Forum > Technique, Tips & Tuition

Jason Cloutt

I have played golf for many years and have a handicap of 15, all of a sudden 2 weeks ago I started shanking the ball and cannot seem to hit a proper shot. It is a nightmare, I have a semi final of a singles competition coming up and am worried I am going to make a fool of myself. I have tried everything and am the end of my thether, I feel like walking away from golf, I love the game but it is doing my head in.... I have had a couple of lessons and he has tried to get me hitting from inside to out but, still it continues........ Any suggestions would be greatly received. I have split the skin on the middle finger of my right hand by spending so much time on the range and over the local field trying to cure this.

 EDIT: I can hit my driver, 5 wood and rescue clubs ok, it is just my iron shots.

thanks in advance

Cloutty

Adrian Hope

Adrian Hope

Steve Cowle

Hi Jason,

Without seeing your swing it is hard to say what is causing the shank, it could be an over the top shank or a too flat shank. The best practice is to get a cardboard box and place it just outside the toe of the club. Make some practice swings missing the box and then put a ball down, this will hopefuuly cure it short term but it maybe worth getting properley analised through the winter so it doesn't occur again.

Good luck

SteveCowleGolf

Jamie C

Hey Jason,

 I am also in the same boat as you, i have started shanking my shots last night and with a open championship coming up in 3 weeks time. I am a bit worried but it's all in the mind. I would just take a break for few days, keep yourself occupied, then go back to the basics. I get the shanks 3 or 4 times a year so i consider myself to be a shanks expert!

I was told by a pro, the best way to practice if you have the shanks is to use a pitching wedge and start from the basic. Just a thought.

Gary Smith

Hi Jason

Gary here, WEST HAM fan.

One of the best drills you can do to avoid a shank is - go to the range, hit balls by setting up with the - ball on the HOZEL ( the shank position )- then swing up - then in the downswing bring the club back down closer to you and hit the ball in the middle of the face....so now your hands are closer to you than at set-up rather than further away as before(causing a shank)

One of the worst tips you can have for stopping a shank is to stand further away from the ball at set-up - this will justmake it worse.

This - HOZEL set-up drill is in the top teaching books such as David Leadbetter.

If it works you can get me a pint at UPTON PARK......

Give it a try...

Gary

Marc Davies

Gary Smith

In the longterm, this will just give you an even more - Over the top -figure 8 loop swing

What your creating is a Short term - quick fix. Try and get back closer to the ball ( in the correct position/posture) and work on your swing to bring your arms closer to you in your downswing.

Gary

Jason Cloutt

Thx for all the advice chaps, I am going to let my split finger heal and then try out some of the advice you have kindly offered. I will let you know how it goes...

Cloutty