Trevor Ng
Golf shanks are a common issue that can ruin a game. Shanks are caused by a variety of factors, including stance, posture, grip, and swing. Understanding the causes of shanks can help players improve their game and avoid frustration. Shanking can be caused by standing too close or too far from the ball, which affects the player's spine angle and weight distribution. This can lead to an open-faced shank or an out-to-in swing path. Additionally, a weak grip can cause the club to move during the swing, resulting in a shank. Lower body movement during the downswing, such as sliding the knees towards the target, can also lead to shanks. By addressing these issues and making adjustments to their stance, posture, and swing, players can reduce the occurrence of shanks and improve their overall game.
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What You'll Learn
Standing too close or too far from the ball
If you stand too close to the ball, you will lose your spine angle in the downswing. This will cause you to lift up out of the shot and hit an open-faced shank. When you stand too close to the ball, your hands will be too tucked into your thighs, creating a cramped feeling. This can throw your swing path out and be one of the main causes of a shank.
Standing too far from the ball can also cause a shank, although it is less common. This is because the momentum of the swing will likely cause you to lean into the ball through impact, with the shank being a common result. Standing too far from the ball will result in poor posture, which could lead to inconsistent shots and a loss of control over the ball.
The length of the club shaft determines how far you stand from the ball. The longer shaft in your driver and woods will automatically mean that you are stood further from the ball at address. The higher the iron, the shorter the shaft. The distance between your arms and thighs should remain constant.
To check if you are standing the correct distance from the ball, set up to the golf ball and once you are comfortable, let go of the club with your trail hand. If your hand swings closer to your body, you are standing too far away from the ball. If your hand swings out in front of the club, you are standing too close to the ball. If your hand swings even with the grip, parallel to your body, then you are the perfect distance from the ball.
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Incorrect grip pressure
Golfers should pay attention to their grip pressure to avoid shanking the golf ball. A shank occurs when the hosel, or the neck of the club, strikes the ball instead of the clubface. This can happen when golfers have a light grip pressure, causing the club to move in their hands during the swing.
To avoid shanking, golfers should start with a secure yet relaxed grip and adjust their pressure throughout the swing. The grip should be firm enough to hold the club but soft enough to allow freedom of movement. Golfers should aim for a grip pressure that is strong enough to control the club but not so tight that it causes tension in the arms and shoulders, hindering fluid movements.
At the start of the downswing, golfers should apply more pressure to their grip, but it should feel like a pulling or twisting motion rather than a simple squeeze. As they approach the ball, the grip pressure should be released.
To check your grip pressure, you can place grass on top of your left thumb and between the club and the pad of your left hand. If your grip pressure is too light, the grass will fall.
In addition to grip pressure, golfers should also be mindful of their distance from the ball. Standing too close can cause you to lift up out of the shot and hit an open-faced shank, while standing too far away can cause you to lean into the ball and shank.
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Lower body 'slide'
A shank in golf can be caused by a variety of factors, one of which is the "lower body slide". This occurs when there is improper weight distribution, causing the knees and hips to slide towards the target during the downswing. This movement results in the hosel, the part of the club where the shaft meets the club head, leading into the ball and causing a shank.
To correct this issue, it is important to focus on stabilising the lower body during the downswing. One effective drill is to place your golf bag next to your left hip at the address. As you initiate the downswing, your hips should bump into the bag, after which your lower body turns without sliding towards the target. If you find yourself clattering into the bag, it indicates that your lower body requires more stability.
Another contributing factor to the "lower body slide" is early extension, which refers to the hips moving towards the ball during the downswing. This action cramps the golfer through impact, forcing the hosel to lead into the ball. To rectify this, ensure that your weight distribution is correct and that you are not leaning too far forward on your toes, which can cause the club face to connect with the hosel rather than the ball.
Additionally, the "lower body slide" can be influenced by the distance between the golfer and the ball. Standing too close to the ball can result in losing the spine angle during the downswing, causing a lift out of the shot and an open-faced shank. Conversely, standing too far away can cause the momentum of the swing to propel the golfer forward, leading to a shank. It is crucial to maintain the proper posture, with the shoulders positioned over the middle of the feet and the weight distributed over the balls of the feet.
By addressing these issues and focusing on stabilising the lower body, golfers can effectively mitigate the "lower body slide" and improve their performance.
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Incorrect posture
To maintain the correct posture, bend from your hips with a slight knee flex, keeping your back straight. This posture allows for a more consistent swing plane and reduces the chances of the hosel making contact with the ball. It is important to regularly check and adjust your posture to avoid shanks.
One common mistake is standing too close to the ball, which can force an awkward swing path and increase the chances of a shank. To correct this, take a step back from the ball, allowing for a more relaxed and natural swing. It is also important to ensure that your arms are hanging down, your back is arched (not too bent or straight), and your weight is on the balls of your feet.
Another cause of shanks is a slide in the downswing, where the knees move towards the ball, causing the hosel to lead. To stabilise your lower body, a drill can be performed where a golf bag is placed next to the left hip at the address. As the downswing begins, the hips should bump into the bag, and then the lower body turns without sliding towards the target.
Additionally, a weak grip can result in an open clubface at impact, increasing the likelihood of hitting the ball with the hosel. To find the right grip balance, ensure your hands are positioned correctly on the club, with the V's formed by your thumbs and forefingers pointing between your right shoulder and chin (for right-handed golfers). Experimenting with grip strength can also help prevent shanks.
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Poor weight distribution
Additionally, standing too far away from the ball can cause weight distribution issues, leading to a loss of spine angle in the downswing. This, in turn, causes golfers to lift up out of the shot, resulting in an open-faced shank. To avoid this, it is recommended to stand closer to the ball, promoting an "in-to-out" swing path.
Another factor to consider is the position of the golfer's lower body during the downswing. A "lower-body slide" occurs when the knees move towards the target, causing the hosel to lead and potentially resulting in a shank. To prevent this, golfers can perform a drill where they place their golf bag next to their left hip at address. During the downswing, the hips should bump into the bag, and then the lower body can turn without sliding towards the target.
Furthermore, golfers should be mindful of their grip pressure. A grip that is too light can cause the club to move in the hands during the swing, leading to instability. To correct this, golfers can perform a grip pressure drill by placing grass on top of their left thumb and between the club and the pad of their left hand. If the grass falls during the swing, it indicates that the grip pressure is too light.
By addressing these weight distribution issues, golfers can improve their swing mechanics and reduce the occurrence of shanks.
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Frequently asked questions
A shank is a shot that results from striking the ball with the hosel (the part where the clubhead meets the shaft) instead of the clubface. Shanks often send the ball veering off at a sharp angle, typically towards the right.
There are several reasons why a golfer might shank the ball. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Standing too close or too far from the ball.
- Incorrect posture or spine angle during the swing, often caused by leaning forward or standing up during the downswing.
- Incorrect weight distribution, such as having weight on the toes or front of the feet.
- Lower body "slide," where the knees move towards the target during the downswing.
- Grip pressure that is too light, causing the club to move in the hands during the swing.
To fix your shanks, you need to identify and address the underlying cause. Here are some general tips:
- Understand the correct swing stance and club position for your swing.
- Maintain proper posture, with a slightly arched back and weight on the balls of your feet.
- Keep a firm but light grip on the club.
- Focus on keeping the club straight from back to follow through to avoid an out-to-in or in-to-out swing.
- Ensure your chest is up and your weight isn't shifting forward on the downswing.
Improving your swing technique can help eliminate shanks. Consider the following:
- Keep your hands closer to your body during the downswing.
- Ensure your right elbow touches your ribs on the backswing, and uncoil with your hips first during the downswing.
- Work on stabilising your lower body to prevent sliding or moving towards the ball during the downswing.
- Focus on keeping your upper body position consistent from address to impact (don't break the spine angle).
Yes, there are drills that can help improve your swing and reduce shanks:
- Grip pressure drill: Place grass on your left thumb and between the club and your left hand. Ensure the grass stays in place during the swing to check for adequate grip pressure.
- Lower body stabilisation drill: Place your golf bag next to your left hip at address. Ensure your hips bump into the bag during the downswing without knocking it over.
