Shanks!

[Scott1505]

Having suffered badly all year with my short game costing me a number of shots off my handicap this year i went to the practice ground to try and work out what was going on.

My problem has been anything with my GW or higher i will 9 times out of 10 shank it. Which as we know is a horrible feeling.

So hit a few balls to warm up with a 7 iron until i was hitting it sweet each time then switch to my wedge and sure enough the shanks come.

So i tried lining the ball up just outside the toe and started hittng crisp pitch shots every time. So with that in mind i thought i was maybe standing too close to the ball which is causing my shanks. So moved a small step away from the ball lined it up and all was good.

My question is though by doing this am i just putting a plaster on a fault with my swing or does standing to close to the ball encourage a shank? Any help much appreciated.

 

[JustOne]

No, you were probably standing too close and leaving the hands nowhere to go other than away from your body - shank.

Allow a few inches between the hands and the thighs at set up so you have some space to swing the hands into.

 

[Scott1505]

This is definately the answer i am looking for.

If i sort out this problem i can easily shave another couple of shots off the handicap. Only problem is i am sure the next problem is just around the corner!

 

[JustOne]

Only problem is i am sure the next problem is just around the corner!

It's probably closer than that!

 

[USER1999]

You could be getting a bit 'armsy' as well. If you don't rotate your hips through impact, it throws the club out, and bink, off the hozel it goes.

 

[Scott1505]

It's probably closer than that!

So true i suppose i have a 19 h/cap for a reason