How I Fixed My Shanks — Advice From a Normal, Everday Golfer

The shanks are among the most frustrating things I’ve ever faced in golf, and yet, I feel like every person who has played this game deals with them. Henrik Stenson even went through a terrible spell of the shanks, so the next time you have them and feel like you should quit this game that gives you so much heartache, think again. Your solution is not too far away.

Last year, I dealt with a really horrible spell of them. It was not the first time I dealt with them, but it was the worst case I had of them yet. In fact, I actually ended up going to a PGA Professional at my local club to get them sorted out. From there, it was trial and error.

Check Your Grip

One of the key fixes for a case of shanks is the grip. It all starts with how you’re holding the club.

The first time I had the shanks, I was equipping a weak grip, which inevitably addressed an open clubface and the hosel at impact. My right hand was getting too lackadaisical at address, and I was letting this basically set my entire swing up for failure. If you need a good reminder on how to hold the club, watch the video below:

Scottie Scheffler even carries a grip trainer in his bag on a six iron because, admittedly, even he forgets how to properly grip the club at times. This is where you should start because I would bet 80 percent of those who are dealing with shanks have an issue with grip.

Your Lead Elbow

One of the two reasons I was shanking the ball most recently is due to the position of my lead elbow. This indirectly correlates with grip, but try to get that lead elbow pointing at your target.

I was sucking mine into the ribcage a tad too much, and it was pointing behind me rather than at the target. This tip goes on a case-by-case basis, but this is where I started to see some positive changes in my golf swing.

Use the Loft of Your Club

One thing that still baffles players who have only been playing golf for a short period of time is that you do not need to swing UP to get the ball in the air. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Bryson DeChambeau has talked about driving the left shoulder (as a right-handed player) into the ground, using the loft of the club to get the ball elevated, produce higher ball speeds, and get more distance.

Hit the ball first, then the ground, and your contact and ball striking will improve ten-fold:

How I Fixed My Shanks

Upon visiting with my local Professional, we found that my dynamic loft at impact was entirely too high, which indicated that I was presenting too much loft at impact and I was trying to help the ball in the air.

How did I fix this? It took two short weeks and a few trips to the range:

Slow Everything Down

My first step was slowing down everything in my swing from start to finish. When you get frustrated and you lose distance, consistency, and ball-striking ability, you start to try to muscle the ball in the air and swing as hard as humanly possible. This only intensifies your issues.

Instead, swing at 40 or 50 percent. Take something you’re comfortable swinging; for me, it was a 7-iron or 8-iron, and try to hit the ball 100 yards. Focus on getting that compression feel and getting the center of the clubface to the ball.

Use Punch Shots

This was where I spent the majority of my time. I was told by my swing coach that I needed to spend about two weeks using a mid-iron hitting punch shots. Abbreviate the finish as much as you can, and keep the ball flight down. You will find that your contact is better and your ball flights are lower. Your smash factor will increase, and if you have access to a trackman or something similar, use it to your advantage.

Stay Level Headed

So many times during the shanks did I want to hang it up for good. I couldn’t understand how I was dealing with this issue again. But the reality of it is, when you figure it out, your swing will be much better. You will understand things a little bit more and your game will benefit, which is what is most important.

Remember, everyone does it:

No one is immune to the dreaded shank.

Not even Tiger Woods. pic.twitter.com/6qJQY1W5yU

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024

Cover Image via Golf Magazine