Shanks appearing from nowhere

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

For me I was shifting way off the ball on the backswing then sliding back into the shot.

I had spent a couple of months previous to this with a new driver leaning back then throwing myself at the ball trying to hit the back fence.

Was told to turn, not move off the ball on the backswing. Stay centred so to speak.

Was back hitting the club face almost instantly. Huge relief.

This is exactly what I am focussing on at the moment. Gets me taking the club away from the ball properly - well at least not s**nkily.

Hit 60 balls on range on Friday evening with that focus. Maybe 50 were good - by that I mean were not duck hooked; chugged, or sh**ked. In fact I only did two of the latter. About 40balls in - completely out of the blue - one after the other. Love it. Will have another go today.

And just watched Russell Knox on Sawgrass 17th. Eeek. It's the sound...

 

[kevster84]

Had a great (for me) front nine today and a terrible back nine due to the sudden appearance of shanks! Think I'm swaying rather than roaring around the spine and pushing my hands out rather than keeping them turning through the shot. Will go to the range and video, if anyone would be willing to comment/advise it would be appreciated.

 

[Jensen]

I've been struggling with my game for last 8 weeks or so and the shanks have also crept in within that time. However the last 2 rounds the ball striking has improved ( hope I'm not speaking too soon).
It all stemmed from me trying to get my hands higher in the swing, but this caused various issues from then on.
After referring back to my Golf Bible ( Plane Truth) I've realised that my shoulder turn has been too flat, in particular on the downswing. Rather than turning my shoulders at 45 degrees to my spine, I was lifting up on the downswing meaning the shoulders were coming back on too flat a plane. Result shank.
I'm now focusing on turning the left shoulder down in the backswing, and as important bringing the right shoulder back down on the downswing. The feel is more of a rounded swing where after impact and to the finish I can really feel that I'm leaning to the left. This has stopped the early extension

 

[Jensen]

Sorry meant leaning to the right, as I'm right handed

 

[delc]

Had a horrendous time a few years back shanking the ball and was close to giving up the game due to it.

Managed to get rid of them and have been playing fine ever since. Was up playing on Thursday night and out of nowhere hit two shanks of the 5th tee

Was up for a game again this morning and all of a sudden I can't hit a ball again, literally can't get the ball of the ground or make any sort of solid contact

Totally soul destroying stuff.

Anyone been through anything similar and any advice on what to do now?

Having suffered from a prolonged bout of the shanks myself, you have my absolute sympathy! Over a four year period my handicap went up from 13 to 19, mainly because of them, but I am now back down to 11, so they can be beaten. Main things for me are to stay centred and to turn confidently through the shot. Once you start swinging half-heartedly through the ball trying to avoid the shank you are doomed!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Brother, I feel your pain. Been there and nearly gave up. Trust me so much of it is in the head. Pretty free of them now but still the odd one in there pops up just to remind me.

Soul destroying.

Gary, what was the fix?

This was me. Got it sorted unless in a moment of madness I try something clever with a short iron - then I can get close to doing it - so I try not to try - certainly not when it matters. For me it was due to very minimal hip turn and as a result I was taking club away 'outside of the line'

 

[kevster84]

I just watched a video by Herman Williams. Placed a box on the floor to see my club path. I think the garden test showed that sliding (rather than turning) and trying to create lag is causing the shank. Just hit a few chip shots and seems better although won't know till hit a few full irons at the range. If I can clear the hips each time will hopefully solve the problem.