There are many frustrating shots in golf, but the “double cross” shot is close to being one of the worst. For beginners looking to enhance their grasp of the game, it is important to understand how and why this happens.
The double cross shot occurs when you intend to play a fade, a shot that starts left and gently curves back to the right (for right-handed golfers), but instead you produce a draw, where the ball curves unexpectedly in the opposite direction. This can leave you in a lot of trouble, often resulting in a penalty shot.
To stop the double cross, it is essential to work on your swing mechanics, focusing on proper body rotation, weight transfer, grip, and swing plane.
By understanding why and how a double cross happens and working on the correct things to prevent it, you can gain greater control over your shots and improve your scores. I will cover the below topics in the article, let’s dive in.
- Understanding a double cross shot
- Tip on how to fix a double cross shot
- How to recover from a double cross shot
- Can you use the double cross in certain situations?
Understanding a Double Cross Shot
Causes and Factors that Lead to a Double Cross:
As a beginner golfer, it’s crucial to understand the causes and factors that contribute to a double cross shot.
- Swing Path: Having a swing path that is excessively out to in can cause the double cross shot. When you have an excessive out to in swing path your hands have to work extra hard to make sure the ball goes in the intended direction. This will cause inconsistency with your clubface position at impact. If your path is out to in, and your clubface is closed to the path your ball will hook instead of fade. If you have an inconsistent swing path this could cause a double cross.
- Weight Transfer: Falling back through impact can cause the double cross shot. When falling back on the ball your path moves out to in and your hands need to flick/flip to try make square contact. This may result in your hands over flipping making the ball hook.
- Weak Grip/Open Clubface: When you have a weak grip or open clubface you will need to flick/flip your hands at impact to try to get the clubface square. Similar to the weight transfer, your hands may over flick/flip causing you to hit a double cross.
- Body Rotation: Poor body rotation will also cause you to hit a double cross. When your body rotates during the swing it naturally squares your clubface at impact. When you don’t rotate your body your path will be out to in and you have to flick/flip your hands at the ball to try square the clubface up, this may cause your hands to over rotate causing you to hit a double cross.
Impact on the Golf Ball’s Flight and Direction:
A double cross has a significant impact on the flight and direction of the golf ball. When you aim for a fade, intending the ball to start left and gently curve back to the right (for right-handed golfers), a double cross will cause the ball to curve even further to the left. Similarly, for left-handed golfers attempting a fade, the ball would veer even more to the right.
This unexpected curvature can result in shots that miss the fairway, greens or even out of bounds.
Common Scenarios Where a Double Cross Can Occur:
- When you try swing too hard
- When you fall back through impact
- When you try play too big of a fade
- When you do not rotate enough throughout the swing
- When you use a weak grip
- When your club face is too open on the back swing and down swing
Tip On How To Fix A Double Cross Shot
1. Improve Your Swing Path
99% of the time an out-to-in swing path can cause a double cross shot. The best way to fix this is with a drill.
I call it ‘the bottle drill’. Essentially getting your path more from the inside or ‘in to out’ will promote more consistency with your clubface and path relationship.
I dive into some more detail on the bottle drill in this article.
2. Weight Transfer
Falling back through impact forces you to flick/flip your hands at the ball, it also forces your swing path to be out-to-in.
The stepping drill is great for this. It forces you to drive your weight forward through impact, preventing you from falling back and stopping the potential double cross.
I explain the stepping drill in this article.
3. Weak Grip/Open Clubface
A weak grip or open clubface forces you to flick/flip your hands at the ball at impact. This can cause over rotation in your hands causing you to hit a double cross shot.
Having a stronger grip or stronger club face can prevent this.
I explain how to hold the club correctly in this article. But here are some pictures to help you out.
4. Body Rotation
Rotating your body helps maintain a strong face angle as well as helps square the club face up at impact. This will prevent you from hitting a double cross shot. Follow the steps below to make sure you rotate correctly.
- Make sure your takeaway is in one piece, do not hinge your wrist too early. Feel like your hands, arms, chest and shoulders turn together.
- About ¼ back or about 2 feet you’ll need to start hinging your wrists and turning your hips.
- From there make a full turn and feel like your weight has shifted slightly to the right side. Your right leg (right handed golfers) should be almost straight.
- Try to start your downswing with your hips, this will help your arms fall into place and not swing out to in.
- Now start rotating your hips while you swing your arms, chest and hands towards the ball.
- Finish on your left side (right handed golfers) and hold your finish.
Rotating like this will help you to stop hitting the double cross shot.
How to recover from a double cross shot
Tips for hitting recovery shots
You will need to learn to hit high or low shots, when hitting the double cross you can get yourself into some trouble. Being able to hit these shots can save your score. I dive into how to play these shots in this article.
Course management strategies
If the double cross shot has crept into your game it can be very hard to manage as your don’t really know when you will hit in, this tips below can help you try minimize the double cross shot by planning your way around the course better
- Don’t hit a specific club if you tend to double cross it, like your driver.
- If there is trouble on the left try aiming a little straighter or take a club that won’t reach the trouble.
- Make sure you practice your short game before the round, this can really save you some shots when you get into trouble.
- Remember to take deep breaths and focus on your breathing, this will help lower your heart rate and prevent nerves from creeping in.
Can you use the double cross in certain situations?
Would there be situations where you would want to use this type of shot?
The answer is no, a double cross is a swing fault, you should never try hitting a shot while intentionally making a swing error.
The correct shot would be a hook. This is often played when trying to get around an obstacle or hitting against a left to right wind (right handed golfer).
I speak about hitting a draw in this article, you can use the same concept when trying to hit a hook, this club face should be slightly more closed.
Final Words
In conclusion, the double cross shot in golf can be one of the most frustrating shots to hit when playing a round of golf. Understanding the reason why you hit the double cross is essential for beginner golfers looking to improve their game or experienced campaigners.
Issues such as swing path, weight transfer, grip, and body rotation can all lead to this undesirable shot.
To fix a double cross, it is important to work on specific aspects of your swing mechanics. Practicing drills that promote an inside-out swing path, improving weight transfer through impact, adjusting grip, and focusing on proper body rotation can help prevent his shot.
Recovering from a double cross shot can get you out of a lot of trouble. Learning to hit high or low shots can be beneficial in challenging situations. Additionally, employing effective course management strategies, such as avoiding specific clubs that tend to produce a double cross or adjusting your aim to avoid trouble.
