Tips on Short Holes

[pumaAttack]

Hello!

I am teaching my friend to play golf and we are going to a lot of Par 3 courses.  We also hit the range a lot.  I have no troubles on the range and seem to hit most shots well and how I want them to fly, normally a high draw.

When we hit the short course though, all sorts of problems arise.  Mostly I shank the ball.  COMPLETE SHANK.  Right off the hosel...  This problem only arises on short holes, and not long Par 4s and 5s so I know it is not the pressure of actually playing getting to me.

Any ideas on why this could be?  I found that I go into these holes with the mindset to take nice and easy swings but the shanks come right out.

[boogielicious]

For me, shanks happen due to a bad set up or not getting my weight forward at impact.  Make sure you are moving you lower body the same on the short shots as you do on the full shots.  If you are stiff legged, it may cause your swing path to come more over the top and out.  The swing is easier, but the lower body should still move the full amount.

[vangator]

I have learned to play the shank. Figure out how much you shank and adjust your stance.

[dbrock504]

I have learned to play the shank. Figure out how much you shank and adjust your stance.

How can you play a shank? Either you don't understand the effects of a true shank, or I don't. A shank is when you hit the ball off the hosel and it goes directly out from you and rolls on the ground maybe 10 yds. So again, I ask, how can you play a shank? NEVER adjust your game to poor mechanics and mishits.

[dbrock504]

Hello!

I am teaching my friend to play golf and we are going to a lot of Par 3 courses.  We also hit the range a lot.  I have no troubles on the range and seem to hit most shots well and how I want them to fly, normally a high draw.

When we hit the short course though, all sorts of problems arise.  Mostly I shank the ball.  COMPLETE SHANK.  Right off the hosel...  This problem only arises on short holes, and not long Par 4s and 5s so I know it is not the pressure of actually playing getting to me.

Any ideas on why this could be?  I found that I go into these holes with the mindset to take nice and easy swings but the shanks come right out.

Keep that tight V through the shot. I used to do this a lot as well. You could be pushing outside the swing plane causing the shank to happen. Use the box drill and the glove drill.

Box Drill: Place a box or ball basket outside of the ball. If you are hitting it as you make contact, you are pushing outside the ball.

Glove Drill: Place a glove under your left shoulder (if you're RH). Keep that glove under that arm as you swing through.

I used to do this as well. Fixed it in 2 minutes and never do it again. Hope it helps

[pumaAttack]

Keep that tight V through the shot. I used to do this a lot as well. You could be pushing outside the swing plane causing the shank to happen. Use the box drill and the glove drill.

Box Drill: Place a box or ball basket outside of the ball. If you are hitting it as you make contact, you are pushing outside the ball.

Glove Drill: Place a glove under your left shoulder (if you're RH). Keep that glove under that arm as you swing through.

I used to do this as well. Fixed it in 2 minutes and never do it again. Hope it helps

Thanks for the tips!!  I definitely think I am pushing outside the plane.

I will give that glove drill a go next time I play the course.

[hilmar2k]

How can you play a shank? Either you don't understand the effects of a true shank, or I don't. A shank is when you hit the ball off the hosel and it goes directly out from you and rolls on the ground maybe 10 yds. So again, I ask, how can you play a shank? NEVER adjust your game to poor mechanics and mishits.

Pretty sure that was a joke.

[vangator]

It was a joke, however mnay years ago I went through a shanking spell. The only clubs I didn't shank were the driver and putter. My shanks were typically about 30 degrees, so I would aim 30 degress left and I often hit the greens from under 100 yards. :)

[Vinsk]

Shanking is no laughing matter. It has caused sleepless nights hospital stays, marriage problems and has caused black holes to form in our personal life galaxies. They are pure evil and have viral components that make the Ebola virus look like a cold sore.