Try Matt Fitzpatrick’s Cross-border Grip

The 153rd Open champion brought us some crazy shots and exciting performances, one of which was Matt Fitzpatrick, who finished the T4 and once again proved the solidity of his short game. His trademark cross-hand grip made a sensation in the 2025 PGA Tour season, especially after his performance at this year’s PGA Championship, where he finished the T8.

Fitzpatrick has relied on this technology for years and has played a role in his consistency in green. Fitzpatrick ranked tenth in the 30-yard competition.

Fitzpatrick’s crossover approach can rethink the technique around the green, golf teacher to watch, Parker McLachlin says his signature grip may be worth trying — and gives you a step-by-step “how” to try yourself.

What is cross-crumb?

If you’re still not quite sure what constitutes the grip of the straddle, let me provide a review. The cross-handed golfer’s grip or “left hand” is simple: place the left hand on the club than the right hand.

It may feel awkward at first, but this is a technique many golfers (including Fitzpatrick) have found to help them maintain stability and control around green. Although commonly used for placement, it is equally effective for debris, especially when Finesse is critical.

Why does it work?

McLachlin explains that cross grips can provide you with greater stability through impact and reduce wrist movements, helping you avoid those jerky or curved trends around the green.

By locking your hands in place, it becomes body movement rather than manual movement, which can provide players with greater stability and control around green, McLaklin said.

“With the cross-grip grip, you can’t get too involved in those little muscles,” McClarklin said.

Eliminating unnecessary movement also means you are unlikely to hit the chip or the unfortunate ball.

How to try

Toggle your grip: For right-handed golfers, move your left hand to the bottom of the grip and move your right hand upwards. It will feel unusual at first, but don’t let you throw you away.

Start with a simple chip: McLachlin said practicing short, low chips around the green.

“I’m going to start with a lower loft club, maybe nine irons, and swing the swing when the ball is holding 3 to 5 yards,” McClarklin said.

As for your setup keys, they are relatively poor as the same lens as the traditional grip. McLachlin said, get closer to the ball, keep your feet close to the ball, and then kick the ball back into your position – away from the trail.

Do some putter-style swings, if you can hit about 10 to 20 small shots, this will make you realize if this is a good change for your game.

According to McLachlin, the last part of the puzzle is figuring out which technology gives you the most confidence.

“It really matters, being confident is getting rid of different types of shots. Because confidence is everything. And a lot of the time, that’s what separates the people at the top of the rankings from the 30-year-old guys.”

Once you figure out which short game method gives you the greatest confidence, you will even start to notice that it will bleed into other areas of the game. Because when you are less afraid to miss the green (because you are afraid to make mistakes in short games), you will be more free to swing.

If you want to have a full soup on cross-crumbs – work hard, check out McLacklin’s latest series on his website Short Game Chef.

Shortgamechef.com, created by PGA Tour champion Parker McLachlin, provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short game. Through personalized techniques, drills and expert insights, Parker helps players at all levels gain greater confidence and gain a deeper understanding of their short games to lower their scores. you can Browse membership options here.