Something went horribly wrong today - VENT.

[Rebel_Golfer]

Decided to hit the range after work, playing tomorrow morning and wanted to get some swings in. So, I get there, everything is normal, get my bucket and head to the first open station.

I stretch, take a few practice swings, everything just like normal, just like any other day at the range. I take out PW to hit a few chip shots and gradually work up to full swings. Then it happens. A Tin Cup moment. My first swing just, out of nowhere, I completely cut across the ball and shank it nearly dead right about 20 yards. "Huh." I say to myself. "THAT was weird." So, I shrug it off and pull a couple more balls onto the mat.

Shank. Shank.

"Ummmm. This is NOT good." Few more balls.

Shank, Shank, and WAAAAY Shank.

"!^&^%%^%%$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

No matter what club I took out of the bag, PW, 9I, 8I, 7I... didn't matter. Just dead shank ball after ball after ball. Getting VERY terrified at this point. It was as if I had forgotten whatever I knew about swinging the club. And EVERY single result was the exact same thing... cutting across the ball and slicing about 20-25 yards right.

Scary. Really scary. I could not correct it to save my life. Got a second bucket. The only clubs I could hit were my 3 hybrid and, 5W, and Driver. Makes no sense. So, I hit a few decent balls with those. Get a third bucket. Try to hit irons again. SHANK, SHANK, SHANK!!!!!!!! UGGGHHHHH!!!!

Fourth bucket. Head Pro is giving a lesson a few stalls down and must have noticed my frustration. Takes mercy on me and comes over and says "let me see a few swings with your PW." So, I oblige. I don't know that he really told me anything I didn't already know (you are decelerating at the ball, make a better shoulder turn, etc) but just him taking the time to come down and talk to me really calmed me down. Things started working again.

The last half of bucket #4 was normal. Aaaahhh. Can relax and breathe again. Don't have to cancel on the guys tomorrow.

Anyone else have this happen??? Just plain weird!

[delav]

Decided to hit the range after work, playing tomorrow morning and wanted to get some swings in. So, I get there, everything is normal, get my bucket and head to the first open station.

Don't you know those things are contagious? I would have dropped my club and ran for a beer.... then finish the range balls.

[iacas]

Don't you know those things are contagious? I would have dropped my club and ran for a beer.... then finish the range balls.

C'mon... why do people treat a shot on the heel as if it's some bizarre sort of thing. I'll never understand it. They happen. Toe shots happen, shots thin or fat happen... what's the big deal?

[Dave H]

Something very similar has happened to me the last two times I've gone to the range. Sadly it's transferred onto the course too. Hope you have better luck than me. :)

[delav]

C'mon... why do people treat a shot on the heel as if it's some bizarre sort of thing. I'll never understand it. They happen. Toe shots happen, shots thin or fat happen... what's the big deal?

I think most golfers would agree that shanks are a bit more elusive and tough to pinpoint than fats and thins.

[iacas]

I think most golfers would agree that shanks are a bit more elusive and tough to pinpoint than fats and thins.

That's beside the point. A shank is just a mishit like a shot hit poorly another way. Why contribute to the bizarre mystique it's built up? A shank is often closer to being a great shot than one hit fat, thin, or off the toe.

[jamo]

A shank is often closer to being a great shot than one hit fat, thin, or off the toe.

That's true, shanks are most often indicative of a swing that is very close.

[saevel25]

Because it feels horrible. Your hands are connected to the shaft, and when the ball hits it you know its wrong. Then you get that nice time you got to watch that thing just horizontal on you. Ooh, the word just gives me the chills. Just don't say the word, its not S@#$%! Its, hozel rocket or lateral shot, just don't say the word.

[delav]

That's true, shanks are most often indicative of a swing that is very close.

Right... which is why it's a tough one to sort through. Many amateurs move farther from the ball, which can exaggerate the real problem.

My comment was in jest, we all know how frustrating shanks can be.

[saevel25]

Mine are usually when i use all arms with little shoulder or leg rotation or my arms get really really fast...

[iacas]

Because it feels horrible. Your hands are connected to the shaft, and when the ball hits it you know its wrong. Then you get that nice time you got to watch that thing just horizontal on you. Ooh, the word just gives me the chills. Just don't say the word, its not S@#$%! Its, hozel rocket or lateral shot, just don't say the word.

Shank shank shank shank shank shank shank shank shank shank shank shank shank shank shank.

I think a shot off the toe feels worse. Either way, you did something wrong. The worst thing about a shank is that it often leaves you in a worse spot than a fat, thin, or toed shot, but so? You play the ball is it lies. No sense getting ticked about something that's in the past the instant the ball leaves the clubface (or hosel).

[saevel25]

Thanks Iacas, i bet i will shank the ball tomorrow at the range now ;)

[delav]

Thanks Iacas, i bet i will shank the ball tomorrow at the range now ;)

Shanks are a self-fulfilling prophecy. You'll be fine, just stay positive.

[shortstop20]

I got a shank on video today, wanna see it?

[Fairway_CY]

Either way, you did something wrong. The worst thing about a shank is that it often leaves you in a worse spot than a fat, thin, or toed shot, but so? You play the ball is it lies.

I agree. I've yet to have a range session where I shanked a ball that I wasn't able to correct it by stepping away and breathing for a minute. Maybe I'm not GOOD enough to let those shots get to me yet... but, typically, I'll hit one off the hosel and kinda shrug my shoulders. If I do it a second time, I step away. After that, it's usually okay.

CY

[Rebel_Golfer]

Mine are usually when i use all arms with little shoulder or leg rotation or my arms get really really fast...

Yep, I think that is exactly what it was today... all arms, little shoulder turn or body rotation. ICK.

[GolfinGQ]

I had the shanks on Friday, so I went to the range this morning.....same thing. My divots look fine, but I would say 6 out of 9 shots are 45* to the right. This has never happened wear I can't fix it during the same session. I want to contribute it to my working out with weights lately, but that is lame.

[soloredd]

Sucks when this happens. There are times I leave the range feeling helpless. If I start doing this continuously through a bucket, I'll just leave and go putt or something else. It's infuriating but I think iacas is right, miss-hits will happen. What's worse is when you are in a round and this goes on for 3-4 holes. Definitely a feeling of being lost out there.