Fault Fixing: Shank Shots

1. The Cause
o Any ball that is struck from the heel or hosel
of the golf club, is known as a shank and
often referred to as the most destructive shot
in golf. The ball shoots quickly off line to the
right often very low and maybe accompanied
by a “click” sound at impact.

o This shot is commonly caused by a mistake

in the address position or lack of balance
throughout the swing.

o Firstly, check that you are not addressing the ball in the heel
during your set process.

o Secondly, check that you are not setting up too close to the ball.
Address the ball and let the grip rest on your left thigh. It should fall
about an inch above your kneecap.

o Thirdly, ensure that you are well balanced at the address

position, with your body weight evenly balanced between your
heels and toes. If too much weight is on your heels or your toes it
can cause you to strike the ball out of the heel or hosel of the club.

o Finally, as you swing, the biggest contributing factor to a shank is

bringing the club over the top and in front of your body. Make
sure you start your downswing by keeping the club behind your body for as long as
possible.

Downswing is “over
the top” – too much
in front of the body

Downswing is kept
behind the body
delivering the club
from a path inside
the ball

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2. Anti-Shank Drill #1
o Using your 7 iron, set up to the ball as normal. Take care to focus on your distance
away from the ball as well as maintaining good balance throughout your swing.

o Start by placing the club behind the ball and make some good quality practice
swings. However, during your downswing, pull the club inwards towards your body
so that you actually miss the ball and hit the
ground inside the ball. Repeat this process
until you can confidently strike the floor in the
intended area.

o Now make some swings with a similar feel but

this time aim to try and just clip the ball from the
toe edge of the club. Done correctly, this will
produce a weak ball flight that shoots out to the
right and also sounds like quite a poor strike. It
may even look like a shank but rest assured it is
great way of correcting it and not encouraging it.

o If ever you’re worried about hitting a shank on the course, just make some practice
swings addressing a specific patch of ground and then pulling the club inside that
patch through impact so you miss it. Then set up to the ball and maintain a swing
thought of hitting the ball right out the centre of the club.

3. Anti-Shank Drill #2
o Using your 7 iron, set up to the ball as normal, then place another ball about one
balls width on the outside.

o Now go ahead and address the ball nearest to you (the inside ball). Make a good
swing and try to play the inside ball as normal. If your swing is correct, the inside
ball should fly nicely and the outside ball should remain in the same position. If the
outside ball is moved, be aware that your club is not returning to the position at
which it was when you addressed the ball.

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