Beating up Hosel when going bad, especially on artificial turf

[MikeLowry5]

So I have hit a rough stretch at the range where I have been hitting the shit out of the hosel on every one of my clubs. Matter of fact I am not sure if 20 balls out of 400 plus have made it on the center of the face.

For some reason on real tight lies and artificial turf ranges I start going this way and cannot hit the ball on the face.

I was so disgusted with golf tonight I came home with the intentions of quitting. Took out 4 balls in the pouring rain and put them on the ground with a gap wedge. Hit all 4 dead straight even with the shitty thought in mind that I was going to hit the hosel.

Why is this?

I contacted a new instructor who works at the range and am going to begin working with him to see if I can work this out.

[DriverTees]

Shit happens, and it happens a lot more often when you don't play that often and you're a 23.5 handicap. Just, laugh about it I guess. Positive thinking and realistic expectations are the most important things. And you should NOT play Pro V1, even if they are cheap. That kind of ball is way out of your league at this stage. Once you get under 18, consider AD333 or something like that.

[kfowler]

Check your balance. When I was struggling with the shanks, I had too much weight on the balls of my feet. I would essentially lose balance on the downswing causing the shank. Try sticking your butt out further so that more of your weight is evenly distributed.

Here's another one. Setup up with two balls in front of you. One at your normal position and the other further away from you. At address, place your club face behind the outer ball. Take your backswing but hit the inside ball.

Sometimes when you take the club back, you take it too far to the outside and it causes you to lose balance. This drill will correct.

All of these are things my instructor has shown me.

[Bauer]

Shit happens, and it happens a lot more often when you don't play that often and you're a 23.5 handicap. Just, laugh about it I guess. Positive thinking and realistic expectations are the most important things. And you should NOT play Pro V1, even if they are cheap. That kind of ball is way out of your league at this stage. Once you get under 18, consider AD333 or something like that.

Why exactly shouldn't he be playing Pro V1's?

[just hit it]

I agree, he can play whatever ball he wants, different balls merely have different characteristics. No reason a 36 handicapper shouldn't buy Pro-V's if he wants them, his money. Don't take offense but a lot of equipment snobs on these boards.

To the original op. Don't give up, if it were easy there would be no satisfaction on hitting well struck balls.

[MikeLowry5]

Not an equipment snob, tried them once and the stick really well on approach shots.

Why would that particular ball be wrong for me? The b330's skated all across the green when I tried them.

[right handed phil mickelson]

I love how everyone has given the OP such great advice in their posts........



A good way to stop hitting it on the hosel is to step back from the ball 2-3 inches. Then take a normal swing (don't try and reach out because you just backed up). Maybe you just got a little closer to the ball than normal, didn't notice it, and still took the same swing causing the shanks.

Hope this helps and hope you get some good lessons on the range. Have fun!

~RHPM

[divottool]

Another tip to end the shanks is to take an old shoe box and place it a couple of inches above the ball. Then hit shots trying to not touch the box. After doing this for a dozen or shots remove the box and pretend that it is still there and hit a few more. I try to think about a wall that close to the ball and it stops me from hitting the hosel.

Also, try to feel that on the back swing that you move your weight from the balls of your feet to the right heel, and the to the left heel on the follow through. A lot of times with shorter irons you will have a tenancy to move toward your toes and closer to the ball.

[MeanDeen]

Another tip to end the shanks is to take an old shoe box and place it a couple of inches above the ball. Then hit shots trying to not touch the box. After doing this for a dozen or shots remove the box and pretend that it is still there and hit a few more. I try to think about a wall that close to the ball and it stops me from hitting the hosel.

What do you mean by above the ball?

[Bauer]

I think he means on the outside of the ball. Same drill to quit coming over the top. Only speculation though.