How to Stop Shanking the Golf Ball: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Shanks: The Golfer’s Kryptonite

There’s no worse feeling in golf than shanking a shot. It’s the kind of shot that makes you want to throw your club in the lake and quit for good. But if you’re struggling with shanks, don’t despair. There are a number of things you can do to fix this problem.

In this article, we’ll discuss what causes shanks and what you can do to stop them. We’ll also provide some tips on how to improve your overall golf swing. So if you’re ready to put an end to your shanking woes, read on!

Cause Solution
Addressing the ball incorrectly Make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart and your knees are slightly bent. Your weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. The club should be held in your dominant hand with your grip slightly relaxed.
Swinging the club too fast Slow down your swing and focus on making a smooth, controlled motion.
Coming over the top At the top of your backswing, your club should be pointing at the sky. As you start your downswing, your club should swing down and across your body.
Not releasing the club As you swing through impact, your wrists should unhinge and the club should release through the ball.

What is a Shank?

A shank is a golf shot that occurs when the clubhead strikes the ball on the heel, resulting in a low, hard shot that travels to the right for right-handed golfers and to the left for left-handed golfers. Shanks are often caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Incorrect grip: A weak grip can cause the clubhead to be too far from the ball, which can lead to a shank.
  • Incorrect swing path: A swing path that is too far inside-out can also cause the clubhead to strike the ball on the heel.
  • Poor balance: A loss of balance during the swing can cause the clubhead to be misaligned with the ball, which can also lead to a shank.

Causes of Shanking

There are a number of factors that can contribute to shanking, including:

  • Incorrect grip: A weak grip can cause the clubhead to be too far from the ball, which can lead to a shank. A weak grip is characterized by the following:
  • The wrists are bowed.
  • The palms are facing each other.
  • The grip pressure is too light.
  • Incorrect swing path: A swing path that is too far inside-out can also cause the clubhead to strike the ball on the heel. A swing path that is too far inside-out is characterized by the following:
  • The clubhead starts the downswing from inside the target line.
  • The clubhead swings across the target line during the downswing.
  • The clubhead finishes the downswing outside the target line.
  • Poor balance: A loss of balance during the swing can cause the clubhead to be misaligned with the ball, which can also lead to a shank. A loss of balance is characterized by the following:
  • The head moves up and down during the swing.
  • The body sways from side to side during the swing.
  • The feet slide during the swing.

How to Stop Shanking

There are a number of things you can do to stop shanking, including:

  • Practice with a proper grip: The first step to stopping shanking is to develop a proper grip. A proper grip will help you to keep the clubhead from being too far from the ball. To check your grip, hold the club in your hand with your palms facing each other. The club should rest in the fingers of your left hand (for right-handed golfers) and the palm of your right hand. The thumb of your left hand should be on top of the grip, and the thumb of your right hand should be underneath the grip.
  • Practice with a proper swing path: Once you have a proper grip, you need to work on developing a proper swing path. A proper swing path will help you to avoid hitting the ball on the heel. To practice your swing path, start by taking a few practice swings with an empty club. Focus on keeping the clubhead on the inside of the target line during the downswing. As you get more comfortable with the swing path, you can start adding a ball to your practice swings.
  • Practice with balance: Finally, you need to work on developing good balance during your swing. A loss of balance can cause you to shank the ball. To practice your balance, start by taking a few practice swings with an empty club. Focus on keeping your head and body still during the swing. As you get more comfortable with the swing, you can start adding a ball to your practice swings.

Shanks are a common problem for golfers of all skill levels. However, they can be prevented by developing a proper grip, swing path, and balance. By following the tips in this article, you can stop shanking and improve your golf game.

How to Correct Shanking

If you’re shanking the golf ball, you’re not alone. Shanking is a common problem that can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Incorrect grip: If you’re gripping the club too tightly or too loosely, you’re more likely to shank the ball.
  • Incorrect stance: If your stance is too wide or too narrow, you’re more likely to shank the ball.
  • Incorrect swing path: If you’re swinging the club too far inside or outside, you’re more likely to shank the ball.
  • Incorrect club selection: If you’re using the wrong club for the shot, you’re more likely to shank the ball.

If you’re shanking the ball, there are a few things you can do to correct the problem:

  • Check your grip: Make sure you’re gripping the club correctly. Your grip should be firm, but not too tight.
  • Check your stance: Your stance should be shoulder-width apart, with your feet parallel to each other.
  • Check your swing path: Your swing path should be slightly inside-out. This means that the club should be swinging from the inside of your target line to the outside.
  • Check your club selection: Make sure you’re using the right club for the shot. If you’re not sure what club to use, ask your golf pro for advice.

Once you’ve corrected the factors that are causing you to shank the ball, you should start to see improvement in your game. However, it may take some time to completely eliminate the problem. Be patient and keep practicing, and you’ll eventually be able to shank the ball no more!

Preventing Shanking in the Future

Once you’ve corrected the factors that are causing you to shank the ball, you can take steps to prevent the problem from happening again in the future. Here are a few tips:

  • Practice your grip: The best way to improve your grip is to practice it regularly. You can practice your grip at home or at the golf course.
  • Practice your stance: Just like your grip, your stance is an important part of your golf swing. Practice your stance until you can consistently repeat it.
  • Practice your swing path: Your swing path is another important part of your golf swing. Practice your swing path until you can consistently repeat it.
  • Practice with the right clubs: Make sure you’re using the right clubs for the shots you’re trying to hit. If you’re not sure what clubs to use, ask your golf pro for advice.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent shanking the ball in the future. However, it’s important to remember that even the best golfers shank the ball from time to time. If you do shank the ball, don’t get discouraged. Just pick yourself up and keep practicing. With time and effort, you’ll eventually be able to shank the ball no more!

How Do I Stop Shanking The Golf Ball?

Shanks are one of the most common and frustrating golf shots to hit. They occur when the clubhead strikes the ball on the hosel, which causes the ball to fly off in a low, offline direction. There are a number of reasons why you might be shanking the ball, but the good news is that there are also a number of things you can do to correct the problem.

Here are some tips on how to stop shanking the golf ball:

  • Check your grip. A weak or incorrect grip is one of the most common causes of shanks. Make sure your grip is firm and that you are holding the club in the correct position.
  • Aim your clubface correctly. When you address the ball, make sure your clubface is square to your target. If your clubface is open or closed, you are more likely to hit a shank.
  • Take a proper swing. A shanked shot is often the result of a poor swing. Make sure your swing is smooth and that you are not over-swinging.
  • Practice regularly. The best way to improve your golf swing and stop shanking the ball is to practice regularly. Make sure you are practicing the correct fundamentals and that you are getting enough repetitions.

Here are some additional tips that may help you stop shanking the ball:

  • Try using a shorter club. A shorter club will be easier to control and will help you to make a more consistent swing.
  • Tee the ball up lower. A lower tee will help you to make contact with the ball on the sweet spot, which will reduce the chances of a shank.
  • Focus on your target. When you are taking your swing, keep your eye on your target and don’t let your mind wander.
  • Relax and have fun. Golf is supposed to be enjoyable, so don’t get too frustrated if you shank a few shots. Just keep practicing and you will eventually improve.

If you are struggling to stop shanking the ball, it is always a good idea to consult with a golf instructor. They can help you identify the cause of the problem and develop a plan to correct it.

shanking the golf ball is a common problem that can be frustrating to deal with. However, by following the tips in this article, you can improve your swing and reduce the number of shanks you hit. Remember to focus on your grip, alignment, and swing path, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a setup that works for you. With practice, you can stop shanking the golf ball and start hitting more fairways!

Author Profile

Matthew Woods
Matthew Woods
Hello, fellow golf enthusiasts! I’m Matthew Woods, the founder of GolfPGAChampionship.com.

My journey with golf is a story of passion, perseverance, and a little twist of fate. Growing up in the picturesque town of Charleston, South Carolina, I found myself captivated by golf, a fascination that was partly kindled by sharing a last name with the legendary Tiger Woods.

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