Asking for a friend, what is your best cure for the shanks?

[Javs]

While the obvious answer is lessons. However, the local Pro has no openings till next month. What have you used or know as a self help cure or drill to fix the shanks. The issue is club coming in outside the line and weight moving to the toes. The result is not enough room to clear and the dreaded hozel rocket occurs over and over……

[TSauer]

For me, it’s such a mental thing. 

I had an issue a few weeks ago on one particular hole where I shanked a drive straight right (as a lefty). The next few times I played that hole, it was the only thought in my head as I addressed the ball. Guess what? It happened again and again and again. 

I know it’s not really the answer you’re looking for, but when it’s starts happening to me, I try clear my head, go back to the basics and envision a better shot before stepping up to hit. 

[Javs]

39 minutes ago, TSauer said:

For me, it’s such a mental thing. 

I had an issue a few weeks ago on one particular hole where I shanked a drive straight right (as a lefty). The next few times I played that hole, it was the only thought in my head as I addressed the ball. Guess what? It happened again and again and again. 

I know it’s not really the answer you’re looking for, but when it’s starts happening to me, I try clear my head, go back to the basics and envision a better shot before stepping up to hit. 

It’s true about the mental part!

[KC Golf]

Swing fluid and with good rotation vs swaying.  Handy swings are killers.  Usually solves itself quickly.  

[Kenny B]

Can be several causes, but the most common for me is not making my normal rotation.  Happens when I have sore muscles and I tend to “baby” the swing so I don’t hurt.  That results in a more Over The Top move.  

Need to make a good rotation and get back to grooving your normal swing.  My favorite was always a 2x4 placed just outside the ball.  Doesn’t take long!!  

You can also place a second ball slightly toward you from the ball you are addressing.  Make your swing and hit the inside ball.  

[Micah T]

I’ve had my 1st bout with them this year….

 

really kills the enjoyment knowing it’s lurking…

For me it was club face rather than swing plane: my face had started rotating open during the takeaway and I couldn’t close it before impact. I’m working on keeping my left palm down during takeaway: it’s really exaggerated and if I try to hit balls that way I just smother-hook them, but it is helping: the real killer is the mental part of knowing there’s a shank in the tank at any moment…

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Usually if it happens to me it is because I’m crowding the ball at address. Usually backing away 1/2” fixes it. But if I am working on consistent strike positions on the club face and dialing in new clubs I use a gate drill.

I put two tees in the ground or mat with 1/2” clearance between the toe of the club and the heal. Then using your normal swing with no ball, swing the club between the tees. You’ll know right away. If your hitting the tee further away you’re going to shank. If the one closest to you your going to hit off the toe. Once you adjust your proximity to the tees and swinging through the gate cleanly take note of the distance between the butt of the club and your body. 
 

[Off Map Oscar]

I had these a couple months ago. Thought I was thinning it. Turns out it was all hosel rockets. 

 

 

Hockey slap shots helped me. And like @Tom the Golf Nutsaid crowding the ball also. 

[Javs]

8 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

Usually if it happens to me it is because I’m crowding the ball at address. Usually backing away 1/2” fixes it. But if I am working on consistent strike positions on the club face and dialing in new clubs I use a gate drill.

I put two tees in the ground or mat with 1/2” clearance between the toe of the club and the heal. Then using your normal swing with no ball, swing the club between the tees. You’ll know right away. If your hitting the tee further away you’re going to shank. If the one closest to you your going to hit off the toe. Once you adjust your proximity to the tees and swinging through the gate cleanly take note of the distance between the butt of the club and your body. 
 

I agree crowding the ball is a recipe for disaster. I find that if my posture is lazy at address bad things can happen. Weight back and ass out with my chest up is my key focus to good swings.

[The TXBexar]

8 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

Usually if it happens to me it is because I’m crowding the ball at address. Usually backing away 1/2” fixes it. But if I am working on consistent strike positions on the club face and dialing in new clubs I use a gate drill.

I put two tees in the ground or mat with 1/2” clearance between the toe of the club and the heal. Then using your normal swing with no ball, swing the club between the tees. You’ll know right away. If your hitting the tee further away you’re going to shank. If the one closest to you your going to hit off the toe. Once you adjust your proximity to the tees and swinging through the gate cleanly take note of the distance between the butt of the club and your body. 
 

@Javs, I gotta concur with using this technique; Easy to do at the range, the backyard, on the living room carpet, or even the office if you can get away with it. One good thing to add on here about checking your distance once you get set-up properly, is to use your club as a distance to ball tool while in your stance.

There's a video of Payne Stewart showing how to check your stance with your club, that I have linked here, (worth a full 10 min watch by the way, I promise) but at the 2:00 minute mark, he shows how he drops his club from his left hand onto his left knee while in his stance and uses that to see if he is too close or too far from the ball depending on how far above, right on, or below his knee the end of the club hits him on the leg.

It's a simple, easy, not complicated at all but a direct and quick check to see if you are crowding or separating away from the ball. Highly suggest trying this out once you get your swing where you like, that way you can use it to see if you are where you need to be if the shanks make a come-back. 

[The TXBexar]

On 8/8/2024 at 7:43 PM, TSauer said:

For me, it’s such a mental thing. 

I had an issue a few weeks ago on one particular hole where I shanked a drive straight right (as a lefty). The next few times I played that hole, it was the only thought in my head as I addressed the ball. Guess what? It happened again and again and again. 

I know it’s not really the answer you’re looking for, but when it’s starts happening to me, I try clear my head, go back to the basics and envision a better shot before stepping up to hit. 

Could always go with the Tin Cup Fix for the Shanks! I say that half jokingly, but also seriously too; I've done similar stuff just to get my brains out of the way of my swing, and it's amazing how well you can hit the ball while wearing your visor backwards and up-side down, front left pants pocket inside-out, and raising your lead-leg up like your taking a baseball swing during your backswing.

Don't ask for pictures though, I made sure to threaten my buddies lives if a picture of that every made it's way out into the world, and I'd hate to have to bury my friend somewhere deep in the woods of East Texas. 

[Syks7]

I always favor this Tiger drill.  I've found most shanks (in my case) come from getting a bit stuck and not clearing my lead hip out of the way.  That leads to my trail hip moving toward the ball which leaves no space for my hands to come through.  The hands move toward the ball... and you know the rest.  This drill is a great over-exaggerated way to keep your hips from moving toward the ball and it's a solid feel for pushing that lead hip back out of the way.

 

[Josh Parker]

Tempo, tempo tempo....  1/2 shots, 3/4 and full at the range

[Shankster]

When I get the Alan’s, it is normally on partial wedge shots.  I (Shanks) tend to go away on my own though after a few weeks of doubt, low self esteem, and frustration. It always seems to happen when I am about to have a break through round, low score, or have some sort of mental pressure I put on myself that is completely made up, it’s not like I’m playing for LIV money out here…

[Erin B]

 

[PrayingForPar]

9/10 times I have the shanks it is a super basic setup issue that I let slide without noticing...Usually one of the following problems:

• Shoulders aren't square at setup
• Leaning too Much/Too Upright
• Grip has gone weak/strong
• Ball Placement is too far back/forward
• Setup too Far/Close to Ball
• Transitioning too Fast
• Being human

 

[cnosil]

Scottie provided some insight in one of his latest interviews:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ZNCT7Ou9V/?img_index=2

 

[sirchunksalot]

3 hours ago, cnosil said:

Scottie provided some insight in one of his latest interviews:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ZNCT7Ou9V/?img_index=2

 

He's not lying. 

[Javs]

45 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

He's not lying. 

We all do it at sometime

Edited September 2 by Javs

[bens197]

Set the ball off the toe. Start with 20 yard pitches. Then work from there. 

[Hook DeLoft]

First of all, I don't appreciate the nasty language in the thread title.  Gentlemen and ladies don't use the s word.  Here is a band-aid for the hosel fades until you can get a session with your pro:  set up with your weight on the ball of your feet and try to hit the ball off the toe of the club.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Best cure is try to shank it and listen to the KVV podcast about them.