Golf Emergency: Get rid of the Shanks

Yes, this article is all about the dreaded “S” word in golf. No, it’s not the four letter S word you might be thinking when you hit a bad shot.

It’s all about the shanks…

Golf shanks terrify players and even PGA Tour pros can suffer from this nightmare of shot. Just ask Ian Poulter who has an entire YouTube compilation of all of these epic misses (be careful as that is a painful video to watch).

So, what is a shank in golf anyway?

It’s when the golf ball shoots dead right (for a right hander) from an errant golf swing. If you’ve played golf for a while, you likely know this shot (or seen it from others in your group).

This golf shot that is humiliating, embarrassing, and usually kills your confidence when it happens. It can be really hard to bounce back after hitting one of these mid-round, especially in a tournament.

But, like anything in golf you can overcome the bad shot by learning why it happened and take the steps to learn how to fix it. If you’re shanking wedges or irons, keep reading to learn how to permanently fix this dreaded miss.

Key Takeaways

• A shank is one of the more frustrating shots in golf – similar to missing short putts (the yips), a topped shot, or pop up driver.
• Sometimes shanks happen from golf swing issues (change of spine angle, early extension, crowding the golf ball, etc.) but sometimes it’s a mental issue too.
• If you start shanking it’s easy to get frustrated and upset with yourself. But you need the right mental strategies to overcome this shot and stop shanking.

Keep reading to learn tons of strategies to help improve your golf game and get the ball to target line.

What Is a Shank in Golf?

Before we get started, what is a golf shank?  

A golf shank is when the ball hits the hosel of the club, nearly missing the club face entirely. Once it hits the hosel (which is toward the heel) and not the sweet spot, the ball will shoot right and go a fraction of the distance it’s supposed to.

The shank is one of the worst shots you can hit. It’s also an unspeakable word on the golf course as it has been known to spread to others in your group.

Most shanks happen out of nowhere and can ruin a great round of golf if you let it. They can also lead to serious doubt the next time you have a similar shot making you play in fear.

Just remember, shanking in golf is another way of saying hitting on the hosel.

What causes the shank to happen?

There are two types of shanks – an in to out shank and an out to in shank. Let’s review each type to figure out which one is plaguing your game.

How to Fix an Out to In Shank (Most Common)

An out to in shank is the most common version.

This is when the heel of the golf club is moving across the target line due to flipping at impact. This happens from a swing that is too steep.

The shot is actually produced by taking the club to the inside and producing an over the top swing path at impact. Most golfers think it’s because the club is open at impact but again this is not the case – the face is actually closed.

As Butch Harmon said in Golf Digest, “Because the ball darts right, most golfers think an open clubface causes the shank. But shanks usually come from an excessively closed face.

The player swings out to in with the face closing hard — both actions push the hosel closer to the ball (top). If the hosel catches the ball, it’s shank city.”

To fix this type of golf shank you will need to learn how to shallow the club so your golf swing is less steep. Here are some other strategies to help as well:

• Check your grip pressure. Too much tension in your hands and arms can make it more likely to hit a shank.
• Check your balance. Usually, your weight tends to get more on the toes and over the ball. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed so you have balance throughout the swing.
• Don’t crowd the ball. Stand further away from it so your ball to the target line creates a more in to out swing path.

How to Fix an In to Out Shank

An in to out shank (known as a better player shank) is less common but happens as well. This is when the golf club is too shallow from a severe inside to outside swing path (that if hit well can help you hit a draw).

Here’s what Golf.com suggested for fixing the “better player” shank. “To solve this, you’re going to need to steepen your downswing, and move your path so it’s less in-to-out. At address, try tilting your spine more towards the ground. This should help you make a steeper shoulder turn and allow your arms to lift higher.”

This move will help steepen the downswing and move the path more to the left of the target line. It will also ensure that the hosel is further away from the golf ball.

Easy Drills to Show You How to Cure Shanks

Remember, most shanks are caused by coming over the top with a very closed clubface. Keep this in mind as you use these few drills on the range to help you cure the shanks.

Drill #1 – Driver Headcover Drill

Butch Harmon referenced this drill in the same Golf Digest article to help fix this annoying golf shot.

• Take your driver headcover and place it just on the outside of your ball and grab a wedge. The toe of the club should almost be touching the head cover at address.
• Take half swings and feel your lower body moving through the shot. If you tend to come over the top on your downswing you will notice on the first few shots as the club hits the headcover.
• As you hit more balls, address the ball differently by placing the ball on the toe of the club. You want to feel like you are swinging from the inside and swinging out toward your target.
• Done over time, this drill will force you to swing from the inside producing more of a draw swing.

Drill #2 – David Leadbetter Heel Toe Anti-Shank Drill

If you need more than the head cover drill, check out this shank drill from one of the best instructors in the world David Leadbetter. Personally, I like the first one more as I can see how this drill could potentially cause even more shanks.

But this is a great drill if you are more of an intermediate-advanced golfer as it requires more knowledge of your own swing path.

• Address the ball from the heel (yes, where the shank actually happens) and crowd the golf ball. Setting up close to the ball will make you have to swing outside on your downswing. This should help you hit the club more off the toe which will not produce a shank.
• Keep your weight back on your heels as the shank is sometimes caused by losing your balance on the downswing. Not having your weight evenly distributed to your heels causes the over the top motion which creates the hosel shank.

Practice this shot with a pitching wedge or short iron as this is where the horrific shot most often occurs.

Drill #3 – Watch Drill

If you’re the type of golfer that has more open face shank (which can happen too) try this. Check out the video from Rotary Swing on YouTube.

• Grip the club with your left hand only and a narrow stance.
• Take half swings with your right hand in your back pocket.
• At the club parallel make sure your watch is facing straight ahead in front of you.

How to Cure a Case of the Shanking Wedges

Yes, the shanks can also happen during chipping and pitching around the greens! Follow these instructions to help you cure the shanks when you are close to the green.

Shank Short-Game Drill

• Use a gap wedge, pitching wedge or short iron.
• Start by placing a ball near the green in light rough or fringe. Insert two tees next to the ball. You want the left tee (if you’re right handed) to be angled at the same angle of the shaft position at address. The right tee will be straight up and down like normal.
• If you’re hitting the club on the toe you’ll hit the right one and if you’re hitting it off the heel you’ll hit the left tee.
• Practice until you barely graze the right tee and try to avoid the left tee as it leads to the shank.

How to Bounce Back After a Shank

If Ian Poulter can bounce back from a lot of shanks on the biggest stages in golf, you can too. While you might get plenty of grief from your friends, don’t make it worse by beating yourself up.

You have to learn how to bounce back from the five-letter word. Usually, after you shank the ball you are terrified to even touch a golf club again. But if you make a great recovery and save par no one will care and it’ll be a great memory. Remember, there are no pictures on the scorecard.

Use these three methods to bounce back after hitting the hosel rocket.

1. Keep Calm and Relaxed

After the shank occurs anxiety, anger, and frustration and inevitable. Instead of reacting, take a few deep breaths, laugh if needed, and think about the next show you have.

If you go to the next shot angry, you will have way too much tension in your forearms. Before you swing, lighten up on your death grip and relax your forearms.

It’s also a good idea to take some deep breaths and shake off any negative feelings. The more relaxed you are the more likely you will be able to hit the ball like normal.

2. Keep Your Weight Back

Next, make sure that you keep your weight more towards your heels the next time you address the ball. If you are standing too far away from the ball this will cause you to get your weight on the toes. Stand a little closer to the ball to help promote an in to out swing path.

3. Visualize The Perfect Shot

While your brain is programmed for negativity (as a survival instinct), t’s especially true after a hosel rocket shank. Before you hit your next shot, spend an extra moment imagining and visualizing the ideal shot instead or reliving the last one.

The key here is focus on what you want, not what you don’t want (like another shank). Instead, focus on a good shot you hit earlier in the round or recently, picture it in your mind, and execute the shot.

FAQs About Shanks in Golf

Do you have more questions about the dreaded golf shank? If so, keep reading through the most commonly asked questions and answers to improve your swing and avoid this shot in the future.

What is the difference between a slice and a shank?

A slice is when the golf ball curves from left to right in the air. This is one of the most common shots you’ll see on a golf course and the biggest miss for most amateur golfers.

A slice happens because the clubface is open at impact. Depending on the swing path it can start left (pull slice), straight, or right (the dreaded push slice).

While a shank is when the ball shoots right from hitting it off the hosel, not the sweet spot.

What is the opposite of a shank in golf?

The opposite of a golf shank is a whiff where you completely miss the golf ball.

What does a shank shot look like?

Sometimes it feels like it’s happening in slow motion… the golf ball shoots directly right instead of going at your intended target line.

My Experience

No matter how good you get at golf, an occasional shank can happen to even the best golfers. Amateur golfers are even more likely to have them but it’s how you deal with them that counts.

After you hit a shank it’s important to laugh it off instead of getting super angry and frustrated. Don’t get wrong, this is easier said than done but a vital skill to develop.

Is it embarrassing when you shank the ball? Yes, but it’s happened to many golfers and will continue to happen as long as we play golf. I’ve been there myself and it’s easy to let it get in your head.

However, the key is to get over the bad shot quickly and focus on the next shot. Don’t get overly technical during the round and try to analyze the shot. For the average golfer this will only make things worse.

Of course if you have a case of the golf shanks, you might need to use the drills above to stop shanking in practice. Just remember it’s mostly a mental issue so focus on a good pre-shot routine to block out negative thoughts. With the right mental attitude you’ll get in the right position and avoid hitting these shots in the future.

Final Thoughts on Golf Shanks

Don’t let the shank be the reason you give up the great game of golf (or click here if you have a yips problem).

Seriously, some golfers have given up from seeing this shot too many times. Don’t let this nightmare of a shot ruin your love of the game.

Remember, you can learn to eliminate this shot from your game with these simple drills from two of the best instructors in the world. If you’re suffering from the “S” word try out both and see which drills work best for your game.

If the hosel rocket does happen again in a round, remind yourself that it happens to Ian Poulter and other pros at times. Instead, laugh it off and challenge yourself to get up and down and save a par.

Hopefully these tips are easy and helpful to giving you the cure to shanks forever.