Fixing the shanks.....

The shanks are undoubtedly the most destructive shots in golf. Obviously seeing the ball shooting off at right angles is pretty harming on its own, let alone the mental scarring it leaves. Often one shank, maybe the first in months, can lead to several more. The thought of hitting one makes it almost impossible to commit to hitting through the ball with any kind of confidence.

What is a shank?
The most common form of shank I see when teaching is caused when the clubhead gets too far ouside the ball at the point of impact, resulting in the ball striking the hosel of the club. The worst shank will result in the ball shooting extremely low (knee height) almost at right angles to where you are standing. This can often lead to penalty shots or an extremely awkward shot next up.

 Strike position for a shank & the resulting direction

Quick fix.....

A quick fix for the shanks if to position a head cover close to the ball at address. When I say close I mean so that the headcover is less than a centremetre away from the toe of the club. Now, taking your normal swing, try hitting the ball but miss the headcover. The thought should be more to miss the headcover rather than trying to hit the ball. You have already been trying to hit the ball but struggled with shanks, so we know that thought will not work.

  Position the headcover so it is almost touching the toe of the club.
You need to return to this position at impact

If you miss the headcover then you are stopping the clubhead from getting outside of the ball at the point of impact, which is when you would normally connect with the hosel.

If you hit the headcover then you know that you have come back out side of the ball, it is an instant feedback that will not let you get away with well timed, bad swings.

Just remember....

This is a quick fix. The true reason for your shank will be a deeper lying problem during the swing that needs the attention of a swing coach. 

This drill will change your co-ordination well enough to get you around the course but the problem may well reoccur. Seek professional advice to fix the core problem in your swing.

Look out for more advice and swing tips at www.dangalegolf.com

Dan teaches at The James Andrews School of Golf in East Sussex