Golf shanks, otherwise known as a hosel rocket, are a dreaded shot for all golfers. It results in an umbrella-like spray of mis-hits and is a sign of an incorrect swing. While golfers often assume that the cause of shanking is a misalignment of the clubface, the reality is more complicated, and there are several common causes that can lead to this errant shot.
Understanding the Golf Shank
Shanking is a term for when the ball is hit on the hosel, or the neck of the club, instead of the face. As a result, the ball goes off to the right of the target for right-handed golfers and left for left-handed golfers. The ball may have excessive spin or even no spin at all, resulting in unpredictable flight. In addition, shanking can cause a dramatic loss of distance due to the mis-hit.
The most common cause of shanking is an incorrect swing path. If the club is coming too much from the inside, it can cause the hosel to make contact with the ball instead of the clubface. Additionally, an incorrect grip can cause the club to be misaligned at impact, resulting in a shank. To prevent shanking, it is important to ensure that the swing path is correct and the grip is comfortable and secure.
Causes of the Golf Shank
It is important to understand why shanking occurs in order to identify and fix the problem. Below are some of the common causes that can lead to shanking during a golf swing.
One of the most common causes of shanking is an incorrect grip. If the grip is too weak or too strong, it can cause the clubface to be open or closed at impact, resulting in a shank. Additionally, an incorrect stance can also lead to shanking. If the stance is too narrow or too wide, it can cause the club to be misaligned at impact, resulting in a shank.
Improper Swing Path
An improper swing path is one of the most common causes of shanking. If your swing path is too inside-out or too outside-in, it can cause your club to hit further up on the hosel than the face. This can lead to a shank, as the hosel has less forgiveness than the face.
To avoid shanking, it is important to focus on your swing path and make sure it is consistent. Practicing with a mirror or video camera can help you identify any flaws in your swing path and make corrections. Additionally, it is important to practice with a variety of clubs to ensure that your swing path is consistent regardless of the club you are using.
Poor Ball Positioning
If a golfer positions the ball too far back in their stance, it can increase the chances of shanking. This is because it will cause them to swing more steeply on their downswing and hit further up on the hosel than if they had positioned the ball in the center or forward of their stance.
In addition, if the ball is positioned too far back in the stance, it can cause the golfer to lose power and distance on their shots. This is because the golfer will be forced to use their arms more than their body to generate power, resulting in a weaker and less accurate shot.
Weak Grip Pressure
Having weak grip pressure can also lead to shanking. If a golfer’s grip is too light, it can cause their hands to rotate at impact and hit further up on the hosel than they intended. This can lead to a shank.
To prevent this from happening, golfers should focus on having a firm grip pressure when they address the ball. This will help them maintain control of the clubface and ensure that it is square at impact. Additionally, golfers should practice their grip pressure on the range to ensure that they have the right amount of pressure for their swing.
Incorrect Clubface Alignment
If a golfer has their clubface misaligned at address, it can lead to an incorrect angle of attack at impact and increase their chances of hitting on the hosel. This is because an incorrect clubface alignment will cause them to hit further up on the hosel than if it were aligned correctly.
Outwardly Rotated Shoulders
If a golfer’s shoulders are rotated outwardly during their backswing, it can cause them to overswing and hit further up on the hosel than intended. It can also increase the chances of slicing or hooking due to an improper swing path.
Overly Stiff Arms and Wrists
If a golfer’s arms and wrists are too stiff during their swing, it can lead to shanking because they will be unable to rotate their arms correctly at impact. This will cause them to hit further up on the hosel than intended.
Overly Quick Takeaway
If a golfer takes their club back too quickly during their backswing, it can lead to shanking. This is because they will be unable to get their hands into the proper position at impact and will hit further up on the hosel than they intended.
Taking the Club Too Far Inside on the Backswing
If a golfer takes the club too far inside on the backswing, it can lead to an overly steep angle of attack at impact and increase their chances of shanking. This is because they will hit further up on the hosel than intended.
Over-the-Top Downswing Movements
If a golfer’s downswing movements are too over-the-top, it can cause them to hit further up on the hosel than intended. This is because they will be unable to get their hands into the correct position at impact and will be unable to rotate their arms properly.
Improper Weight Transfer
If a golfer does not properly transfer their weight during their swing, it can lead to an incorrect angle of attack at impact and increase their chances of hitting further up on the hosel. This is because they will be unable to get their hands into the correct position at impact and will be unable to rotate their arms properly.
Poor Posture and Balance
If a golfer has poor posture or balance during their swing, it can lead to shanking because they will be unable to get their hands into the correct position at impact. This is because they will be unable to rotate their arms properly, which will cause them to hit further up on the hosel than intended.
Improving Your Golf Shank
In order to improve your chances of avoiding a golf shank, you should focus on improving your overall golf swing technique. Ensure that you have correct posture and balance throughout your swing, as well as proper grip pressure and clubface alignment. Additionally, make sure your takeaway and downswing movements are smooth and consistent, and that your weight transfer is correct. Once you have mastered these fundamentals, you should be able to avoid shanking and improve your game overall.