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How to Fix a Golf Shank

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes


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Quick Answer

  • Shanking a golf ball happens when the club strikes the ball on the hosel or heel, usually due to an open clubface and an outside-in swing path.
  • The fix involves focusing on a neutral to slightly closed clubface throughout your swing and promoting an inside-to-outside swing path.
  • Start by checking your grip, stance, and ball position.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers who are tired of seeing their ball take off at a sharp, unintended angle – we’re talking about the dreaded shank.
  • Players looking to understand the underlying causes of shanking and implement practical steps to correct it for better, more consistent golf shots.

What to Check First: Golf Ball Shank Prevention

  • Grip: Your grip is paramount. Make sure it’s neutral to slightly strong. A weak grip, where your hands are rotated too far counter-clockwise (for a right-handed golfer), is a common culprit for an open clubface at impact.
  • Stance and Alignment: Are you set up square to your target? Take a look down. Your feet, hips, and shoulders should be aligned parallel to your target line. Misalignment can lead to compensatory swings that encourage shanking.
  • Ball Position: For irons, the ball should generally be played slightly forward of center in your stance. If the ball is too far back, your body might get ahead of the clubhead, leading to a hosel strike.
  • Clubface at Address: Before you even swing, check the clubface. Is it square to your target line, or is it noticeably open? An open clubface at address makes it much harder to square it up at impact.

Step-by-Step Plan to Stop Shank Golf Ball

1. Assess and Adjust Your Grip.

  • Action: Hold the club with your lead hand (left hand for right-handers) so that you see two to three knuckles when looking down. Then, place your trail hand so the lifeline of your trail hand covers the thumb of your lead hand.
  • What to look for: Your grip should feel secure but not tense. You want your hands to work together as a unit. A neutral to slightly strong grip helps promote a naturally closed clubface through impact.
  • Mistake to avoid: Don’t grip the club too tightly. This tension restricts your wrists and can lead to an open clubface. Also, avoid an excessively strong grip, which can cause you to hook the ball. It’s a balance.

2. Confirm Correct Ball Position.

  • Action: For mid-irons, place the ball roughly one ball-width inside your lead heel. For shorter irons, it might be closer to the center, and for longer clubs like hybrids and woods, it moves further forward.
  • What to look for: The ball should be positioned so that your clubhead is descending slightly on the downswing and striking the ball before it starts to ascend. This promotes solid contact.
  • Mistake to avoid: Playing the ball too far back in your stance is a frequent cause of shanking. This forces you to swing “out” to meet the ball, often hitting the hosel.

3. Utilize Alignment Sticks for Swing Path.

  • Action: Place one alignment stick on the ground pointing directly at your target. Place a second alignment stick on the ground inside the first one, angled slightly towards the target. This second stick will act as a guide for your downswing path.
  • What to look for: You want to feel like your club is approaching the ball from the inside of the target line, swinging towards your intended target. Imagine your clubhead is traveling along the path indicated by the second stick.
  • Mistake to avoid: An outside-in swing path, often called “over the top,” is a major contributor to shanks. This drill helps you groove an inside-to-outside path, which is essential for striking the sweet spot.

4. Focus on an Inside-to-Outside Swing Path.

  • Action: Make slow, deliberate practice swings. Concentrate on feeling the clubhead travel from slightly behind you, coming from the inside of the target line, and swinging out towards your target.
  • What to look for: Visualize the clubhead moving on a gentle arc that goes through the ball and continues towards your target. Feel your body rotating through the shot, allowing the club to follow.
  • Mistake to avoid: Avoid the urge to “chop” down at the ball or swing across your body from outside-in. This is a common compensation that leads directly to shanks.

5. Maintain a Square to Slightly Closed Clubface.

  • Action: During your backswing, ensure the clubface remains relatively square to the path of your swing. As you transition to the downswing, feel a natural closing motion of your wrists and hands as you approach impact.
  • What to look for: The top surface of the clubface should be pointing towards the sky or slightly closed towards the target line at the top of your backswing. As you swing down, feel the clubface “turning over” naturally.
  • Mistake to avoid: Letting the clubface stay open and “flip” open through impact is a primary reason for hitting the hosel. Consciously work on a smooth release of the clubface.

6. Incorporate the Towel Drill.

  • Action: Place a small towel or a glove under your lead armpit (left armpit for right-handers). The goal is to keep it tucked there throughout your swing.
  • What to look for: This drill encourages your arms to stay connected to your body’s rotation. A connected swing promotes better clubface control and a more consistent swing path, reducing the likelihood of shanks.
  • Mistake to avoid: Letting your arms disconnect from your body, especially your lead arm flying away, can lead to a loss of control over the clubface and a swing that moves outside-in.

7. Practice Punch Shots.

  • Action: Take a half-swing, focusing on keeping your wrists firm and the clubface square. Hit the ball with a controlled, abbreviated follow-through.
  • What to look for: Solid contact with the ball. These shots should feel controlled and produce a low, penetrating flight. This helps you feel the sweet spot.
  • Mistake to avoid: Trying to hit up on the ball or making a big, loopy swing. Punch shots are about precision and solid contact, which are crucial for shank correction.

Common Mistakes in Shank Correction

  • Over-correcting Grip — Trying to fix an open clubface by making your grip extremely strong (turning both hands significantly clockwise for a right-hander). This can lead to severe hooks and is a common mistake when trying to stop shanks. — The fix is to find a neutral to slightly strong grip that feels comfortable and allows for a natural release.
  • Ignoring Swing Path — Focusing solely on the clubface angle and neglecting the direction your club is traveling through impact. A shank can happen even with a square clubface if the path is severely outside-in. — The fix is to incorporate drills like the alignment stick drill to ensure an inside-to-outside swing path.
  • Rushing the Swing — Trying to hit the ball too hard or too fast, especially when you’re already struggling with mechanics. Speed amplifies poor technique. — The fix is to slow down your swing tempo, make practice swings, and focus on smooth transitions and controlled acceleration.
  • Standing Too Close to the Ball — If your setup has you standing too close to the ball, your body will naturally get in the way of the clubhead on the downswing, leading to contact on the hosel. — The fix is to check your posture and ensure you have adequate space between your hands and your body at address.
  • Not Checking Ball Position — Assuming your ball position is correct when it’s actually too far back in your stance for the club you’re using. This is a subtle but potent cause of shanks. — The fix is to consistently check and adjust your ball position for each club, ensuring it’s optimal for solid contact.
  • Trying to “Guide” the Clubface — Instead of allowing the clubface to release naturally through impact, golfers sometimes try to manually “steer” or “push” the clubface square, which often results in an open or hosel strike. — The fix is to trust the natural rotation of your wrists and forearms through the shot, promoting a smooth release.

FAQ

  • What is a golf shank?

A shank occurs when the golf club strikes the ball on the hosel (the part connecting the clubhead to the shaft) or very close to it on the heel. This causes the ball to fly erratically, typically at a sharp angle away from the target (usually right for a right-handed golfer).

  • Why do I shank my golf balls?

The primary reasons for shanking are an open clubface at impact combined with an outside-to-inside swing path. This combination forces the clubhead to make contact with the hosel instead of the sweet spot.

  • How does my grip affect shanking?

A weak grip, where your hands are rotated too far counter-clockwise (for a right-handed golfer), makes it difficult to control the clubface. This can lead to the face being open at impact, a common precursor to shanking.

  • What’s the best way to practice fixing a shank?

Start with slow, controlled swings focusing on the fundamentals: grip, stance, ball position, and swing path. Drills like using alignment sticks and the towel drill are excellent for building good habits without the pressure of hitting full shots.

  • Can I fix shanks with just one change?

It’s unlikely. Shank correction usually involves addressing a combination of factors, often including grip adjustments, optimizing ball position, and refining your swing path. It’s rare for a shank to stem from a single, isolated issue.

  • Should I see a pro if I keep shanking?

Absolutely. A qualified PGA professional or golf instructor can quickly diagnose the specific causes of your shanks. They can provide personalized drills and feedback tailored to your swing, which is often more effective than trying to self-diagnose.

  • How long does it take to stop shanking?

The time it takes to overcome shanks varies greatly from golfer to golfer. Some may see significant improvement within a few practice sessions, while others might need weeks or even months of consistent, focused practice to break the habit and build new, reliable mechanics. Patience and persistence are key.

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