“Jimy” Shanking is part of the game that will inevitably strike most if not every golfer from time to time; even the great Tom Watson has hit the shank while playing in a big tournament.

Ok this is what I have found out over the time of practice and discussion,

(1) Don’t panic if you have a shank. (Next time you have a similar shot think of the one you nearly holed. Or better still think that you will hole this one!!)

(2) Make sure you give yourself a full turn of the shoulders on the takeaway; I have noticed that the short pitch/punch shot is prone to meet with a shank, than any other type of shot.

(3) If you have a slight incline (I.e. the ball above your feet then adjust the length of the club to suit it and think of a flatter swing plane).

Your think this bit funny! Only last week I was trying to hit a shank to prove that it could be done at will!! Well after a while I could just turn it on like a tap and hey presto a shank was grooved.

This practice only leads me to try and find out what part of my swing initiated start of the shank. So I can be more at ease and cure it fast when it will happen to me again in a tournament

My diagnosis of my shank is half a back type swing followed by attacking the ball to early from the top, this throws the line of attack to the outside to quick and brings you closer to the hosel.

Also I seamed to separate the right arm from the left, the downswing was lead into the ball with my left side and left arm, the gap between the right and left arm had grown and was quite visible even at impact.

Ok lets just clear the air here. A SHANK IS CLOSE TO BEING A GREAT SHOT. Just ask Tom Watson!!

Practice on a downhill and uphill and side hill until you feel you have regained your confidence. Check your ball position as a side hill ball above your feet will impact early so move the ball back and flatten the swing plane a bit.

Good luck

Regards Cliff