The Shanks in Golf: Avoiding the Dreaded Shot

Do your golf buddies or buddyettes call you Shank-a-potamous, Shank-a-saurus, Shanks-a-lot, or a nickname of a similar persuasion?

I know from experience (AND LOTS OF IT!) that lining up and doing my pre-shot routine just to get the shanks is so annoying.

The shank is when the ball hits either the hosel, heel, or some other part of the club other than the sweet spot. Obviously, the results are not great, causing the ball to go sporadically in direction and losing distance.

I am going to break down what causes the shanks in golf and how you can improve your swing to minimize the chance of them happening. 

Key Takeaways

• The shanks can be caused by factors including incorrect swing path, improper grip or club face position, and incorrect combination of stance, ball position, and club length.

• Shanks can be cured by proper setup and ball position, a smoother inside-out swing path, and squaring the club face up to the ball on contact.

• Shanks isn't just hitting the hosel, and can also happen when making contact too close to the heel.

• It isn't just beginner golfers that get the shanks, as professional golfers do too once-in-a-while. The shanks can be easily fixed if you put in the effort.

What Causes the Shanks in Golf?

Incorrect Swing Path

One major cause of shanks in golf is an incorrect swing path.

When your club swings too far inside OR outside the target line, the hosel is more likely to hit the ball and send it who the hell knows where. 

Part of the process of building better swing is learning how to increase swing speed, however, if a greater swing speed causes your swing path to get out of sync it is best to work in consistently getting the swing path and swing tempo in order before ramping up speed.

Improper Clubface Positioning or Grip

This typically occurs when the clubface is too open, resulting in the clubhead striking the ball on the heel. 

To correct this issue, you need to identify the error in your clubface positioning and make the necessary adjustments:

• Open clubface: The ball will likely fire to the right for right-handed golfers. In this case, you need to work on squaring the clubface at the point of impact.

• Closed clubface: Though less common, a closed clubface can also lead to shanks. If the ball curves heavily to the left for a right-handed golfer, try to open the clubface slightly.

Another potential cause of shanks is an improper grip. You must ensure that your grip offers sufficient control over the club without being too tight or loose. 

Stance, Ball Position, Body and Weight Distribution Issues

Other factors that can bring out the shank storm:

• Incorrect ball position: If you position the ball too far forward or too far back in your stance, you might hit a hosel rocket.

• Stance: Align and square yourself to the target. Starting with a poor stance puts you in a more likely position to bring out the shank monster.

• Weight distribution: When your body moves too far towards or away from the ball during the swing, it disrupts your posture, leading to shanks.

• Club length: Too long or too short? Your height can impact the quality of your contact with the ball.

Simple Cures for the Shanks

Setup and Address Position

To fix shanks, start by adjusting your setup and address position. 

Ensure that you stand a comfortable distance from the ball, keeping your weight on your heels throughout the swing. 

Stand tall with your chest up, and avoid holding the club too tightly. 

Ensure your weight remains balanced and doesn't shift toward your toes.

Swing Path Drill and Tips

Practicing swing path drills can help correct shanks. 

Try the following drill:

• Place a club on the ground parallel to your target line.

• Set up another club or alignment stick vertically in front of your toes, about 3-4 inches away from the ball.

• Practice swinging your club and hitting the ball without contacting the vertical stick.

This drill helps train a more in-to-out swing path and promotes a square clubface through impact. 

Clubface Control Techniques

If your clubface is all over the place on your swing, your chances of hitting the Harry the Hosel increase exponentially. You have to maintain control of the clubface so that contact with the ball is square.

• Make sure the clubface is square at address and not open.

• Maintain a consistent grip pressure throughout the swing.

• Keep your hands ahead of the clubface during impact.

Exercises for Preventing Shanks

Stability and Posture Improvement

Here are some posture improvement exercises to try:

• Pelvic Tilts: Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Tilt your pelvis forward and backward, feeling the stretch in your lower back.

• Spine Rotations: The feet should be shoulder-width apart, and a club should be placed across your shoulders. Rotate your spine left and right while maintaining stability through your legs.

• Hip Hinges: Hold a club behind your back, touching your head, shoulders, and lower back. Bend forward at the hips, keeping the club in contact with your body.

Weight Transfer Exercises

Ensure your body weight is evenly distributed between your feet at setup and smoothly shifts throughout the swing. 

You can practice this by performing some simple weight transfer exercises:

• Lunge and Twist: With your feet hip-width apart, step forward into a lunge position. While in the lunge, rotate your torso towards the front leg.

• Single-Leg Swings: Stand on one leg and swing a club with your other hand. Focus on keeping your balance and controlling the weight shift as you swing back and through.

You might think it’s silly, but proper posture, stance, and flexibility/weight transfer will help smooth out your swing and, ultimately, the club path. 

Psychological Aspects of Shanks

Shanks in golf can be frustrating and mentally challenging for golfers at any level.

Unclear what this is, but it's still better than the shanks 

Like I said, the jokes can be fun, but if you are constantly hitting them, you become anxious to a certain degree whenever you line up to hit a ball. It becomes like you are just HOPING not to hit a shank.

That is not fun at all and destroys most of the enjoyment level of golf. 

Confidence

Not having it or losing it can impact your overall game. 

When you fire a hosel rocket, you will likely feel disheartened, which may shake your self-assurance. It can happen to anyone, and dwelling on them can lead to more mishits. 

Focus on your game's positives and continue improving your overall set-up and swing. 

Mental State

Also contributes to shanks. I said the more it happens, the more anxiety you get just thinking about the possibility of hitting a shank as you address the golf ball.

This overthinking can create tension in your grip as you stand there and throw your entire swing off, causing a shank. The loop is ridiculous, and nobody wants that. 

Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises can also be beneficial in managing stress during your golf round.

Visualize the ball's flight path before your swing and be fully present, remembering the key points during your swing. Continue practicing, and you will get more consistent contact with the ball and reduce the risk of shanks.

Common Shank Myths and Misconceptions

Myth 1: The Shank is always caused by hitting the ball with the hosel

While the term "hosel rockets" is fun to say, it doesn't ALWAYS happen because of hitting the hosel. Shanks can also happen when the ball is struck too close to the heel of the club, sending it to places you don’t want it to be.

Myth 2: Shanking only happens to newer golfers

It is a common misconception that only amateur golfers hit shanks.

That is probably because if you watch any professional tour (PGA, LIV, DP World Tour, LPGA, etc), you are just bombarded with shot after shot of marvelous execution.

The truth is, every golfer, regardless of skill level, can experience shanking. 

Just ask Jon Rahm:

Myth 3: Standing too close or too far from the ball causes shanks

You may have heard that an improper stance will always lead to shanks. While an incorrect distance between you and the ball can contribute to shanking, it is not the sole cause. 

There are various reasons why shanks can occur, such as:

• Incorrect grip

• Improper body position

• Faulty swing plane

You can stand an improper distance from the ball (far or close) and still get the clubface squared up to make solid contact. 

Standing too far or close makes it much more challenging to get that consistent contact.

Myth 4: A shank is impossible to fix

This is the psychological part of the game creeping up again.

Just listen to one of my favorite quotes of all time. Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”

The shanks are not impossible to fix. The only thing stopping you is yourself. 

If you want to be positive and improve your swing, the next time you hit a shank, it will be hilarious since they will be few and far between.

Do Pro Golfers Hit Shanks?

This was answered above with big Rahm and his shank. I'm posing the question again so you can see that everyone is human.

If you get the shanks, don’t worry. Laugh it off.

The shanks can be fixed if you truly want them to be.

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