Bill Shankley

[007chappie]

Gents,

This is a desperate SOS...
My first round after returning home again a couple of weeks ago was a 79. Happy days I thought, usually a little rusty on my first knock, only way is up. NOT SO!!
I then shot an 81, still a very good score for me, then an 89, 85, 83, 91......and then it happened.

Two over stood on the 5th tee, a little par 3 over a valley I shanked my first shot into the trees, OB.
3rd shot, shanked into the trees, OB.
For fear of completely exploding right there and then, I dropped a ball at the bottom of the valley for an easy wedge shot to the green, promptly shanking it, you guessed it, into the trees, OB...

I got down for 10!!!!!!!!

eventually racked up (whisper it quietly) 1 0 1 thru 18.
What the he@L is going on??
I have just been to the range and tried everything I could, ball position, allignment and out of 100 balls I must have shanked 80!

Feel like I am back to a complete novice

 

[nicksampo]

I feel your pain, I had the exact same thing a month or so ago. I was on the practice ground and up walks the wonder kid of the club who starts swinging away a couple of metres to the right of me on the range. I then procede to show off a stunning array of shanks and sliced thins!

I had also taken a bit of time off and after a quick pointer from the +1 kid I find that im getting in front of the ball at impact and my hands where way open meaning even if i didn't hit the shank area I was probably just going to blade it with a massivley open face. The result of said shot is remarkably similiar to a shank!

 

[007chappie]

These are def. shanks, I used those stickers you put on the club face that mark like carbon paper when you hit the ball, all the markings were right up against the hosel.

 

[birdieman]

You poor man!
Been there done that got the t-shirt.
A strong mind is needed here, because you are frozen in fear over the ball it's catch 22 you become less and less mobile and you shank more.
Three things to try -
1. RELAX and have weight evenly distributed on feet, you should be able to raise heels and toes at address so you're balanced.
2. Key is to make sure your body rotation is good through the shot so that you clear your body out of the way of the club as it approaches impact. You should be facing the target at end of swing, really get that left hip pulled back through the strike, don't slide the hips towards the target.
2. At address don't slouch or stoop and actually stand closer to the ball, stand tall with chin up, flex the knees and take that clubhead back on the target line for at least a foot and a half, do not start taking the club away too much on the inside.

Dont worry there is a cure!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Been there. Had a case a few weeks ago when trying to pitch. Had a pitching lesson and all was good and went midweek to work on it and had a bad dose. I was doing much the same as nickasmpo and getting to far in front. Having worked on keeping the body movement much quieter I'm picking the ball great and getting controllable spin.

Have patience and keep the faith. You are amongst friends and we will guide you back into the light

 

[kingshankly]

Are you too close I always try to have enough room between my body and the butt of the club to fit the lenght of my hand in. It's a case of going back to the basics getting the fundamentals right.
Wish you all the best it's horrible when of happens

 

[Ken_A]

I feel your pain.

Invested in Titleist AP2's Hitting them well but pulling a few shots so I went to the range, 60 balls and I shanked EVERY one!! I walked out and then decided that I should go back in and I bought another 60 balls and shanked 50 or so of them.
Disgusted I went home and had a sleepless night- Went to the course the nest day no woods in my bag and I was petrified - I concentrated on the takeaway and the swing plane and I played well - tis a funny old game!!!!!

 

[Dodger]

try this quick cure.....

address the ball instead of in the centre of your iron have the hosel of the club past the ball so if you imagine it the club is the furthest away from you then the ball is between you and the back of the club hosel....now swing and I guarantee you won't shank.

 

[USER1999]

No, you'll just miss it altogether. At least your next shot won't be from the bundu.

 

[Dodger]

try it murph and you too will be cured!

 

[USER1999]

I will certainly give it a go. Not that I am desperate or anything. Not yet, anyway.

 

[007chappie]

Well gents,

Quick update.
Went to the range again today, hit a few balls, shank was still there. Had a lesson with the pro and it turns out I'm not "staying down" in the shot, i.e my chest is lifting and my club-face is slightly open, so as I lift through the shot it exagerates the open face and presents the shank. Hit my utility concentrating on staying down and taking a divot, after hitting a full basket pretty well, I moved onto my shorter stuff. NOT ONE SHANK!!

Proceeded to have nine holes with the pro, shot 44, not great but a step in the right direction.

Bring on Sunday!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Glad you are getting it sorted. At least now if you get one on the course you know the cause and can take preventitive measures.

 

[Twire]

Well gents,

Quick update.
Went to the range again today, hit a few balls, shank was still there. Had a lesson with the pro and it turns out I'm not "staying down" in the shot, i.e my chest is lifting and my club-face is slightly open, so as I lift through the shot it exagerates the open face and presents the shank. Hit my utility concentrating on staying down and taking a divot, after hitting a full basket pretty well, I moved onto my shorter stuff. NOT ONE SHANK!!

Proceeded to have nine holes with the pro, shot 44, not great but a step in the right direction.

Bring on Sunday!!

Thats great news chappie, I went through about a month of the shanks last summer. Not much fun not knowing when there going to pop up.

Glad you got it sorted.