete guide on the benefits of cross-arm shredding. His biggest response? More consistent clubface control to help 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 who struggles with his short game to consider the change.

The benefits of hand-crossed shredding

“When you watch a golf event on TV, you’ve probably heard the commentators praise a player for being ‘creative’ in the short game,” explains Wuertemberger. “In most cases, they refer to the player’s ability to see and adjust to challenging lies, and then execute the precise shot required to knock it close to the post.”

So what helps pros get rid of that tight up-and-down pressure that so many amateurs struggle with? Wuertemberger says it all starts with better control of the clubface – which starts with the hands.

“Pros use more of a body-directed swing with reduced tension on their arms, helping them ‘calm down’ their hands to better control the path of the clubhead through impact in the short game,” adds he. “This improved contact allows them to execute the shot they envisioned before driving the ball.”

But just because a pro is a pro doesn’t mean the handicapper reading this can’t steal some of their secrets to boost their percentages up and down. And one way, though unusual, is to try shredding by hand, according to Wuertemberger.

“Cross-handed drinking promotes the use of your larger muscles (like your shoulders and upper torso),” he explains. “By simply switching hands (left hand down for righties and right hand for lefties), you gain a new sense of control and stability – which helps reduce tension on the wrists and forearms to allow for a smoother, more relaxed swing encourages a straighter, more controlled club path – a must when looking for clean contact and more accurate shots.”

Wuertemberger says this new hand stability will free up your mind and allow you to focus more on proper weight transfer and shoulder rotation—rather than trying to compensate for landing flaws.

“Many amateurs either ‘break their wrists’ or ‘flip the club’ to save the shot at the last moment by chipping,” he says. “But there’s no consistency when you make these little adjustments to your hands and wrists, which is why you’re probably cutting or chipping your wedges more often than you’d like.”

How to practice slicing with crossed hands

OK, so 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 help getting a feel for the key.

“Start by placing your lead hand under your trailing hand on the club, making sure both hands feel comfortable. The lead hand should be firm but not too tight, which helps to allow for smooth movement,” he instructs. “Next, shift 60 percent of your weight to your lead foot and place the ball slightly back in your stance to induce a downhill stroke.

“When you swing, use your shoulders, not your hands. I suggest taking a few small practice swings at a slow pace to get a feel for how the cross-hand grip calms your hands (and prevents excessive wrist movement) throughout the swing.”

After a few practice swings, Wuertemberger reminds players to use solid bases to make good contact.

“Notice where the clubhead hits the ground and adjust your ball position accordingly, as you want contact with the ball first and not the ground behind it,” he adds. “Now hit the standard 6-by-8 tee shot, trying to land the ball in a few different places on the green to see how far they’ll go. Once you feel comfortable, try incorporating more variety, such as a bump and run or a few short steps to increase your creativity around the green.”

While cross-hand cutting 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 cutting results and tend to chip or thin shots, try switching to the cross-hand grip, which can lead to better contact, increased footface control, reduced wrist motion and more positive results.

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