If you’ve ever struggled with the dreaded shanks around the greens, you know how soul-destroying they can be. Shanking, especially when chipping, is one of the most feared shots in golf. Luckily, there are clear ways to diagnose and fix this problem. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand what causes shanks and a few drills to help you eliminate and fix your shanks forever.
Understanding the Shank
The good news is that there are only two main ways you might be shanking the ball. The bad news is figuring out which one applies to you. A shank happens when the ball strikes the heel of the club rather than the sweet spot. This occurs because the sweet spot of the clubface has moved too far outside the golf ball at some point during the downswing. This movement can happen in one of two ways:
- In-to-Out Shank: The clubhead travels too far inside to out.
- Out-to-In Shank: The clubhead moves out early and stays there, never getting back inside enough.
Quick Test to Identify Your Shank Type
To determine which type of shank you have, try this simple test:
- Place a golf ball just outside your target line.
- If you can shank the ball without hitting the outside ball, you’re likely dealing with an in-to-out shank.
- If you hit the outside ball, your shank is probably an out-to-in shank.
Drills to Fix Your Shank
In-to-Out Shank Drill
For in-to-out shanks, you need to ensure the club doesn’t travel too far from the inside:
- Place a golf ball inside your target line.
- Practice hitting your primary ball without striking the inside ball. This helps prevent the club from moving too far from the inside.
Out-to-In Shank Drill
If your shank is caused by an out-to-in path:
- Place a golf ball outside your target line.
- Practice hitting your ball while avoiding the outside ball. This encourages a more inside-to-out swing path, reducing the chance of hitting the ball with the heel of the club.
Little T Gate Drill
This drill helps with both types of shanks:
- Set up two tees: one just outside the toe of your club and one closer to the ground on the inside.
- Position the ball slightly ahead of the tees.
- Focus on striking the ball cleanly without hitting either tee. This helps keep your swing path on track and avoids the heel contact that causes shanks.
Internal Focus Adjustments
Understanding your body mechanics can also help to fix your shanks:
- Club Head Distance: A shank can occur if the clubhead gets too far away from you during the swing. To avoid this, focus on keeping the butt of the club relatively close to your body throughout the swing.
- Hand Path: If your hands move away from you early in the downswing, it can lead to a shank. Try to keep your hands close and let the club naturally arc around your body.
- Right Shoulder and Hip: For some golfers, an early movement of the right shoulder and hip over the top of the golf ball can cause shanks. Focus on keeping your right shoulder back and down for a split second before turning through the shot.
Key Takeaways
- Diagnose your shank type with the simple ball placement test.
- Use the appropriate drill (inside ball or outside ball) to correct your swing path.
- Focus on your body mechanics, keeping the club close to you and maintaining proper hand and shoulder movements.
By incorporating these tips and drills, you can fix your shanks and gain more confidence around the greens. Happy golfing!
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