Shanking even with Path Pro

[albatross]

I'm still shanking shots and it's starting to drive me crazy. I'm seeing my instructor tonight so I'm hoping he can help.

But I'm using my Path Pro which I realize doesn't cure everything but there is no way I can come over the top using it on the really low setting, so how am I physically still shanking the ball?

Is it just a weight lunging problem or something. Has anyone else gotten into such a bad shank slump where the club doesn't even feel right after awhile and you feel like the club is going to turn in your hand before you even swing??

[$2 Nassau]

I'm still shanking shots and it's starting to drive me crazy. I'm seeing my instructor tonight so I'm hoping he can help.

I know that feeling, it's a helpless one.

I imagine you must be leaning a little towards the ball on the downswing? Or maybe you are just coming too inside now.

[mdvaldosta]

Video of swing?

[65withatriple]

I have heard hundreds of tips on how to get rid of the shanks. I think different tips work for different people. The only one that has ever helped me is to keep my head still and make sure its not moving toward the ball when I swing. I found my head was moving toward the ball when I got the shanks. Again it may not work for you but its definitely worth trying.

[c4m]

if its not the plane, maybe the clubface is open or closed for some reason?? maybe a grip adjustment or something would help with that.

[HSip]

I have heard hundreds of tips on how to get rid of the shanks. I think different tips work for different people. The only one that has ever helped me is to keep my head still and make sure its not moving toward the ball when I swing. I found my head was moving toward the ball when I got the shanks. Again it may not work for you but its definitely worth trying.

I can second this - happened to me "almost" to the Sir Charles point

. What worked for me was making swings with NO head movement. Another thing that might work for you is trying (on the range) to hit snap hooks, not big swings but exaggerating rolling your wrists and then slowing backing off on the wrist action. I've felt your pain - it won't last forever! Good Luck

[breezy]

i caught the shank also. i've been hitting shanks on my irons for the last 5 rounds i've played. my drivers and woods are awesome but my irons are a disaster. i went to the range yesterday and hit a few balls and thought about what i did right back when i was hitting more consistent. tried a few things and then out of 100 balls i hit, i only hit 3 shanks and a few fades but the fades sounded good. I think it was all in my head.

[BigBoy]

I went thru a period about a month ago where I thought that I was shanking a lot of irons. I had a break thru with my woods and hybrids by really making sure my chest came thru on the swing keeping pace with my arms - the frustrating part was that my irons seemed to be shanking like crazy -

actually what i figured out with a session on the range and doing some very slow swings what that since i was keeping my arms from racing ahead, my clubface was completely open thru the impact zone. I checked my grip and realized that it had slowly become VERY weak, and snapping my arms thru had been closing it down for me artificially, now with a better looking swing, that poor grip got exposed.

Just a story to give you something to think about - make sure they are true shanks.


also, another note, now if I do shank its from me letting myself fall just a fraction forward on my downswing. I think about keeping weight on my heels now to prevent it.

[bunkerputt]

Shanks rarely occur because you are standing too close to the ball. You can probably rule this one out.

In a good player, a shank occurs because the player is delivering the club too much from the inside. This causes the hosel to "seek" the ball, as is bandied about in instructor circles.

For most everyone else, a shank occurs when the left knee juts toward the target line on the backswing, rather than working inward, toward the right knee. This causes the weight to move slightly into the toes and moves the downswing path closer to the ball. Now swinging from the inside will definitely cause a shank, so most people come OTT and across to avoid it.

In correct footwork, you should feel like your weight is rolling into the inside of your left foot on the backswing. If your left knee works more towards the ball, you haven't performed a proper backswing turn.

[Lefty22]

• Put your change in your left pocket.
• Now, tie your left shoe in a double knot.
• Turn the hat backwards.
• Take this tee and stick it behind your left ear.
• Take this ball and hit it up the fairway.
• You're ready.

Good luck

[albatross]

Shanks rarely occur because you are standing too close to the ball. You can probably rule this one out.

You're right on here man. I started standing CLOSER to the ball and this helped a lot. I was too far from the ball and falling forward at it on the downswing. It's still not fixed, but it's getting better. I have a lesson tonight. I'm just not used to be so close to the ball, it feels like I'm really crowding it right now.

[MiniMoe]

There are many reasons the shank appears. If you are not coming over-the-top, then the cause might be you are swinging too far from inside to out (leading with the hosel). One sure way to stop shanking it is to place a 2x4 on the outside of the ball about 2" running down the target line. It might take a little bit to get used to it, but you will stop shanking it or you will ruin you club.

[titleist03]

yup, thats what happened to me coming off the winter, I had the shanks for about a week. I first thought im coming over the top. but I never do that so I was stuck. My coach said I was getting the hozel out too far without turning the club face. and thats common for more skilled players that get the shanks.

[bunkerputt]

A good way to find the right distance to the ball is to take a few short practice swings brushing the grass about 3" away from the ball. Make sure you get the feeling that you are trying to build in your swing. Some people recommend a slight reach, depending on whether you are a 1 or 2-planer. Then, move your feet towards the ball the same distance as the brush marks are from the ball. That way you can guarantee that your distance from the ball is based on the dynamics of your swing and not something static.

[squaddie]

I had the shanks for a month, and found out the cause was thrusting forward on the downswing with my right hip, instead of turning into my left side (which I now brace against). Thrusting out with my right side caused my swing plane to shift outward on the downswing, allowing Mr. Ball to meet Mr. Hosel many times over.

Sometimes now If I'm really tired I'll snap off with my right hip and shank it near the hosel. I think was doing this right-side thrust unconciously for so long that it's somewhat of an involuntary movement, so I still need to focus on the proper downswing motion to avoid repeating the issue.