Shanking your irons is one of the most debilitating shots in golf. It can ruin your round of golf and leave you feeling frustrated and defeated. A shank occurs when the ball makes contact with the hosel of the club instead of the clubface, sending the ball off in a completely different direction than intended. Many golfers have experienced this shot, and it can happen to anyone, from beginners to professionals on the PGA Tour.
In this article, we will discuss the common reasons for shanking and provide you with five simple fixes to help you stop shanking your shots and improve your golf game.
Understanding the Causes of a Shank
Before we dive into the tips to cure your shanks, it's important to understand why they occur in the first place. There are several reasons why a golfer may hit a shank:
Standing too close to the ball
Leaning too far forward
Grip pressure is too loose or too tight
Ball position is too far forward or too far back in your stance
Swing path that goes outside-in (coming over the top)
Hitting it near the toe of the club
Hosel rocket (contact with the hosel of the club)
Any one of these factors can cause a shank in golf. It's important to identify which one is causing your shanks so that you can work on correcting it.
Tips to Stop Shanking Your Shots
Now that we've identified some of the common reasons for a shank, let's discuss five simple fixes to help you stop shanking your irons.
1. Check Your Posture
One of the most common reasons for shanking is standing too close to the ball or leaning too far forward. When you stand too close to the ball, your swing path will cause the club to move towards your body, resulting in contact with the hosel of the club. Similarly, if you lean too far forward, your swing path will move outside-in, causing the same result.
To fix this issue, check your posture before hitting the ball. Make sure that your weight is evenly distributed between your feet and that your spine angle is correct. Your butt should be sticking out slightly, and there should be a slight bend in your knees. This will help you maintain a proper distance from the ball and prevent you from leaning too far forward.
2. Adjust Your Ball Position
The position of the ball in your stance can also cause a shank in golf. If the ball is too far forward in your stance, it can cause you to swing outside-in and make contact with the hosel of the club. On the other hand, if the ball is too far back in your stance, it can cause you to swing inside-out and hit it near the toe of the club.
To fix this issue, adjust your ball position until it's in the correct spot for each club in your bag. For most irons, the ball should be positioned just left of center in your stance. However, this can vary depending on your swing and personal preference.
3. Focus on Your Grip Pressure
Grip pressure is another factor that can cause a shank in golf. If your grip is too loose, the clubface can twist at impact, causing the ball to make contact with the hosel of the club. On the other hand, if your grip is too tight, it can cause tension in your swing and lead to an outside-in swing path.
To fix this issue, focus on your grip pressure before hitting the ball. Your grip should be firm but not too tight. You should be able to hold onto the club without feeling like you're squeezing it too hard.
4. Improve Your Swing Path
A swing path that goes outside-in (coming over the top) is a common reason for shanking your irons. This swing path can cause the club to move towards your body, resulting in contact with the hosel of the club.
To fix this issue, work on improving your swing path. One way to do this is to focus on your downswing and make sure that you're coming from inside-out instead of outside-in. You can also try using a drill where you place a tee just outside of the ball-to-target line and focus on hitting the ball without touching the tee.
5. Keep Your Weight on Your Lower Body
Finally, keeping your weight on your lower body can help prevent a shank in golf. If you shift your weight too far forward during your swing, it can cause problems with your swing path and lead to contact with the hosel of the club.
To fix this issue, focus on keeping your weight on your lower body throughout the swing. This will help you maintain a proper distance from the ball and prevent you from leaning too far forward.
Conclusion
A shank happens to many golfers at some point in their golf game. However, by understanding the common reasons for shanking and implementing these simple fixes, you can cure your shanks and improve your golf game. Remember to check your posture, adjust your ball position, focus on your grip pressure, improve your swing path, and keep your weight on your lower body. By doing so, you'll never shank a golf ball again!