Shanks are destroying my game

**millencolinman** · August 14, 2009

In the last month or so I have developed a case of the shanks on any shot within 100 yards the biggest problem are short pitch shots.My short game will be relatively consistent but the second i hit one shank it goes down the tubes. I have tried working the problem out through much practice but i can't seem to shake them. Does anyone have any good drills or suggestions to help me out before I snap my wedge in two.

**enduro** · August 14, 2009

In the last month or so I have developed a case of the shanks on any shot within 100 yards the biggest problem are short pitch shots.My short game will be relatively consistent but the second i hit one shank it goes down the tubes. I have tried working the problem out through much practice but i can't seem to shake them. Does anyone have any good drills or suggestions to help me out before I snap my wedge in two.

Try a "toe up" drill. Using a wedge, take the club back to parallel with the toe up. This is about hip high. Then bring it forward to the other side about hip high with the toe up there.

So, it's a real mild swing. But it actually gets you into a rhythm for a fuller swing. You see pros doing this drill from time to time before playing a shot to get some feel or whatever. So, what to think about : As you bring the club back, it should rotate (shoulders, etc) and at hip high the toe should be facing up. As you come back through the face should be square at impact (duh!) and as you follow through the rotation is complete as the club is hip high with the toe up again in front of you. Real easy and nice release and you're set. I actually use this drill for a lot of actual chipping while playing. It makes you release the club and puts it in the right spots throughout the swing. I have 9-wedges measured for distance with this drill and it makes shots inside 35 yards really easy. Greatest improvement in my game as I know almost exactly how far the ball is going and straight.

***iacas*** · August 14, 2009

What's your shot shape when you don't shank it?

**millencolinman** · August 14, 2009

i tend to hit a medium to high slight draw

**denver_nuggs_15** · August 14, 2009

You might just be bending your waist and not your knees so much. That'll usually cause shanks. You might also be too close to the ball and combined with an inside-out swing path can cause shanks.

**nokmond** · August 15, 2009

I suffered for 6 weeks with it. Everything within 60yds i would ham it.

I didn't pick a club up for 10 days then my first game back i was cured!

Its a strange disease so good luck mate.

**erwintrace08** · October 17, 2009

Posted this in the other Shank question:

Can I honestly tell you guys a guaranteed way of fixing this??? I usually shoot in the low 80s and had the shanks for 1 entire year!!! It was the worst feeling and I've studied it over and over and over and you hear:

1) Spacing
2) Inside out
3) Outside in
4) Put a wood next to the ball so you don't stick your arms out and hit the hozzle

All of these tips worked a little, but I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT and CANNOT SHANK!!!

I learned the reason for the shank is:

1) You're not hinging your wrists quickly enough
2) You're not making enough shoulder turn
3) Too much tension on your back hand
4) Too fast on the down swing
5) Lifting your head

It actually came out when my buddy told me I don't bring my club higher than my arms at 9 O'Clock. He told me to hinge my wrists more and I can go parallel. What I didn't know is that it totally fixed my shanks. Hinging/Cocking the wrists early and inside made me naturally turn my shoulders. Also, slow down your swing and make it nice and easy like Fred Couples or Ernie Els. If you use all arms and get lazy on turning the shoulders, you get an out-to-in swing.

Try it and let me know how it works. Just cock/hinge the wrists early and turn those shoulders. It works on the pitches and long irons.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!
e

**bogeyhitter25** · October 17, 2009

I had the shanks for one round. It was awful. All my high school coach told me to do was to "get my ass lower". Bend the knees a bit more. It's worked wonders. Good luck.

**verse214** · October 17, 2009

i tend to hit a medium to high slight draw

Do you have a relatively flat swing?

Happens to me sometimes when I hit my shorter clubs and my swing is not upright enough.

**DBeane** · October 17, 2009

Lots of interesting solutions out here. The "S" word, I have found, usually can be cured with some set up revisions. Particularly weight distribution on your feet at address.

Sometimes I have noticed people are to far back on their heels at address. This causes some movement that can create that type of miss.

Get your weight out towards the balls of your feet, also make sure your not crowding the ball.

Anytime your trying to fix a miss, always start at address.

-Beane

**DaSportsGuy** · October 17, 2009

Just take a couple buckets hitting shots 100 in and get it worked out.

**ks8829** · October 17, 2009

I have shank a few short pitch shots, what I try to do is make sure that my hands are close to my body and that my hands are arms are extended to the ground without tension, with practice you will quickly eliminate the shanks

**groovezilla79** · October 17, 2009

I too had this same issue.... anytime I picked up a sand or lob wedge, it was a 50/50 chance I'd hosel it. The 1 key move that helped me was this:

(assuming you're a righty) From the top, imagine your right shoulder driving down through the shot. My problem was that my right shoulder would come out in front of me a little bit and cause an over the top move. Do a search for Nick Price impact position. At one time he was the best ball striker on the planet... his impact position always had the right shoulder tucked under his chin which will help get you square. Those pictures of him at impact from the 90's were crazy good.

**KwSipp** · October 17, 2009

Lots of interesting solutions out here. The "S" word, I have found, usually can be cured with some set up revisions. Particularly weight distribution on your feet at address.

Best advice so far, golf is opposite. Swing left hit fades, swing right hit draws, weight on the balls of your feet you move back, weight on the heels and you move towards the ball. Its crazy lol

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Shanks are destroying my game

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