One of the more undeniably unsettling golf shots one can make at any time is a golf shank. It is not only dangerous to any bystanders, it is embarrassing to the player and can be a source of mirth to fellow players. It is often difficult to know why one would all of a sudden produce such a fearfully bad shot, and no-one is immune from doing this on occasion.

Understanding The Golf Shank

A golf shank is when the heel of the club makes contact with the ball. This is an area otherwise known as the hosel or the shank of the club, hence the term. This is where the shaft of the club meets the head of the club in the heel of the club. This causes the ball to come away to the right of the target and sometimes this means to the extreme right.

Having your body position too close to the ball and your weight on your toes pushing you too far through the ball thereby connecting the heel of the club with the ball. With the swing constricted in this way you may find the club too much to the inside on the back-swing and so end up swinging too much out in front as you come through to connect with the ball.

Work the toe of the club rather than the heel of the club as you follow through the downswing to address the ball. The club needs to be aligned and square at point of contact.

So What is Required To Fix a Golf Shank ?

Ensure you maintain the correct rotation and not too far out on the back-swing. This can sometimes result in you swinging out in front of the ball too much guaranteeing the club-face will be in the incorrect position at address. You should always ensure that you have a proper set up routine, checking your posture, stance and position from the ball.

Maintaining the correct arc through your swing is vital and this can be achieved by ensuring on your back-swing that your left shoulder is above your right knee ( if you are right handed ). This will allow you to be in the correct position as you come through to make contact with the ball.

By aligning your club-face slightly inside the line of the ball you will have the toe of the club rather than the heel of the club towards the ball.

An alternative way to to stop a golf shank is to put a club or piece of string along the line of the club path slightly outside the position of the ball. Ensure as you swing through that you are aiming to miss the club or string and hit the ball. You cannot possibly shank the ball if you train yourself to aim in this way.

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