SEVERE case of the sha***

[benhd1]

when you say feet pointing too far right.....if I have been working on a closed stance (hogan style I believe) to get better rotation...this can be the cause???? I am not very flexible....working on stretching to improve....read this stance can help to rotate further and hit the ball farther...never been a big hitter...drives like 220-240 at best...150 is 6 or7... any way shanks showed up Friday 5/23 and have not fully left me yet! Won't play again until Thursday, I guess I will return to my straight on stance, swing easier with 1-2 up club and see how it goes. Thanks.

[CBass1724]

Drink some pepto bismol...

[barrycuda]

closed stance is ok, it will make the ball draw thus getting more distance.but if your struggling with swinging outside-in like almost every other golfer then you risk shanking the ball from that set-up.

take a look at the divots on the golf course next time you are playing. i bet you 8/10 divots point left of the flagstick, the odd good player will have it right along with the left handers. even myself i still have the dreaded outside-in swing.

what is your most common ball flight? where do your divots point? what about fat shots, you make turf before ball contact?

[benhd1]

when I hit the sha***...divot does point left of target...I do also hit the ball fat 1-2 tee shots per round...usually caused by a quick back swing which pulls my head off the ball...hitting the b ig ball first....

when I am hitting the ball well, I have a nice straight high ball flight with irons/hybrid, and a slight fade with the driver.

my question: How to correct this on the spot? Shanks can ruin your round/day/confidence....outside in swing path, so if I try to take easy back swing on desired path, does this mean I 'cast' the club at the start of my down swing...to start the outside in swing...I don't feel this....but I do feel my hips clear....can this early action with hips cause this and my lack of distance???

[OrlandoGolfBlogger]

I found this article, it might help out.

http://www.free-golf-swing-tips.com/...-fix-cure.html

The quick and dirty is that shanks are caused by by an incorrect weight distribution during the swing, specifically too much of the players weight goes onto the toes during the downswing causing the ball to impact theclub face off-center towards the hosel of the club.

The solution is to keep more weight on the heels during the swing. If you look at a side-on of the swing of Tiger Woods you can see how evenly his weight is distributed front to back and how stable he looks.

Hope this helps!

[Lee_M]

I found this article, it might help out.

I was going to say the same thing. I used to occasionally shank my wedges and my pro told me it was because I was shifting my weight onto my toes slightly during the downswing. I find if I stand slightly wider and concentrate on maintaining even balance front to back I'm ok.

Could also be due to poor shoulder rotation

[dave39]

Although I'm no where close to giving instructions but have had a case of this as well. A well known tip is to try to hit toward the toe of the iron..and then start getting your feel/swing back.

Ditto!

I also try to focus keeping my weight on the ball of my feet as well.. or even a little bit on my heals. Keeps me away from the ball upon impact

[benhd1]

Thanks, for all they help....they have left as quickly as they came. Shot an 89 Friday, first sub 90 round at that course for me! Shot a 37 and 36 at home course, Par 29! Again thanks for the help.

[lolzzlolzz]

I have an extremely severe case of the s***** (rhymes with tanks), and I have had ups and downs trying to get rid of them. First, it was just with my wedges and 60-100 yard shots, but then it moved its little infectious ways into my irons. My team coach helped me by having my left hand more to the left, and that was working fine. The only problem was that I could not make a full swing that way, and was hitting my normal 135 with an 8 iron down to 100. But the shank worked its way past that, and having my wrist straighter won't help. I was in my backyard trying to figure out what was wrong, and I think I've found it, but haven't been able to try it out yet.

Doesn't sound right to me. Different teachers teach different swings and different golfers learn different swings, but the way I know golf is that the arms should be as close to the body as possible on the backswing. The right elbow should be as close to your side as possible.

Also, you need to be swinging inside out on the downswing. All good golfers swing on a steeper and inside out plane on their downswing than their back swing. Your shank problem has to do with your stance and posture most likely. What exactly is wrong with your stance and posture I don't know... so go to whoever/whatever taught you golf and let him/her or it help you.

Although I'm no where close to giving instructions but have had a case of this as well. A well known tip is to try to hit toward the toe of the iron..and then start getting your feel/swing back.

No offense but this is bad advice in my opinion. You shouldn't have any conscious hand action in the downswing. The only things you should think about are starting the hips back, getting the weight to your left foot, and swinging at the ball with your upper body.

[pbillaa]

hey guys and gals I have the shanks also, they are so bad that I hit a large bucket today and literally shanked all 80 balls. I have never been so discouraged in my life. I cant wait to try these tips thanks guys, I'll keep you posted on my results.