Indoor crossing drills to improve contact
People talk a lot about the backswing but forget what comes next. For Trillium Rose, a Titleist team pro, better contact comes down to the follow-through: keeping your arms long and maintaining the angle of your upper body. Here are two exercises you can do in your living room.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
The club has only one small airstrip as the ball passes by. If the arms bend too quickly and bring the club closer to the body, this reduces the amount of time the club has to strike the center of the clubface—or even knocks it off course. Trillium Rose, on the other hand, wants the club to lingers in the strike zone, long arms. Second point: maintain your posture. Standing up too early—especially with your upper body—pulls the club toward you or causes it to lift off the ground.
First exercise: Hold a club behind your shoulders, lean your upper body forward at a 35- to 45° angle, and perform a lift followed by a cross-body movement, ideally in front of a mirror. The shoulders should remain tilted, with the right shoulder pointing toward the divot, instead of flattening out. Second exercise: with arms extended in front of you, pivot on your front foot while facing the target, look over your right shoulder, and lean toward where the ball was. This brings you back to the through position. Check for arms extended at least to the horizontal before letting them bend. She emphasizes: Use your glutes, thighs, and abs to support your body and protect your lower back.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Place a club behind your shoulders, on your shoulder blades.
- Lean your upper body forward at an angle of about 35 to 45°, ideally in front of a mirror or a window.
- Make a backswing, then a through-swing, keeping your shoulders tilted.
- Make sure your right shoulder is pointing toward the ground, where the divot would be.
- Pick up a club again and perform slow swings, keeping your arms extended until they are horizontal, then let them bend.
- Shortcut: With your arms extended in front of you, pivot on your front foot while facing the target, look over your right shoulder, and lean toward where the ball is.
- Keep your glutes, thighs, and abs engaged throughout the entire exercise.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Bend your arms and keep your elbows close to your body immediately after impact.
- Straighten your upper body as you cross.
- Let your shoulders drop after the ball.
- Hold the position using your lower back instead of your large muscles.
- Forget about the follow-through and focus only on the backswing.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Club behind the shoulders while facing a mirror
- Slow strokes, arms extended to the horizontal
- Shortcut with arms outstretched to return to the starting position
- Plan for the ceiling height and stop if you experience back pain
Your Questions
Why does the crossing affect contact?
Trillium Rose explains that the club has only a small path as the ball passes through. Arms that bend too quickly bring the club closer to the body and reduce the chances of hitting the center of the clubface.
What should you check in the mirror?
The angle of the shoulders. During the swing, they remain angled, with the right shoulder pointing toward the divot. If they flatten out, you’ve stood up.
How far should the arms remain outstretched?
At least until they're horizontal. After that, they can bend normally.
Can exercise hurt your back?
She warns: You need to engage your glutes, hamstrings, thighs, and abs to maintain this position; otherwise, you'll feel it in your lower back. Stop if you feel any pain.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Trillium Rose). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.