Chronic Case of Over-The-Top Shanks - Help!

[mikebish13]

Stop me if you think that you’ve heard this one before…

Been playing really well this week. Striking the ball the best I ever have and shooting some really good scores. Banged a drive down the middle of the fairway, simple 9 iron into the green and…BANG! The dreaded shanks! After that I couldn’t hit a single thing. Went to the range and the same thing was happening over and over again. Even trying to pitch with my wedges, I was getting the same result.

I’m 99% sure its a case of over-the-top shanks as I can feel my upper body being so over-active and just swiping across the ball. I tell myself to pause at the top, activate the lower body and let the arms drop into the slot - but it’s just not happening. I think my eyes are seeing the ball going right time and time again, so my subconscious is taking over and trying to send the ball to the left.

Looking for tips on what has helped others to get over this? At the moment there isn’t a single drill I’ve tried that is helping - it feels like I have zero control over my mind and something else is taking over when I get to the top of the backswing. I can put training aids/guides/blockers/alignment sticks on the ground and I just go clattering into them. The only viable solution I see at the moment is putting my clubs away for 6 weeks!

[Vinsk]

Well, well, well. Hello there. I’m the resident shank-aholic here. Sounds like the Gods are having their way with you right now. It’s a virus and will pass. I too use many drills when my shanks are taking over my golf life. 
 

You probably got a little too comfortable with your swing being that you’ve been playing well. Lol. I will say this: the two ball drill does well for me. Place a ball outside the intended ball to where if you hit heel side or hosel you’ll strike the outside ball.

This really forces me to not let that damn club move away from me and go hosel dancing. Just start with simple chips. Or use a hardcover , cup, anything that you can use as an obstacle to avoid hitting.

Ive been riddled with shanks for over 30 years and I go to this when the Gods are feeling humorous.

[SEMI_Duffer]

Maybe try what my first instructor called "baby swings," from just take-away, to get yourself back into the groove? Then, if that's successful, gradually increase your back-swing?

It sounds like maybe you started getting your arms into your swing and perhaps you can't tell that's what you're doing?

[Elmer]

26 minutes ago, Vinsk said:

You probably got a little too comfortable with your swing

This, this, this, this!!!!!!!
All my habits seem to stem from being to comfortable, then I get lazy and bad things happen. Then I forget how to correct and back on the right path.
When I finally get it all straightened out, I get too comfortable with swing and away we go again.