Developing the shanks!!

[BrianW]

Re: Developing the shanks!!

I think the majority of the time it is because my clubface is open at impact. I also think that confidence and thinking about mechanics is a big part of it too. I dont get a whole lot of time to goto the driving range to work on my game, which is a really big downfall. I just switched from a standard set of clubs to clubs that fit me and I am still trying to adjust in the length addition to them. The golf swing is very complicated and there are prolly a hundred different things that can go wrong in a lot of swings that end in a bad shot. It just seems that I am getting worse the more I play. Has anyone done that and is there hope of getting out and improving my game? I am seriously thinking about getting some instruction but I feel like I dont want to pay someone if they really dont know how to correct my swing. any suggestions?

Generally, golf lessons with a good PGA Pro are well worthwhile if you can afford the time and expence.

Of course there is hope of improvement! You will probably find that your problems are down to a few small faults that you will be able to eradicate once they are made clear to you. Try to adopt a positive mind set and believe that what one man can do another can do.

[Leepy]

Re: Developing the shanks!!

I have to say Im more inclined to agree with Brian, whenever I sh... sh.... sh... (no cant say it) it is because i am coming over the top and casting. As he says everyone is entitled to their opinion, what works for some may not work for others.

[DrChoi]

Re: Developing the shanks!!

This is why I shank (at least why i think i do). Its because I lower my spine angle during the shot.

When i try to swing hard, sometimes i dip my head. 2 things can happen if you dip your head (lower your spine angle) you either chunk it, or you heel it. If you heel it badly enough.... you shank it.

Things i do to prevent it: keep a straight back, concentrate on maintaining spine angle, and make sure my hands are not TOO pressed down to the ground. If your hands are too low/pushed down too far down you create an angle (arms and the club) then when you swing that angle becomes a straight line and in effect will make the club+arm length longer and will heel/shank the ball.

[nosaradan]

Re: Developing the shanks!!

I think shanks can be caused by a variety of reasons, can't they? For the past month and a half I had been doing battle with the shanks. They came out of nowhere one day in the middle of a bucket at the range. Literally out of nowhere -- I went from no shanks to better than 50% -- probably more like 75% shanks. I could hit them with an open, square, or even closed club face. I am certain it was happening because I was throwing my shoulder out (around) first, rather than allowing it to come down and underneath my chin first, and then around.

I saw on GTO a few weeks ago a thread where Brian had posted the "Shank no more" Ritson-Sole video. I worked on that (along with some timing issues) and while I still hit an occasional hosel rocket, they are really all but gone.

That thought/feeling of having my right shoulder come down, left shoulder up as a first move in the downswing is what I think about and that really has helped me create solid center-face impact more often. In fact, I stand about an inch closer to the ball (where I am supposed to stand -- I backed away from it due to shanks, which only creates more problems) and occasionally, I have found myself hitting more out toward the toe of the club, which is something I had NEVER done before.

Anyway, that video is golden and a huge thank you to Brian for posting it -- at least a couple of times now.

Dan

[jambalaya]

Re: Developing the shanks!!

I think the majority of the time it is because my clubface is open at impact. I also think that confidence and thinking about mechanics is a big part of it too. I dont get a whole lot of time to goto the driving range to work on my game, which is a really big downfall. I just switched from a standard set of clubs to clubs that fit me and I am still trying to adjust in the length addition to them. The golf swing is very complicated and there are prolly a hundred different things that can go wrong in a lot of swings that end in a bad shot. It just seems that I am getting worse the more I play. Has anyone done that and is there hope of getting out and improving my game? I am seriously thinking about getting some instruction but I feel like I dont want to pay someone if they really dont know how to correct my swing. any suggestions?

You can get more out of the instruction if you understand the basics of the golf swing better. But then again getting instruction can inspire you to learn more about the basics of the swing. My instructor didn't help me as much as I had hoped but I wouldn't trade the experience. His instruction caused me to try and understand what he was trying to tell me. Take some lessons to get yourself started. I used to pick up copies of golf digest and listen to people talk about different aspects of the swing and just didn't get it until I really began working on it. You will find that you understand points about the swing differently than others. You need a slightly different explanation for it to click.

As for the shanks, for me it was throwing the right shoulder out or the outside to in swing. Do you take divots when you swing? Are the divots parallel with your stance or are they at an angle. That can tell you your club head path coming to the ball.