Swing Help - Shanks

[bzimmer2109]

I was looking for some advice.  For the last few years I've developed shanks with my irons.  It isn't every round, but when they come out, it completely ruins my game.  My ball flight is typically a draw or right to left with my irons and driver when struck well.  I play to a 15 handicap.  Based off of my swing below, what do you see that is causing me to get a case of the shanks?  What can I do to improve my swing to hopefully eliminate the shank?  I have an issue pull hooking drives too.  Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJvgoq81cUs

[kw purp]

ok, im gonna break it down for you. To prevent a shank you need to open the club face by 2.75 degress while simutaneously re adjusting your swing path to an east to west angular club head swing path. Then leave your wrists cocked coming down through the ball. resulting in a massive amount of lag. this lag coupled with your improved swing path and club face position, will lead to lower scores.

This of course follows 1923 ball flight laws

[TJBam]

Turn your hat around backwards and tighten the laces on your right shoe.  This prevents over-rotation (which causes you to toe and hosel the ball).

[bzimmer2109]

That sounds very simple.  Thanks for the help.

[TJBam]

  bzimmer2109 said:

Originally Posted by bzimmer2109

That sounds very simple.  Thanks for the help.

If that doesn't work, try moving your pocket change and tees from your left pocket to your right pocket.  Or try hitting ProV1's from the range instead of those junky range balls.

[BirdieNumNums]

Do you feel as if your right elbow is "Stuck"? I saw this on another thread and it's something that helped me visualize what I needed to be doing.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/880860-right-shoulder-lower-explanation-w-diagrams/

[nevets88]

  BirdieNumNums said:

Originally Posted by BirdieNumNums

Do you feel as if your right elbow is "Stuck"? I saw this on another thread and it's something that helped me visualize what I needed to be doing.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/880860-right-shoulder-lower-explanation-w-diagrams/

I've been following this thread since the beginning. There's a lot of good stuff in there. Not necessarily directed towards fixing the shanks but great swing info and discussion.

[kw purp]

  bzimmer2109 said:

Originally Posted by bzimmer2109

That sounds very simple.  Thanks for the help.

Also, what's so bad about shanking? I often play a shank. Just aim 90 degrees left of your target and play your patented shank. No different than playing a hook or slice. Shank is an underutilized shot. For pins tucked in the back left of the green, slightly hood the club at address for a shank draw

[islandscott]

When I shank it seams to stem from turning my left hip towards the ball on the back swing. This gets me too close to the ball on the downswing. To fix it I focus on turning my right hip on the takeaway and initiating the downswing by moving my left hip left and back (diagonally towards left field). I'm sure there are lots of shank causes, but this swing feeling seems to work for me.

[randomzero]

I had the shanks earlier this year for a time. A friend recommended weakening my grip. Since then, I haven't shanked it at all.

As for why I was shanking it to begin with, I don't know. I know it happened when my arms seemed to swing too far away from my body. I also got them, and probably still would, if I tried to alter my swing path to draw a ball. I was trying to swing in-to-out more and exaggerating it a bit, most likely. I have a dead straight ball flight with my irons, but wanted to try learning to shape the ball a bit. I mostly gave up doing so after that, and just make adjustments to the clubface and aim now, instead of messing with my swing path.

[pholmes]

Erik and Mike have a video on the site that gives the cause of shanks and a solution that works right away.

[BallMarker]

I thought shanking usually result from the backswing that's too flat, which can cause you to yank the club handle, which prevents your from turning the club head square.... Just a thought. Good luck.:-\

[iceman777]

When I have the occasional shank , it usually is because I'm standing too close to the ball . When that happens ,with my swing , contact with the ball is with the hosel .