Trevor Ng
Golfers of all skill levels can fall victim to the dreaded shank, where the hosel of the club strikes the ball instead of the clubface, leading to poor outcomes and confidence issues. While shanking can be caused by a variety of factors, such as improper posture, excessive wrist extension, or a swing path that is too shallow or steep, it is a curable and preventable issue. To stop shanking, golfers must first identify the underlying cause and then make adjustments to their technique, such as improving their posture, controlling wrist extension, or adjusting their swing path. With proper fundamentals and practice techniques, golfers can overcome shanking and improve their game.
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What You'll Learn
Control your wrist extension
Golfers of all abilities dread the shank, and it can be hard to diagnose and eliminate. One of the key causes of a shank is excessive wrist extension, which leaves the face open and exposes the hosel. To avoid this, you need to control your wrist extension throughout the swing.
First, at the setup, a slight extension in the lead wrist is normal. Next, from the setup to the top of the backswing, no additional extension should be added to the lead wrist. Then, from the top of the backswing to impact, extension is eliminated. At impact, the lead wrist should be flat or flexed. From this position, shanking the ball is very difficult.
To improve your wrist extension during the downswing, you can practice the Motorcycle Drill. This involves feeling the motion of revving a motorcycle throttle in your lead wrist on the downswing. You can also work on this in real-time using the HackMotion app, which provides feedback on your extension data.
Another way to control your wrist extension is to focus on your posture. A shank often occurs when a player's weight gets too far forward onto their toes, causing a lean forward. This brings the hosel into play. To avoid this, make sure your weight is on the balls of your feet at address, and keep your head behind the ball. You can also try tilting your spine more towards the ground at address, which will help steepen your downswing and keep the hosel further away from the ball.
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Improve your posture
To stop shanking the ball, it is important to focus on improving your posture. Here are some tips to improve your posture and prevent shanking:
Maintain a balanced and stable position
Keep your body in a balanced and stable position throughout your swing. Ensure your spine is straight and not hunched over, with your shoulders back and relaxed. Avoid leaning forward or backward, as this can cause you to lose control of the clubface and increase the likelihood of hitting the ball with the heel of the club.
Keep your weight centered
Distribute your weight evenly on the balls of your feet at the address. As you swing, shift your weight so that 60% is on your front foot at the top of the backswing and 90% is on your front foot at impact. Maintaining proper weight distribution helps to stabilise your swing and prevent shanks.
Avoid excessive wrist extension
Excessive wrist extension can lead to an open clubface at impact, increasing the likelihood of hitting the hosel instead of the centre of the clubface. Work on flattening your lead wrist during the transition to reduce the risk of shanking.
Improve shoulder flexibility
Perform shoulder stretches to enhance your range of motion and strengthen your shoulder muscles. This will help you maintain better posture and control throughout your swing, reducing the chances of shanking.
Correct head movement
Keep your head steady and avoid excessive movement or lifting during your swing. Maintaining a stable head position helps to stabilise your posture and improve the consistency of your swing, reducing the occurrence of shanks.
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Adjust your grip
Adjusting your grip is a key way to prevent shanking. A shank occurs when the ball hits the hosel of the club, where the clubhead and shaft meet. This often happens when the golfer's weight gets too far forward on their toes, causing a lean forward and bringing the hosel into play.
To prevent this, it is important to maintain a good grip on the club. Your grip should be light, with your forearms relaxed and free of tension. Aim for a grip that feels like a 4 or 5 out of 10 in strength, where 10 is a tight death grip and 1 is the club falling out of your hand.
Additionally, ensure that your clubface is neutral and square at impact. If your clubface is open, the ball will tend to slice, and if it is closed, it will produce a pull or a hook. Adjust your grip so that the clubface is in a neutral position, and make sure that your swing path is not too far inside or outside.
Another way to adjust your grip to prevent shanking is to focus on your wrist position. A common cause of shanking is excessive lead wrist extension, which leaves the clubface open and exposes the hosel. To prevent this, work on flattening your lead wrist during the transition and impact phases of your swing. Practice the Motorcycle Drill, which involves twisting your lead wrist as if you are revving a motorcycle throttle, to improve your wrist extension and prevent shanking.
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Slow down your swing
Slowing down your swing can be an effective way to stop shanking irons in golf. Shanking occurs when the ball hits the hosel of the club, which is where the clubhead and shaft meet. This often happens when a player's weight shifts too far forward onto their toes, causing a lean forward. As a result, the centre of the clubface does not strike the ball as intended, leading to a shank.
To prevent shanking, it is important to maintain proper balance throughout the swing. This involves keeping your weight back on the balls of your feet at address, which helps produce better balance. Additionally, aim for a neutral clubface by avoiding excessive opening or closing of the clubface. This can be achieved by adjusting your grip and ensuring the ball is placed in the centre of the clubface.
One way to improve your swing tempo is to practice swinging in slow motion. By slowing down, you can focus on maintaining a consistent pace throughout the swing. This can help prevent rushing or overextending during the downswing, which can lead to shanking.
Another technique to slow down your swing is to work on your wrist extension. Excessive wrist extension can leave the clubface open, exposing the hosel. Practicing the Motorcycle Drill can help improve your wrist extension during the downswing. This involves twisting your lead wrist as if you're revving a motorcycle throttle, which closes the clubface and reduces the risk of shanking.
While slowing down your swing can be beneficial, it is important to note that shanking can also be caused by other factors such as posture, path, and wrist angles. Therefore, it is recommended to identify the specific cause of your shanking and seek guidance from a golf coach to develop a comprehensive solution.
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Move your weight back
A shank in golf is when the ball hits the hosel of the club, which is where the clubhead and the shaft meet. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, an incorrect grip, or a swing that is too shallow or too steep. One common issue is when a player's weight gets too far forward onto their toes, causing a lean forward. This brings the hosel into play and can result in a shank.
To prevent this, it is important to move your weight back into the balls of your feet at address. This will help produce better balance throughout the swing and keep the hosel away from the ball. It is important to stand tall and keep your head behind the ball, maintaining good golf posture. This will help you stay more balanced with your club on the correct swing plane.
Additionally, you can try tilting your spine more towards the ground at address. This will help you make a steeper shoulder turn and allow your arms to lift higher, keeping the hosel further away from the ball. This is particularly useful for preventing the ""outside-in" type of shank, where the heel of the club moves across the target line due to a steep swing.
By focusing on moving your weight back and maintaining good posture, you can help eliminate shanks from your game and improve your consistency. It is also important to note that slowing down your swing and focusing on technique can help prevent shanks, as they are often caused by excessive speed and tension.
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