Shanksville

[HomerJSimpson]

Oh my god. I have doses of the shanks before but this was a plague, infestation, call it what you like. Playing with Pedro in our Volvo knockout I smashed a great opening drive and then shanked my 9 iron. Kept it under control until the 6th and then another and by the 9th I couldn't hit a thing. Tops, slices you name it and I hit it. By 15 I wanted to walk off but kept plugging away (if you can call it that). By 18 I was a total wreck.

Never ever had a dose on the course as bad as this. Obviously something very wrong somewhere but no idea what and the middle of a match wasn't the place to start looking. We were 2 up at the turn and Pedro was his normal self and as per I left him marooned and carrying me while taking on two steady eddies.

To say I'm sick is an understatement. It was worse than England on Friday and morale is lower than a French footballer. No idea where to go now apart from trying to go through a few drills (balance, three balls etc) and see what happens.

Not a happy camper!!!

 

[birdieman]

Oh my god.

Obviously something very wrong somewhere but no idea what

Probably not much wrong, it's a fractional move to shank and often close to a decent shot.

The fear will have you holding back, dont, get aggressive and make sure that right hand is hitting properly and the clubhead isn't lagging way behind.

Address the ball towards the heel and it'll keep your swing upright, you've likely flattened your swing a little.

I get it a little occassionally but can usually cure them myself now I know what I'm doing wrong.

Good luck.

 

[drawboy]

I agree, once it is in your head then you just lay off every shot cos you are afraid to shank this makes it worse. Get your wedge out and smash the heck out of the ball they'll soon be banished to Shanksville Arizona

 

[Swinger]

I usually put shanking down to poor balance. I did hit a shank over the weekend but first one for a long time but when I have shanked it always seemed to me that my balance wasn't good causing me to fall into the ball, only slightly mind you but then a shank doesn't take much to pull off.

If you wanted to play a bit of a cash game I'm available over the next day or two. I won't mention the shanks too much!

 

[RGDave]

Address the ball towards the heel and it'll keep your swing upright, you've likely flattened your swing a little.

Get yourself on video. I'd put good money (although it's only a possibility) on the theory above and that your weight is getting back onto your heels and then coming onto your toes to compensate.
Been there, know the feeling, rarely lasts long once you sort out your balance and swing it a bit more upright.

I have "invented" a garden drill recently which is getting me on plane and balanced much better. When I'm done recording the most dreary band in history I'll try to explain it.

Oooh, did I say that.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Hit a small bucket on the range and it definitely feels as though the weight wants to move forward onto the toes all the time. Shanked all of them so it seems that the swing itself is ok but need to sort out the address and weight movement.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Sounds bad Homer, been there before myself and it's a horrible feeling. I actually hit one on Sunday, (ironically after a rare straight drive ) I'm sure it's nothing major, the biggest problem with a shank is what it does to you mentally but once you get the problem sorted you'll be fine. Keep the faith

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I played with Pedro in the Volvo knockout at Maidenhead. Creamed a 3 wood off the first to leave nothing more than a 9 iron - shank. OK for a few holes and by the 6th everything was right until it got to the point where I was totally paralysed and scared to hit the ball at all. I'm definitely coming forward onto my toes but not sure of the cause or the cure

 

[Bobirdie]

i was the same 2 weeks ago mate.

Took last week off the golf

played 15 holes tonight shank free

Only thing is i have a singles tie on wed and a doubles tie on thursday so il be a tad rusty

aslong as the shanks stay home

 

[JustOne]

Got a vid Homer?

 

[Smiffy]

As you are right handed, can't you just aim 90 degrees to the left?

 

[birdieman]

As you are right handed, can't you just aim 90 degrees to the left?

If he does that he'll almost certainly start nailing them straight again!

 

[19th]

I was fading the ball, playing against a much higher handicapper in a comp which I won on the 15th and he then informed me that he could cure my fade on the last three holes.

He did.... and it also works if I am going forward onto my toes on the downswing.(Who said don't take advice from higher handicappers!)

It sounds silly but it does work!

As you are playing your shot force your toes apart, inside your shoes and this puts your weight back onto the balls of your foot and you cannot then sway forward.

Worth a try ..... works for me when I need a quick fix in the middle of a game.

 

[NickSwan]

Two things to try.

1, If you feel your weight moving forward onto your toes it may be because you are standing too far away at address. Therefore during the swing you try to get closer - but over do it.

2, Or you are just standing too close to the ball!

I'd go with number 1 probably as you describe the weight going on your toes.

Cheers
Nick