Cross Hand Chipping

[Pupini 10]

My name is Kyle and I have the chipping yips. I probably lose 4-5 shots per round chipping. Recently I played with a guy who was chipping cross handed (left hand low for RH players) and he said he decided to try it because he also suffered from the yips. I haven't tried it on the course yet, just my backyard and basement carpet, but I can see why it might work. At least for me it helps keep the left wrist firm.

Has anyone tried cross hand chipping and what have the results been?  Any feedback is welcome.

[Kenny B 23,225]

I remember a couple of PGA Tour pros have chipped that way.  I think one was VJ Singh, but it didn't last long with him.  

I have not tried it, but If it works for you, great!  Personally, I think you would be better in the long run to find out what's causing the yips and fix it.  There are other shots around the green where a cross-handed grip doesn't work very well, like lob shots and bunker shots.  You will be limiting your options when faced with unusual situations, and I've found that golf is full of unusual situations.  LOL

Rather than looking for alternatives, have you taken lessons to fix the yips?  A good instructor will know what the problem is and know how to help you fix it.  It could be a simple fix.

[CarlH 4,575]

One of the best players at our club chips cross handed.  He chipped normal for most of his golfing experience and it was always the weakest part of his game.  While he won many tournaments with his weak chipping, since going cross handed a few years ago, he is one formidable player.  He's in his mid sixties now and sports a 0 to +1 handicap.  It will take some time and practice to make it feel more comfortable to you, but it sure seems like a viable alternative to someone who has the tendency to chip-yip.  Good luck.

[fixyurdivot 8,519]

I've never heard of cross-handed chipping... it sounds painful .  I'm not sure how a grip change will resolve the "yips"... suspect it won't and agree with @Kenny Bthat you're likely better off addressing the problem another way; i.e. swing tempo, head down - no peeky drills, etc.  One technique I use for short chips is the silent metronome cadence combined with not looking at the ball after contact.  The vast majority of my chip-yips fall squarely into the "look up quick and you won't like what you see".  If you remind yourself of that during practice swings, it helps. 

[Crowev01 338]

23 hours ago, Pupini said:

My name is Kyle and I have the chipping yips. I probably lose 4-5 shots per round chipping. Recently I played with a guy who was chipping cross handed (left hand low for RH players) and he said he decided to try it because he also suffered from the yips. I haven't tried it on the course yet, just my backyard and basement carpet, but I can see why it might work. At least for me it helps keep the left wrist firm.

Has anyone tried cross hand chipping and what have the results been?  Any feedback is welcome.

Ahhhh yes. I was hoping to see this on here. There are several notable examples of cross handed chipping, (here's looking at you, Vijay) and even full cross handed swinging (Josh Broadaway.) It's even said that Ben Hogan was left handed, had a left handed five iron in his early days, and maintained a cross handed grip for all shots when he first played righty. I have tried it for fun as an LH person playing right handed, and it has its own challenges as well. It is for sure easier to stop chunked and thin chips as it basically eliminates the wrist action. However, distance control is very difficult and I didn't stick with it long enough to dial it in. While I am a full advocate of everyone swinging their swing, I would agree with the forum members that working on identifying the root cause of the chipping issue would be beneficial in the long term. You can still leave weight back or decelerate with whatever hand leads, so this, like all golf issues is impossibly complex. If its lack of confidence in your contact, maybe give it a try until you're ready to move into traditional chipping. I wish you the best of luck and please let us know if there is any more we can offer.

[SlowNLow 303]

Agree with @Kenny B, working on the technique will improve your confidence.   Confidence and the y-word can't co-exist.   

It has been my experience that the Martin Chuck's Tour Striker ball works great for smoothing out the chipping stroke, helps the hands, arms, body work together.    

If the Tour Striker ball isn't an option, there are other hacks which will do pretty much the same thing,  like a nerf football between the elbows, or a towel across the chest under both armpits, etc. Anything to keep arms and torso moving together.

Edited October 25, 2020 by SlowNLow

[Pupini 10]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I am pretty sure most of my problem is mental. When go to the short game area and practice chipping I look great with tons of confidence. When I get on the course, it is a different story. The frustrating part is that I used to be really good a chipping. I think I will continue practicing the cross handed chip in basement for a while and get some lessons in the spring. It will be an interesting journey to say the least. 

[Haro 34]

I haven’t try that    I do practice chipping lefty and that help smooth out my tempo Sometimes what happens when I “chip yip”is that I look at the hole rather than the spot somewhere  between the hole and ball and ball zooms by the hole.  
I find trying to swing/putt in the other direction no matter how awkward it feels helps me a lot 
Good luck at crosshanded chipping 

Edited October 31, 2020 by Haro