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What Are The Shanks In Golf?
Shanks occur when a golf ball hits the hosel of the club instead of the clubface. The hosel is the part of the club where the shaft comes into contact with the clubhead. Hitting the hosel will produce a shot that usually moves greatly to the right (for right-handed players) or left (for left-handed players), resulting in an inaccurate shot. The shank is commonly called the "dreaded shank" because it can be a difficult problem to address and fix.
What Causes A Shank In Golf?
Players might think that a sudden golf shank has no explanation, but there are clear reasons behind this feared mistake. Let's explore some of the most typical causes:
Swing Path Problems
The swing path is one of the key reasons for shanks in golf. An outside-in swing or over-the-top swing can cause the heel of the club to move across the target line due to the hands flipping and tossing the clubhead. The heel of the club contacts the ball first which results in a shank. Another bad swing path occurs when the golfer swings on an inside-out path. In this case, the heel of the club is getting to the ball first, and therefore the hosel is much closer to contacting the ball.
Clubface Alignment Issues
Make contact with the hosel if the club face is open at impact and is pointing to the right if you are a right-handed golfer. This can happen for an array of reasons, including a weak grip, a bad wrist position, or poor release of the club. Pay attention to the grip to fix clubface alignment issues. Make sure your hands are neutral and grip pressure is consistent throughout the swing.
Get to Know: How To Grip A Golf Club Correctly: Step By Step Guide
Weight Transfer Issues
Good weight transfer keeps golfers balanced and in control. If your weight is too far forward, you will most likely hit the hosel of the club and get a shank. This happens because the body moves toward the ball during a swing, which extends the arms and causes the club head to be away from the body. If your weight is too far back, you may hit the toe of the club and shank the ball.
Loss of Posture
Changing posture while swinging can change the club's path causing the hosel to hit the ball. A grip that lacks strength can cause the clubface to open as you swing, resulting in a shank. If the club moves or turns in the grip during the swing, it can change how the hosel sits in relation to the ball.
Grip Issues
A grip that's too tight can restrict movement and cause the hosel to connect with the ball as it comes through. A grip that's too loose can cause the club to move around too much in your hand and cause a shank. Also, a grip that's too weak can cause the hosel to connect with the ball because the clubface opens when you swing. If the club moves or rolls during a swing, there is a change in the hosel position to the ball, which can lead to shanking the golf shot.
How To Stop Shanking The Golf Ball?
Shanking can be fixed with the right method and lots of practice. Here are some drills and tips to stop shanking the golf ball:
Setup and Alignment Checks
Put a full-length mirror or reflective surface at a right angle to your stance. Look at the reflection while addressing the ball to check the distance from the ball and make sure you're not too close or too far. Put alignment rods on the ground to guide where to place the feet, hips, and shoulders.
Swing Path Corrections
The swing path should be slightly inside-out. This means that the club head travels slightly right of the target line when a downswing is made with a club that has zero degrees of loft (putter). From that point, the swing path pushes the ball toward the intended target and the ball will leave with a square face and less chance of hitting a shank.
Put two tees in the ground just wider than the width of the clubhead to create a "gate". Simply practice swinging the clubhead through this gate to encourage a more neutral path. Another option is to use a towel. Lay a towel down and put it about 4-5 inches behind the ball, still parallel to the intended target line. For an outside-to-inside swing path, hit the towel during a swing.
Learn More: How to Improve Golf Swing — Easy Tips to Improve at Golf
Focus on Short Chipped Shots
One of the easiest ways to learn how to stop shanking irons is to practice short chip shots. Shanks happen way too often because the clubface does not make positive contact with the ball. By shortening that swing to a chip-shot move, see what’s wrong and reset proper impact alignment. Try hitting 10 to 15 short chips and focus on hitting the ball first and then with a small piece of turf. The aim is clean, centered contact from the clubface. When that becomes clear and consistent, gradually move into fuller swings.
Focus on Weight Transfer
Start with your feet together, take a step out with the lead foot which is the beginning of the backswing, then step with the trail foot as you swing through. This drill works on rhythm and also improves weight transfer. Stand on balance discs or wobble boards while doing swing exercises to improve the awareness of weight distribution and stability.
Use a Neutral Clubface
Whether the clubface is opened or closed too much at impact, it will lead to inefficient results. That’s why it’s important to use a neutral clubface. A non-neutral face can be identified by a twisted clubhead or grip issues. If a golf ball curves too much one way or the other, it means that the clubface isn’t neutral.
See a Professional
If you are still having issues with swing, it’s time to get in touch with a professional. A golf pro can analyze your technique and put together a plan for important adjustments. Also, they may instruct certain drills and exercises to improve the game.
Practice with a Tee
Place a tee a few inches out and in front of the ball to stop shank. This will assist to hit the ball in the center of the clubface. You can also try hitting balls off a mat or tee positioned outside front foot to promote a more inside-out swing path.
What Is The Difference Between A Slice And A Shank?
The shank and the slice are two different golf shots, but people often mix them up. A shank, which golfers sometimes call a hosel rocket or a lateral, happens when the ball hits the hosel of the club instead of the clubface. This causes the ball to fly off at an angle to the right for right-handed players. When a golfer shanks the ball, it often makes a unique sound - a sharp "clank" or "ting." This noise can make golfers feel pretty embarrassed on the course.
In contrast, a slice is a shot that bends from left to right (for right-handed golfers). It happens because of sideways spin on the ball often due to an open clubface when hitting. Unlike the shank, the slice doesn't occur from hitting the ball with the club's hosel.