Harper Lin
Golf shanks are a golfer's worst nightmare. It's when the golf ball veers off at a 45-degree angle, usually to the right, due to the hosel hitting the ball instead of the clubface. It can happen to anyone, even PGA Tour pros like Ian Poulter. But don't despair, there are ways to cure the shanks. From simple drills to grip adjustments and swing corrections, you can overcome this destructive shot and get your golf game back on track. Let's dive into the strategies that will help you say goodbye to those embarrassing shanks for good.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of golf shanks | The golf ball impacts the hosel rather than the clubface |
| What to do mid-round | Focus on a blade of grass to the inside of the golf ball and make sure the middle of the clubface hits that blade of grass |
| What to do when practising | Place a cardboard box, pillow, or other soft material on the ground in front of you, 1/2 inch beyond the toe of the golf club when addressing the ball |
| Grip | Strengthen your grip. Turn your left hand more towards the right to make it easier to release the hands through impact so the clubface won't be wide open when you strike the ball |
| Swing path | Swing more from the inside out. Start the takeaway inside your target line and let the body initiate the downswing to prevent "coming over the top" with the club |
| Stance | Stand tall with your chest up during the swing, don't hold the club too tightly, and make sure your weight isn't on your toes |
| Drills | Grip the club with your left hand only and a narrow stance. Take half swings with your right hand in your back pocket |
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What You'll Learn
Take a break from the course and practice the basics
Golf shanks are a common problem that can affect players of all levels, from beginners to PGA Tour pros. It can be a humiliating and confidence-killing experience, but it's important to remember that you're not alone in this struggle and that there are effective strategies to overcome it. One approach to curing your golf shanks is to take a step back from the course and focus on refining the fundamentals. Here's a detailed guide to help you tackle those shanks by practising the basics:
Step 1: Understand the Shank
Before you can effectively address the shank, it's crucial to understand what causes it. A shank occurs when the hosel or neck of the club strikes the ball instead of the clubface, resulting in the ball shooting off at a sharp angle, often to the right for right-handed golfers. This can be caused by various factors, including an open club face, a weak grip, or improper hand and body positioning during the swing.
Step 2: Check Your Basics
Take a break from the course and head to the practice range. Start by evaluating your stance and grip. Ensure that you're standing tall with your chest up during the swing. Check that your grip is firm but not too tight, and make sure your weight remains balanced and doesn't shift towards your toes. These fundamental aspects are often overlooked but can have a significant impact on your shot.
Step 3: Refine Your Grip
Instructors like Jeff Yurkiewicz emphasise the importance of a proper grip. For right-handed golfers, a weak grip is when the left hand is turned too far to the left, exposing only one knuckle. To correct this, turn your left hand more towards the right, ensuring the clubface is in the desired square position when you strike the ball. This simple adjustment can reduce the likelihood of shanking.
Step 4: Modify Your Swing Path
Yurkiewicz also recommends modifying your swing path. Start your takeaway inside the target line, and let your body initiate the downswing. This helps prevent "coming over the top" with the club. Focus on keeping your hands closer to your body during the downswing. You may need to slow down your swing temporarily to ingrain this muscle memory. Practise this swing path consistently to reduce shanks.
Step 5: Drill for Accuracy
Instructors like David Leadbetter suggest a simple drill to improve accuracy. Set up as if you're going to hit the ball, then place a tee in the ground just outside the toe of the club. This drill helps you focus on striking the ball with the middle or toe of the clubface, reducing the chances of hitting the hosel and shanking the shot.
Step 6: Practice with a Barrier
Instructor Dave Pelz recommends a drill called "The Shanker's Delight." Place a cardboard box, pillow, or soft material on the ground, about half an inch beyond the toe of the golf club when you address the ball. This barrier helps you visualise and practise striking the ball with the clubface, reducing the chances of shanking.
Remember, curing golf shanks takes time and dedication. Don't be too hard on yourself, and focus on consistently applying these basic principles to your practice routine. With patience and persistence, you'll be well on your way to overcoming those shanks and regaining your confidence on the course.
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Strengthen your grip
Golf shanks can be a terrifying and embarrassing experience for any golfer, but there are ways to cure them. One of the key ways to do this is by strengthening your grip.
A shank is when the golf ball hits the hosel, or shaft, of the club rather than the clubface, causing the ball to shoot off at a 45-degree angle. This can be caused by a number of factors, including an open club face and a cast pattern during the transition and release.
One way to strengthen your grip and avoid shanks is to focus on keeping your hands closer to your body during the downswing. This will help to ensure that the clubface connects with the ball rather than the hosel. You may need to slow down your swing initially to get the feel for this, as a faster swing will naturally pull your hands out further.
Another tip is to grip the club with your left hand only and take half swings with your right hand in your back pocket. This will help you to feel the correct position of the clubface in relation to your body.
Additionally, you can try a drill suggested by Leadbetter: set up as usual, then put a tee in the ground just outside the toe of the club. During your swing, focus on keeping the grip end of the club near your body. If you miss the tee, you'll hit the ball in the centre of the clubface.
Finally, it's important to have a neutral or 'perfect' grip to avoid shanking. This involves ensuring you have the correct ball position and grip pressure. Leave a gap of approximately a hand's width between your tight and the butt of the club to create the perfect posture and distance from the ball.
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Focus on a blade of grass to the inside of the golf ball
Golf shanks are a terrifying experience for any golfer. One minute your swing is fine, and the next your ball is shooting off at a 45-degree angle. It can be humiliating and embarrassing, and it can kill your confidence.
Shanks are caused by an open club face and a cast pattern during the transition and release 95% of the time. So, to cure this, you need to close the club face and try to intentionally swing and miss the ball to the inside (closer to you) from a normal address position. This will get your contact away from the hosel and towards the centre of the clubface.
One of the best ways to do this is to focus on a blade of grass to the inside of the golf ball. With your next swing, make sure the middle of the clubface hits that blade of grass. This simple trick exposes the middle (or even toe) of the clubface and divorces your swing from the hosel.
So, if you're suffering from the dreaded shanks, remember to focus on that blade of grass and keep your swing nice and smooth. You'll be back to your confident self in no time!
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Close the club face
Closing the club face is one of the best ways to cure a golf shank. Shanks are caused by an open club face and a cast pattern during the transition and release 95% of the time. Closing the club face involves intentionally swinging and missing the ball to the inside (closer to you) from a normal address position. This can be achieved by focusing on a blade of grass to the inside of the golf ball and ensuring that the middle of the clubface hits that blade of grass.
To understand what type of shank you have, you can use a golf analyser to determine your swing path and identify any issues. You can also video your swing in slow motion to see what is happening at impact. If your hands are moving too far away from your body during the downswing, your strikes will get closer to the heel, which can lead to shanks. To correct this, focus on keeping your hands closer to your body during the downswing, even if it means slowing down your swing.
Additionally, maintaining proper posture can help prevent shanks. Allow your arms to hang down, arch your back slightly, and keep your weight on the balls of your feet. Keep a firm but light grip on the club, and adjust your balance throughout your swing. Start with a 50/50 weight distribution between your front and back foot, and adjust to 60/40 at the top of your backswing, aiming for 90/10 as you hit the ball.
By following these tips and focusing on closing the club face, you can effectively cure golf shanks and improve your game.
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Practice with a barrier
Golfers dread hitting a shank, which happens when the ball is struck with the neck or hosel of the club rather than on the clubface, causing the ball to shoot off at a 45-degree angle. To cure this, instructor Dave Pelz has devised a practice drill called "The Shanker's Delight". This involves placing a barrier, such as a cardboard box or pillow, on the ground in front of you, half an inch beyond the toe of the golf club when addressing the ball.
This barrier serves as a guide and a safety net, helping you adjust your swing path to avoid shanks. Here's how you can incorporate this drill into your practice routine:
Set Up the Barrier
Place a cardboard box, pillow, or any other soft material on the ground, ensuring it is positioned correctly relative to your stance and the golf club. This barrier should be half an inch beyond the toe of the golf club when you are addressing the ball.
Visualize the Correct Swing Path
Before taking your swing, visualize the ideal swing path that will help you avoid shanks. This involves swinging from the inside out, ensuring that the middle or toe of the clubface connects with the ball, not the hosel.
Practice Swings with the Barrier
Take practice swings, focusing on the blade of grass inside the golf ball, as Mark Durland suggests. Make sure the clubface hits that imaginary blade of grass, exposing the middle or toe of the clubface. This practice helps divorce your swing from the hosel, reducing the chances of shanking.
Adjust Your Grip
As instructor Jeff Yurkiewicz recommends, strengthen your grip by turning your left hand more toward the right. This makes it easier to release the hands through impact, ensuring the clubface is in the desired square position when striking the ball.
Monitor Your Progress
Use a video recording to analyse your swing in slow motion. This will help you identify any remaining issues with your swing path or clubface angle, allowing you to make adjustments accordingly.
Remember, curing golf shanks requires patience and consistent practice. By incorporating "The Shanker's Delight" drill into your routine, you'll develop a more controlled swing that avoids the dreaded shanks.
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