Curing the Shanks in Golf

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes

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Quick Answer

• Pinpoint the root cause: often a setup issue or an out-to-in swing path.
• Make targeted adjustments to your grip, ball position, or stance.
• Practice drills that promote an inside-to-out swing path.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who are tired of those embarrassing hosel rockets ruining their round. We’ve all been there, and it’s frustrating.
• Players ready to get serious about improving their ball striking and building confidence on the tee box and fairway.

What to Check First for How to Cure Shanks in Golf

• Your Grip: This is huge. Are your hands too weak (rotated too far counter-clockwise for a righty)? Or maybe too strong? A weak grip often leads to an open clubface and the dreaded shank. Check that you can see about 2-3 knuckles on your lead hand at address.
• Ball Position: Where is the ball in your stance? If it’s too far back, you’ll have to reach for it, which often results in hitting the hosel. For irons, it’s usually off the center of your stance. For drivers, it’s off the lead heel.
• Stance Width: Is your stance too narrow or too wide? A narrow stance can make you unstable, and a wide one can restrict your hip turn. Aim for a width that feels balanced and athletic, about shoulder-width for irons.
• Posture and Spine Angle: Are you standing too upright or hunched over? Maintaining a consistent athletic posture with a slight bend from the hips is critical for a repeatable swing plane. Make sure your weight is balanced, not on your toes or heels.
• Clubface Angle at Address: Take a look at your clubface. Is it open? Closed? It should be square to your target line. An open clubface at address is a common precursor to shanking.

Step-by-Step Plan to Cure Shanks in Golf

1. Analyze Your Setup and Grip. Observe your grip pressure and hand placement. Mistake: Gripping too tightly, which restricts wrist action, or having your hands too far around the club (weak grip), making it hard to control the clubface through impact.

• Action: Loosen your grip pressure. For a right-handed golfer, try strengthening your grip slightly by rotating your hands a bit more to the right, so you can see 2-3 knuckles on your lead hand.
• What to look for: A more neutral grip that allows for natural wrist hinge and a square clubface through impact.
• Mistake to avoid: Over-tightening your grip, which kills feel and flexibility.

2. Adjust Ball Position. Move the ball slightly forward in your stance. Mistake: Ball too far back in your stance, forcing you to get steep, reach, and ultimately hit the hosel. I used to struggle with this constantly on the range.

• Action: For irons, try moving the ball one inch forward from its usual position. For woods and hybrids, move it a bit closer to your lead heel.
• What to look for: A setup where you can comfortably swing through the ball without having to lunge forward.
• Mistake to avoid: Moving the ball so far forward that you have to adjust your body to reach it.

3. Refine Your Takeaway and Swing Path. Focus on a smooth, in-to-out takeaway with the clubhead outside your hands initially. Mistake: Pulling the club inside too sharply, which forces an out-to-in swing path. This is a classic recipe for shanking.

• Action: Imagine swinging the clubhead away from the ball in a wide arc, keeping it outside your hands for the first foot or so. Then, focus on swinging through the ball from the inside.
• What to look for: A feeling of width in your backswing and a smooth transition that encourages an inside path to the ball.
• Mistake to avoid: The “uphill” takeaway where the club goes straight back and then inside too quickly.

4. Check Your Weight Transfer and Body Rotation. Make sure you’re shifting your weight towards your target during the downswing and rotating your body through the shot. Mistake: Staying on your back foot or swaying, which leads to an uncontrolled swing and a higher likelihood of hitting the hosel.

• Action: Feel your weight move from your trail foot to your lead foot as you start your downswing. Encourage your hips to rotate towards the target.
• What to look for: A balanced finish with most of your weight on your lead foot.
• Mistake to avoid: Hanging back on your trail side, which makes it difficult to release the club properly.

5. Practice with Purpose. Use drills that exaggerate the desired movement. Mistake: Just hitting balls without a specific goal or feedback mechanism.

• Action: Try hitting balls with only your lead arm to feel the proper clubface control. Or, place an alignment stick on the ground about six inches inside the target line, just in front of the ball, and try to swing out towards it.
• What to look for: A consistent strike on the center or heel of the clubface, not the hosel.
• Mistake to avoid: Practicing with tension or without focusing on the specific swing flaw you’re trying to correct.

6. Focus on the Feeling of Impact. Instead of just thinking about hitting the ball, focus on the sensation of the clubface meeting the ball squarely. Mistake: Thinking about hitting at the ball instead of swinging through it with a controlled, repeatable motion.

• Action: During practice swings, feel the clubhead release and strike the imaginary ball with the sweet spot. Try to replicate this feeling during your actual shots.
• What to look for: A solid, satisfying sound and a ball flight that goes towards your target.
• Mistake to avoid: Trying to “guide” the clubface, which often leads to a manipulation of the hands and a shank.

Addressing the Shanks in Your Golf Swing

The shanks can be a real confidence killer. They’re not just random bad shots; they’re usually a symptom of a deeper issue in your swing mechanics. The key to fixing them lies in understanding why they happen and then systematically addressing those causes. It’s about building a more reliable swing path and ensuring a square clubface at impact. This isn’t about a quick fix; it’s about making fundamental improvements.

One of the most common culprits for shanking is an over-the-top swing path. This means that as you start your downswing, the club comes from outside the target line and moves across the ball. When this happens, the hosel of the club is often the first thing to make contact with the ball, sending it flying wildly off-line. To counter this, you need to train your body to bring the club from the inside. This involves a proper takeaway, a smooth transition, and a body rotation that allows the club to approach the ball from the correct plane. For more detailed drills and insights on improving your swing path, check out How to Fix a Shank in Golf.

Another significant factor is your setup. If your ball position is too far back, you have to lunge at the ball, which can lead to an steep, out-to-in swing and shanking. Similarly, a grip that’s too weak can cause the clubface to open through impact. These setup issues create a chain reaction that makes it very difficult to hit the sweet spot consistently. It’s always worth going back to basics and ensuring your grip, stance, and ball position are optimal for your swing. For a comprehensive guide to correcting these issues, consider Fixing the Shanks: A Golf Swing Correction Guide.

Common Mistakes

• Grip Too Weak — Causes the clubface to open through impact, leading directly to a shank. You’ll often see too many knuckles on your lead hand. — Strengthen your grip by rotating your hands slightly away from the target (more knuckles showing for a righty).
• Ball Too Far Back in Stance — Forces you to reach and steepen your swing, making it easy to hit the hosel. — Move the ball forward in your stance, closer to your lead heel. Experiment with inch-by-inch adjustments.
• Taking the Club Inside Too Quickly on Takeaway — Leads to an out-to-in swing path and hitting the hosel. This is a major cause of shanks. — Focus on a wider, more controlled takeaway, keeping the clubhead outside your hands for the first foot or so. Imagine a slight “push” away from the ball.
• Over-The-Top Swing — Swinging across the ball from out-to-in. This is the most common swing path flaw leading to shanks. — Work on an inside-out swing path. Drills that encourage hip rotation and a downswing that starts from the inside are key.
• Poor Posture — Slouching or standing too upright can ruin your swing plane and make consistent contact difficult. — Maintain a consistent athletic posture with a slight bend from the hips, keeping your back relatively straight.
• Trying to “Hit Up” on the Ball with Irons — Some golfers try to lift the ball into the air with their hands, which can cause a steep, out-to-in swing. — Focus on hitting through the ball with your body’s rotation, letting the loft of the club do the work.
• Lack of Practice or Bad Practice Habits — Simply hitting balls without identifying the root cause or using specific drills won’t fix shanks. — Dedicate practice time to specific drills that target your identified flaws. Short, focused sessions are better than long, unfocused ones.

FAQ

• What is a shank in golf?

A shank shot occurs when the clubface strikes the ball on the hosel (the part connecting the shaft to the clubhead), sending the ball skittering sideways, usually at a sharp angle away from the intended target. It’s one of the most dreaded shots in golf.

• What causes a golfer to shank the ball?

Shanks are typically caused by an incorrect swing path (most commonly out-to-in) or an improper setup, such as the ball being too far back in the stance, forcing you to reach for it. A weak grip that leads to an open clubface at impact is also a major contributor.

• How can I tell if my grip is causing shanks?

If your grip is too weak, your hands might be rotated too far counter-clockwise (for a right-handed golfer), making it difficult to keep the clubface square through impact. Check if you see too many knuckles (more than 3) on your lead hand at address. A grip that feels like the club is on the heel of your hand can also be a problem.

• Should I move the ball forward or back to fix shanks?

Generally, moving the ball slightly forward in your stance helps prevent you from reaching and hitting the hosel. This allows you to make contact more naturally in the downswing. Experiment with small adjustments, perhaps an inch at a time.

• Is shanking a sign of a bad swing?

Yes, shanking is a clear indication of a swing flaw, usually related to your setup or the path the club takes during your swing. Fixing it requires identifying and correcting these underlying issues. It’s not just a fluke; it’s a signal.

• How often should I practice fixing my shanks?

Consistent, focused practice is key. Short, targeted sessions of 15-20 minutes a few times a week are far more effective than one long, frustrating session. Consider incorporating drills from resources like Fixing the Shanks in Your Golf Swing into your routine.

• What’s the quickest way to stop shanking?

While there’s no magic bullet, the quickest way to stop shanking in a round is to immediately assess your setup. Check your ball position and grip. If the ball is too far back, move it forward. If your grip feels weak, adjust it. Taking a few practice swings focusing on an inside-out path can also help reset your swing.

Sources:

• Fixing the Shanks: A Golf Swing Correction Guide
• How to Fix a Shank in Golf
• Fixing the Shanks in Your Golf Swing