I've been playing 7 years; have taken many lessons; have scored in the range of low 80's to 130's.

Every year I go through a two month period where I shank everything. Yesterday, I played 9 holes and shanked EVERY drive off the tee. I shanked every other approach shot.

Please help. When I say shank, I mean the ball goes dead right 20 to 50 yards. I nearly missed a few balls that went 5 yards to the right. This happens when I'm on the range, playing on my own, and with others. It's not a question of nerves, my mechanics is breaking down somewhere. Can anyone help?

Vinh

I play to a 9 handicap and almost without fail, the shanks reappear after I take a lesson. The problem stems from closing your clubface during the takeaway. When I keep the clubface square at the 3 o'clock position and have it pointing down at the top of my swing, the shanks go away.

I play to a 9 handicap and almost without fail, the shanks reappear after I take a lesson. The problem stems from closing your clubface during the takeaway. When I keep the clubface square at the 3 o'clock position and have it pointing down at the top of my swing, the shanks go away.

Shanks can be caused from poor posture. If you aren't in good position at address then you risk shanking. You can fix it like this. G-A-S-P: Grip, Alignment, Stance, Posture. Make sure your grip is good and light. Make sure your feet and shoulders are square to your target line. Make sure your stance is shoulder width apart so you feel anchored to the ground with your weight centered. Now make sure you bend over at the HIPS, not the waist. If you bend over at the waist, your back is curved and hunched over, not allowing your arms enough room to swing through the ball. Practice this and the shanks should go away. By the way, I'm a 3 handicap and am involved with the PGM Program to become a teaching Professional.

Shanks can be caused from poor posture. If you aren't in good position at address then you risk shanking. You can fix it like this. G-A-S-P: Grip, Alignment, Stance, Posture. Make sure your grip is good and light. Make sure your feet and shoulders are square to your target line. Make sure your stance is shoulder width apart so you feel anchored to the ground with your weight centered. Now make sure you bend over at the HIPS, not the waist. If you bend over at the waist, your back is curved and hunched over, not allowing your arms enough room to swing through the ball. Practice this and the shanks should go away. By the way, I'm a 3 handicap and am involved with the PGM Program to become a teaching Professional.

If you want to fix the shanks all you do is put a ball on the ground and use an iron. Just swing normal and hit your shank now adress another ball now when you swing this time swing way inside close to you a few times then hit the ball in front of you than a dead shot right of you.

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hello my codename is nikegolf90(use nike products, born in 1990) my real name is Mike Thomas.I thank Tiger for this website. I love all the members and what we talk about. Oh yeah NikeGolf will you sponsor me?

I had the shanks too, and one day i was in my backyard and hit ball after ball until i figured out why i was doing it, for me my alignment grip and stance would be correct, but during the swing my weight would lean towards my toes and that would result in the hosel making contact with the ball, all i really had to do was keep my swing on plane, not let my arms get too loose so that the club follows the correct inside out path, and keep my weight in the balls of my feet, and ive never hit one again

5150time]I

I had the shanks too, and one day i was in my backyard and hit ball after ball until i figured out why i was doing it, for me my alignment grip and stance would be correct, but during the swing my weight would lean towards my toes and that would result in the hosel making contact with the ball, all i really had to do was keep my swing on plane, not let my arms get too loose so that the club follows the correct inside out path, and keep my weight in the balls of my feet, and ive never hit one again

Yes! The real solution is always to figure it out for yourself. Nice.

Golf guru here..

Sounds like you are swinging all arms and all your weight in your set up and golf swing is in your heels and not the balls of your feet as it should be.  Try leaning forward which will put your weight on the balls of your feet and keep it there throughout your swing.  Next, when you swing back, turn your hips, shoulders, and arms at the same time (synchronized). This wil round out your swing going back and round it out going thru impact (like a half circle).  Keep your head still and trust it.  Bye bye shanks.  let me know if it works...

You have my sympathies. I have played for 25yrs and been as low as 7 handicap and I still hit the occasional shank. It comes from nowhere and is usually when I am chipping with anything from an 8 iron to a sand wedge. When it happens I can usually put it down to poor posture and looking for the ball before I have finished the stroke. Keep your weight off your toes, don't stand too close to the ball as it narrows your swing plane and try to keep your eyes on the spot the ball is at until after you have played the shot. It doesn't always work but at least it gives you something to think about other than shanking. My record is 48 shanks in a row with a 52" wedge on the practice ground. Anyone beat that ?