FIXED MY SHANKS!!!! Thanks Golf-tuition.

[DrChoi]

I'm a new member and i keep getting this screen that says "Our records indicate that you have not yet posted..." so this will be my contribution...

Anyways, for a long time i have been mishitting my driver on the heel side. I dont think i have toed a shot in about 1 year. Then 2 weeks ago i started shanking my irons. I realized that this was probably a progression of a swing fault from my driver and now to my irons and this was COMPLETLEY ruining my game.and i started reading this forum and saw something that seemed to make sense.

I had always heard that you arms should be relaxed, hanging naturally from your shoulders and i can definitely tell my distance is better when my arms are tension free. Somehow, i started pressing my hands straight down. I guess this increased the angle between my left arm and the shaft. When i would swing, this angle disappears and the club straightens. When the club straightens, my arm + club is effectively longerr, and i end up hitting the hosel. Anyways i try not to press my hands down anymore, but still try to stay tension free. I fixed my shanks that had bothered me for about 2-3 weeks in 1 range session.

Probably alot of reasons why ppl shank, but this was the cure for me. I always felt good about my swing, but i just could not figure out WHY i was shanking until now. Hope this helps

[Ian Hancock]

Re: FIXED MY SHANKS!!!! Thanks Golf-tuition.

DrChoi,

A very interesting post, and a great insite to a problem and cure.


I am sure the members will appreciate your input.


Thanks again


Ian.

[arod16]

Re: FIXED MY SHANKS!!!! Thanks Golf-tuition.

that's what I was looking for. over the last 3-4 rounds I've had at least 2-3 shanks. I will be more aware of the way my arms hang.

thanks, Doc.

[tigerwannabee]

Re: FIXED MY SHANKS!!!! Thanks Golf-tuition.

NOt sure what your swing problems are, as I'd have to see your swing to figure that one out. The most logical thing to do with heeling a driver and shanking irons would be step back a bit further from your ball when setting up.

[canadian_man_44]

Re: FIXED MY SHANKS!!!! Thanks Golf-tuition.

I was shanking my irons something terrible a couple seasons ago. All I had to do was set up with the ball at the toe of the clubs instead of in the middle and I've been hitting my irons straight everytime since then.

[DrChoi]

Re: FIXED MY SHANKS!!!! Thanks Golf-tuition.

well thats one way to do it... line up at the toe, another is. just keep your hands not so straight down.

[canadian_man_44]

Re: FIXED MY SHANKS!!!! Thanks Golf-tuition.

Yes, that would work too. For me though, I hit driver, fairway woods and irons with my hands in the same position. I hit everything else well and I didn't want to mess up my driver by getting a different hand position in my head, so I just stepped back a little with my irons. Whatever works for you, I guess.

Happy golfing.

[BrianW]

Re: FIXED MY SHANKS!!!! Thanks Golf-tuition.

Hi,

Another cause of shanking is putting your weight to much on the balls of your feet at address, this can make you lean further forward on the downswing.

A good exercise to stop this is to put a golf ball under the toe of each shoe when practising, this will force you to move your weight back towards your heels and stop you leaning forwards.

Regards
Brian