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  1. #1
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    Default The Dreaded Shanks - Tips/Cure please

    OK.. to start things off I had been hitting the ball really well then just out of the blue fairways remain consistent (8/14 and 8/13 on the weekend) but I hit at least 8 shanks per round with all clubs from 5iron through to lobby.

    This meant -11 in a par game on Saturday (highly embaressing) and a very very scrappy 31 points that was aved thanks to some big hitting to get me within chipping range on short 4's and all 5's and a few birds.

    Anyway, I think I know the 3 reasons I am shanking...

    1. Too much arms in the swing and not enough shoulder turn
    2. Lower body is sliding towards the ball (partly due to point 1)
    3. My swing has become too flat and the hosel is being presented to the ball (yuck)

    So what tips do you have for me to try and get out of the shanks and back "on the grooves".

    I managed to nubble my way roudn on Sunday by sitting up to hit big cuts with an out to in path with my irons, but for someone whose natural shape is normally a draw this just gave me a false sense of security so after a few nicely struck cuts I'd try to hit a straight ball or a draw and shank it again.

    Any tips, cures, advice welcome - especially looking for drills I can do at home and not on the course (i.e. no ball hitting).
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  2. #2
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    Terrible feeling, but the thought of the word is enough for some folk, so good luck with it !!!



  3. #3
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    Send Eag's a PM, he hasn't hit one for ages
    Originally Posted by sms316
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  4. #4
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    Shanks are caused by not c0cking your wrists properly and keeping clubhead lag during your downswing. The more you shank the tighter you grip the club and the shorter the swing gets bringing the shoulders into the act to get more power. The cure is to fully c0ck the wrists during the backswing and to retain the greater part of this angle during the first half of the downswing. A light grip and relaxed arms are part of the cure.
    Consciousness and awareness - awareness is being aware of what is happening and being aware of what is happening within ourselves while we are conscious. Where did I leave my glasses?

  5. #5
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    I should've prefaced this by saying I have had them before and got through them so I'm not at an Ian Baker-Finch stage just yet.
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by mikezone13 View Post
    I should've prefaced this by saying I have had them before and got through them so I'm not at an Ian Baker-Finch stage just yet.
    Easy fix - go and hit some low cuts.... no ... not shanks... low cuts. Use 8i and 6i.

    Shanks are caused by exccessively closing the impact. You need to stop doing this.

    Be at the range on Thursday to help sort it out. It really is bloody easy to fix. You just need a bit of faith.

    Enjoy

  7. #7

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    Virge, I was the opposite during last year's shank-athon. I was leading in with the hosel, and basically not closing the impact enough.

    But yeah, they suck.



  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by virge666 View Post
    Be at the range on Thursday to help sort it out. It really is bloody easy to fix. You just need a bit of faith.
    Fingers crossed I'll see you there!
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by mikezone13 View Post
    Any tips, cures, advice welcome - especially looking for drills I can do at home and not on the course (i.e. no ball hitting).
    you have got to be a good golfer to hit shanks, as that is a really narrow part of the clubhead. any dill can use the clubface.

    But if you really want to get rid of them, try to hit shanks deliberately, and you will find that you cant.
    --
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  10. #10
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    another helpful tip is to check your ball position. Some people (like me) hit shanks when the ball creeps too far back in the stance.

    golflink WITB
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  11. #11

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    May sound obvious but have you tried standing an inch or two further from the ball? You hitting any slightly fat as well?

  12. #12
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    Mike, I had big issues with the shanks awhile back. My coach told me to set up to the ball with the toe of each iron rather than in the middle of the club. Sounds to simple but worked a treat.
    I haven't hit a shank since and it has been at least 20 rounds

  13. #13
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    Teaching pro Gary Calder recommends curling one's toes upwards from address to finish, stops a forward sway towards the ball, if that is the cause of shanking.
    Consciousness and awareness - awareness is being aware of what is happening and being aware of what is happening within ourselves while we are conscious. Where did I leave my glasses?

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldmannoodles View Post
    May sound obvious but have you tried standing an inch or two further from the ball? You hitting any slightly fat as well?
    No, no fat shots... although I have just switched to irons that are 1/4" shorter and have heavier shafts than my previous irons, but it can't be them as first day at the range I was striping them with not a shank in sight.

    Quote Originally Posted by Eag's View Post
    Mike, I had big issues with the shanks awhile back. My coach told me to set up to the ball with the toe of each iron rather than in the middle of the club. Sounds to simple but worked a treat.
    I haven't hit a shank since and it has been at least 20 rounds
    Cheers mate, are you saying you're still doing this? I'd hope this is more of a quick fix than a long term solution because I've had many years of no problems lining up the ball in the middle of the clubface.
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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by mikezone13 View Post


    Cheers mate, are you saying you're still doing this? I'd hope this is more of a quick fix than a long term solution because I've had many years of no problems lining up the ball in the middle of the clubface.
    No, I don't set up that way any more but it sure fixed my problem.
    Give it a go on the range mate, sometimes I think it is more a mental problem than physical.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by henno View Post
    Virge, I was the opposite during last year's shank-athon. I was leading in with the hosel, and basically not closing the impact enough.

    But yeah, they suck.

    Are you sure - cause I really doubt it. It is VERY VERY rare to shank the ball by leading with the hosel. Grab a club and try and do it - it feels stupidly wrong and no one with a handicap under 30 would ever get into anything like that position.

    Usually, a leading hosel shank goes left.

  17. #17
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    I shank when my weight starts heading toe wards...

    Looks like a square face here...then rapid close after impact...like he knows it is wrong even before he gets there

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVsTKT1mTr8

  18. #18
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    And also look at everyones weight when they shank.

    Always miles behind it.

  19. #19
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    The worst thing for shanks is asking a forum how to fix them.

    You need to clear your mind of what you're doing wrong, and just hit the ****ing ball!

    However....... Make sure you are rotating properly. When you go to the range, hit a few 7-irons with a 1/2 swing and your feet together. Notice the position you finish in - your belt-buckle will be pointing at your target.

    Now - do that on the course with your feet apart!
    Lucy Harris smart smart smart, Martin Harris dumb.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by virge666 View Post
    Usually, a leading hosel shank goes left.
    Huh?

    Unless you shank it so bad that it hits the other side of the hosel ...

    Mike, try to hit some shots on the toe of the club. You are good enough to do it. Make sure you set up to the ball normally. DON'T stand further away from the ball to address the ball on the toe of your club. This will encourage you to do what you don't want to do, ie. club moving further away from you at impact than at address.

    FWIW, my shanking spell was with a lob wedge when I opened it right up to play a flop shot. UGLY ...
    Last edited by Jono; 20th May 2009 at 03:23 PM.

  21. #21
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    This may sound silly, but i put my practice net right next to a window, haven't shanked since, either into the net out into the paddock or on course

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by golfer69 View Post
    I've never had a shank so I'm no help here.
    Bunters cant shank, Your swing is the cure when someone has a bout of the shanks.
    Naturally grippy

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldmannoodles View Post
    May sound obvious but have you tried standing an inch or two further from the ball? ....
    + 1 here. I had a recent case of the shanks & my teaching pro found I was standing too close to the ball.

    Once the cause is identified, it's cured almost immediately.


  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by golfer69 View Post
    I've never had a shank so I'm no help here.
    Yes you have, under a cart into my ankle at Kooindah Waters
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  25. #25
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    That was on purpose though. I thought you can't shank with a closed face, so hit screaming hooks for a bit.





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