Matt Fitzpatrick has a small secret in his short game that at first glance seems absurd, but has elevated his chipping performance to a new level: He chips with a cross-handed grip. This unorthodox technique, where the lead hand is below the trailing hand, is his ace in the hole to quiet the wrists and counteract the dreaded "flipping." Instead of power, surgical precision is what counts here, ensuring a stable clubhead, predictable contact, and consistent roll.
Fitzpatrick's Secret Weapon Against Short Game Nightmares
Why does Matt Fitzpatrick, a Major Champion, swear by this method? It's simple: The cross-handed grip eliminates excessive wrist action. We all know it – that annoying breakdown of the lead wrist that causes chips to be fat, thin, or topped. With Fitzpatrick's approach, the motion becomes more compact, led more by the shoulders and arms. This ensures the club and clubface return to the ball much more consistently. It's the perfect weapon for his short-game approach, which is geared towards control and repeatability. Under pressure, he neutralizes unwanted wrist movements with this simple adjustment.
Not a Panacea, but a Game-Changer
Of course, this grip variation isn't a miracle cure for every golfer. Setup, ball position, club selection, and the correct landing zone remain crucial for success. Those who want to try the technique themselves should start small: short chips, keeping the lower body quiet, and actively swinging through the ball. A comparison with their usual grip will quickly show if strike quality and roll improve. Matt Fitzpatrick is not only a champion on the big stages; he also experiments diligently. Whether he will use this technique if he potentially starts at the Abu Dhabi Playoff Event of the DP World Tour in 2026 remains to be seen, but his short game is certainly on a very strong path.
