Shanks on Purpose

[iacas]

A few people I've met think it's funny - and somewhat unsettling - that I can hit a shank on purpose.

All you do is set up normally and then look at a spot about two inches outside the golf ball. You'll swing through there naturally and hit a good ol' hosel rocket. Simple as that.

The trick is to actually try to look there and swing through that spot.

[motteler621]

yea its funny how much the clubhead impact follows the eyes.

[Tiger Spuds]

And you'd want to intentionally hit a shank, why..?

[bwdial]

Now that I know how to hit one on purpose, I'd like to know how to not hit one on accident.

[out_in_30]

hahaaha.. shanks are the most dreadful feeling shot there is. ugh. i would never intentionally try and hit one because of the sensation of it. hosel rocket haha i like that terminology

[iacas]

  Tiger Spuds said:

And you'd want to intentionally hit a shank, why..?

Fun demonstration. I think it's great. You've gotta set it up, though, and talk about how you're working on your pronation of this or your dorsiflexion of that or this or whatever, really go into details, and then set up, look all professional, and..... SHANK.

In high school, on the golf team, we'd do a similar thing where we'd practice hitting the top most dimple of the ball and just barely catching it. We'd give this long speech about how hard we're hitting the ball and how far it goes, we'd tee it up, take a big swing, and the ball would dribble a few inches off the tee. Hilarity.

[jamo]

I've tried shanking on purpose, and I can't do it. I self-adjust subconsciously during the downswing.

[ControlJunkie]

  iacas said:

Fun demonstration. I think it's great. You've gotta set it up, though, and talk about how you're working on your pronation of this or your dorsiflexion of that or this or whatever, really go into details, and then set up, look all professional, and..... SHANK.

I'd love to see a video of some of the reactions of the observers

I can only imagine some of the new kids thinking "I can so beat this guys @ss"

[iacas]

  ControlJunkie said:

I'd love to see a video of some of the reactions of the observers

That's a good idea. Shank like crazy on the range, then go around trying to get a bet together. You could really sucker 'em in that way... :)

Now that I'm a pro, I have to do this "demonstration" only when potential students aren't around. If you can't hear the joking around and the setup and all that, it just looks bad.

[sean_miller]

  iacas said:

That's a good idea. Shank like crazy on the range, then go around trying to get a bet together. You could really sucker 'em in that way... :)

Shiny blades + tour driver + staff bag + two gloves + Pro V1 + Miura wedges + visor + towel on your belt + bucket of shanks and topsies = cha ching!!!

[Zeph]

That's nothing, I can hit a shank not on purpose, even when trying to hit a good shot! Hit some 20 balls on my net yesterday, all of the ball marks located on the 1/2 of the club towards the hosel, even with a couple of shanks.

[injury]

funny. I was just watching a chipping video on youtube last night where the instructor used shanking on purpose as a way to figure out how not to shank.

[zeg]

  injury said:

funny. I was just watching a chipping video on youtube last night where the instructor used shanking on purpose as a way to figure out how not to shank.

I can see that. It's easier to stop doing something if you know what it is you're doing.

[nevets88]

There are different kinds of shanks from my own experience.

There's ball contact on shaft and clubface.

Total contact on heel side of clubface.

Contact on shaft only.

I can do all three of these. I've shanked a driver in a manner of speaking - partial ball mark on the heel.

Take the backswing outside and make the downswing back outside. Kick the right knee out towards the ball.

I agree - to avoid hitting a shot you don't want to hit, learn how to hit it. Keep your friends close, your enemies closer.

Shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank.
Shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank.
Shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank.
Shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank.
Shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank, shank.

[mcfc_nick]

Looks like im better than you Iacas then, i dont even have to think about it and i can hit them :)

[DavidFehertysBike]

Thats amazing...ive actually tried to hit shanks on purpose and i cant do it...

[TN94z]

All of my shanks have been on purpose

No, that would be a pretty good tool for the weekend gambler. I may have to put that in my arsenal

The guys I play with like to jump on you when you are having a bad day....I could sucker them in a heartbeat!

[kennay92]

when i do this, i usually hit good shots cause it gives me the feel as im doing a practice swing, i dont necessarily try to swing to that spot though, just looking there so my focus is not on the ball.