5 handicapper who has now developed the shanks. Help

[blycan13]

Hey guys... If you read the title, you know what's going on. The dreaded "S" word.

Ive somehow developed the shanks of late. I thought it was a one day thing, but it's progressed, maybe even gotten worse. 

I have no idea why this happening! Is it my swing? Is it my posture? Is it muscle mass I've added to my frame? (Just was hired as a firefighter, so I was hitting the gym too much) 

 

Any and all help is appreciated. I've gone from a 5 handicap, to being too embarrassed to step onto the range. 

[natureboy]

Is the ball going straight to the right like an extreme block or is it curving to the right?

[Patch]

Since you are a fire fighter you have my greatest respect. Congrats to you. Be safe on your job. 

As for your shanks all I can say is check your take away. See if it's no longer of the one piece variety. When I shank, it's usually my take away that is screwed up. If it's not my take away, then I just put my clubs a way for a few days.

You are still a 5 capper. You have probably just misplaced something. 

Of course shanks can be caused by any number of swing problems. 

[Sidehatch]

Because you're a 5 handicapper, my guess is that it is a timing issue. One thing that can aggravate that horribly is standing too close to the ball. Line up the outside of the toe with the center of the ball and hit two range sessions (100+ balls apiece) withe the ball/toe aligned just like that this week. Also focus on using a consistent backswing that is a little shorter (less power) than normal (aka don't murder the ball). I think you will be cured in two range sessions.

[Rainmaker]

I'm not a 5 handicapper but I'm pretty good at shanking.  When it happens for me more than once it's usually because of sequencing - doing something at wrong time or because I'm thinking about one thing so hard that another thing or things "drop out" of my swing.  Perhaps I'm so focused on feeling my backswing position or whatever that I'll just flub my weight shift or something else. 

Typically when I shank more than once (ie - if I'm shanking during a round), my head is full of mechanical/position/swing thoughts.  To make it stop, I'll clear my head and then just think about hitting the ball solid and nothing else.  I've never had it happen where my mind is clear, no swing thoughts, swing feels good but lots of shanks from out of the blue.  That would be scary.  For that I would go to the video camera - sure I picked up some kind of bad swing or set-up habit. 

[Gfleck067]

Take all your change and put it in your left pocket, double knot your left shoe, flip your hat around backwards, put a tee behind your left ear..

 

sorry ry I had to

 

 

but seriously you obviously are a good golfer you are probably over thinking it. Take a week away and just go out and play a round and see what happens 

[Grndslmhttr3]

I have issues with the shanks from time to time. I'm pretty sure it's due to me falling toward the ball during the swing, but I don't know for sure. I do seem to hit it better when I make a conscious effort to keep my weight more toward my ankles/arches of my feet as opposed to the balls or toes (might be wrong like most facets of my game), so I think that's the problem.

[Buckeyebowman]

On 6/23/2016 at 0:22 AM, blycan13 said:

Hey guys... If you read the title, you know what's going on. The dreaded "S" word.

Ive somehow developed the shanks of late. I thought it was a one day thing, but it's progressed, maybe even gotten worse. 

I have no idea why this happening! Is it my swing? Is it my posture? Is it muscle mass I've added to my frame? (Just was hired as a firefighter, so I was hitting the gym too much) 

 

Any and all help is appreciated. I've gone from a 5 handicap, to being too embarrassed to step onto the range. 

Despite some of the replies posted, I'm going to take you at your word, and believe that you are, indeed, hitting a shank! In other words the dreaded "lateral shot off the hosel"!

You also mentioned that you have been hitting the gym to prepare yourself for firefighting duty. GOOD ON YOU!!! I know a couple of local firefighters, and they work their asses off to be prepared. 

I would ask you where you think the bulk of your added mass resides. Is it in your upper body? Arms, shoulders, neck and chest? Since muscle tissue is much denser and heavier than fatty tissue, this area could be much heavier than before.

You didn't mention on what shots you have this problem. Can it happen anywhere, or is it on a particular type of shot? When I had an issue with the shanks it was on mid-range pitches about 40-50-60 yards. Fulls shots and chips were no issue. What I discovered was that I was allowing my body to fall toward the ball, allowing a weight shift into the balls of my feet.

Now, I try to keep my weight centered between the balls and heels of my feet. Occasionaly, my weight will settle into my heels and I'll end up pulling the ball left of target, but I'll usually end up still on the green. I can live with that.

[mchepp]

This is likely a swing related issue. Have you started a "My Swing" thread where we can take a look and offer advice?

Here is a quick video to help you stop. This doesn't fix the root cause but it might help retrain your brain so you can play.

 

[gregsandiego]

On 6/22/2016 at 9:22 PM, blycan13 said:

Hey guys... If you read the title, you know what's going on. The dreaded "S" word.

Ive somehow developed the shanks of late. I thought it was a one day thing, but it's progressed, maybe even gotten worse. 

I have no idea why this happening! Is it my swing? Is it my posture? Is it muscle mass I've added to my frame? (Just was hired as a firefighter, so I was hitting the gym too much) 

 

Any and all help is appreciated. I've gone from a 5 handicap, to being too embarrassed to step onto the range. 

Do you have an instructor you trust? That's the obvious best choice. Better than diagnosing it yourself from this forum for sure. If you could fix it yourself you wouldn't be doing it.

[70sSanO]

I second the advice of going to the range and playing the ball closer to the toe with impact tape and see where the strikes are.  As you have bulked up you may have lost a bit of flexibility and are not able to naturally compensate for being a bit too close at setup or swinging a bit more extended on the downswing.

John

Edited June 29, 2016 by 70sSanO

[Piz]

The shanks are the crazy, former, girlfriend you hadn't thought of until...son of Habbib...there she is...it cannot be anyone else...how is it that our paths have crossed again?  DO NOT WORRY!...She will go away again...if you don't try to explain why that would be a good idea.  It has nothing to do with anything and the sooner you stop trying to insist that it does the sooner you won't remember why the subject came up in the first place.  Alternatively, you could sacrifice your first born...which opens up a whole new can of worms...

[Valleygolfer]

I don't know your knowledge of the golf swing but if you don't understand it you should probably consider a pro. If you do know it, you know it can be caused by a lot of different things. I will get the shanks on the range for about 10-20 shots occasionally. I will tell you what happens with me. I will generally get fast on my tempo and rotate my torso too early in the shot. Also during this I somehow set up too close to the ball. I slow down the back swing or do half swings and set up with the ball at the toe of the club. Gradually work up to full swing.

[danielS]

Thanks for your work as a firefighter.

Please bend down your waist a little bit more, and do your normal swing!  

This should fix shank! 

[baw1]

Yesterday I shanked 2 shots during an otherwise very solid round. They cost me dearly. I also had a mixed range session earlier in the week. Start off well (20-40 balls) with good shots then all of a sudden the wheels come off. This has happened numerous times before at the range. Very seldom on the course.

I am really curious as to what is going on to cause this!? Is it simply mental/physical fatigue? Stamina?

[Groucho Valentine]

Cudos to the guy in that video if he hit that shank on purpose. Ive never been able to do that...

[DaveP043]

2 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

Cudos to the guy in that video if he hit that shank on purpose. Ive never been able to do that...

You gotta learn that shot for the range.  Its a great way to get extra handicap strokes, shank a couple while you're warming up next to your upcoming opponent..

[natureboy]

2 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

You gotta learn that shot for the range.  Its a great way to get extra handicap strokes, shank a couple while you're warming up next to your upcoming opponent..

I assume you're kidding, but not consistent with your post all rounds message elsewhere