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19th May 2009 01:52 PM
#1
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
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).
H'cap start 06 - 15 - Goal 06 - 10 - End 06 - 15
H'cap start 07 - 15 - Goal 07 - 12 - End 07 - 10
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Alister MacKenzie
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19th May 2009 01:58 PM
#2
Senior Member
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
Terrible feeling, but the thought of the word is enough for some folk, so good luck with it !!!
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19th May 2009 02:00 PM
#3
Senior Member
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
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19th May 2009 02:03 PM
#4
Senior Member
Touring Pro (PGA)
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?
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19th May 2009 02:03 PM
#5
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
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.
H'cap start 06 - 15 - Goal 06 - 10 - End 06 - 15
H'cap start 07 - 15 - Goal 07 - 12 - End 07 - 10
H'cap start 08 - 10 - Goal 08 - 9 - Now - 11 (10.5) - Best 9.1
MIKE Link - OLD
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THE Bag
"I have always wanted to live where one could practice shots in one's pyjamas before breakfast"
Alister MacKenzie
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19th May 2009 02:16 PM
#6
Senior Member
Major Winner
Originally Posted by
mikezone13
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
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19th May 2009 02:25 PM
#7
Senior Member
Major Winner
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.
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19th May 2009 02:32 PM
#8
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
Originally Posted by
virge666
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!
H'cap start 06 - 15 - Goal 06 - 10 - End 06 - 15
H'cap start 07 - 15 - Goal 07 - 12 - End 07 - 10
H'cap start 08 - 10 - Goal 08 - 9 - Now - 11 (10.5) - Best 9.1
MIKE Link - OLD
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THE Bag
"I have always wanted to live where one could practice shots in one's pyjamas before breakfast"
Alister MacKenzie
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19th May 2009 06:51 PM
#9
Senior Member
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
Originally Posted by
mikezone13
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.
--
Criticism doesn't bother me, as it means I am doing something and people are watching.
Handy-Cap
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19th May 2009 07:18 PM
#10
Senior Member
Multiple Major Winner
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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TSR3 15deg |
TSR2 3H |
T100 4-GW |
Vokey 56 & 60 |
Newport 2.5
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19th May 2009 07:41 PM
#11
May sound obvious but have you tried standing an inch or two further from the ball? You hitting any slightly fat as well?
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19th May 2009 08:35 PM
#12
Senior Member
Ozgolf Supporter
Major Winner
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
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19th May 2009 09:10 PM
#13
Senior Member
Touring Pro (PGA)
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?
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19th May 2009 09:15 PM
#14
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
Originally Posted by
oldmannoodles
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.
Originally Posted by
Eag's
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.
H'cap start 06 - 15 - Goal 06 - 10 - End 06 - 15
H'cap start 07 - 15 - Goal 07 - 12 - End 07 - 10
H'cap start 08 - 10 - Goal 08 - 9 - Now - 11 (10.5) - Best 9.1
MIKE Link - OLD
MIKE Link - NEW
THE Bag
"I have always wanted to live where one could practice shots in one's pyjamas before breakfast"
Alister MacKenzie
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19th May 2009 09:40 PM
#15
Senior Member
Ozgolf Supporter
Major Winner
Originally Posted by
mikezone13
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.
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19th May 2009 10:15 PM
#16
Senior Member
Major Winner
Originally Posted by
henno
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.
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19th May 2009 10:30 PM
#17
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
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
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20th May 2009 01:10 AM
#18
Senior Member
Major Winner
And also look at everyones weight when they shank.
Always miles behind it.
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20th May 2009 03:47 PM
#19
Senior Member
Major Winner
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.
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20th May 2009 03:57 PM
#20
Senior Member
Touring Pro (PGA)
Last edited by Jono; 20th May 2009 at 04:23 PM.
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20th May 2009 04:28 PM
#21
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
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20th May 2009 05:18 PM
#22
Senior Member
Major Winner
Originally Posted by
golfer69
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.
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20th May 2009 07:25 PM
#23
Senior Member
Touring Pro (European Tour)
Originally Posted by
oldmannoodles
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.
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20th May 2009 07:32 PM
#24
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
Originally Posted by
golfer69
I've never had a shank so I'm no help here.
Yes you have, under a cart into my ankle at Kooindah Waters
H'cap start 06 - 15 - Goal 06 - 10 - End 06 - 15
H'cap start 07 - 15 - Goal 07 - 12 - End 07 - 10
H'cap start 08 - 10 - Goal 08 - 9 - Now - 11 (10.5) - Best 9.1
MIKE Link - OLD
MIKE Link - NEW
THE Bag
"I have always wanted to live where one could practice shots in one's pyjamas before breakfast"
Alister MacKenzie
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20th May 2009 08:33 PM
#25
Admin Team
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
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