The Dreaded Shank!!!

Last weekend i hit my best round up my course of 91,but tonight with 4 other guys the shank shot come back out of nowhere and stayed with me for the reminder 7 holes.After hitting the ball so sweetly and consistant im now hitting this annoying shot!!! how can i get rid of this FOREVER????
(PLEASE HELP ME CURE THIS EMBARRASSING SHOT)

Shanking is ALWAYS balance related, as in losing your balance towards the toes, which moves you and the club closer to the ball and you hit it on the hosel. So setup with the weight more towards the toes to begin with, you would have to fall on your face to get closer to ball, you will more likely settle back towards the balls of the feet or the heels, which will move you to the toe of the club. You will altimately find that happy balanced position, just takes time.

Thanks for the advice,i have heard that the balance can be the fault.But what about the swing? or the speed of the swing,or grip(i know i have the right grip).

GO Navy and CMays very good explanations/highly respected posts as always. I have an additional take on shanks while I am in agreement with your posts.
I notice people who shank seem to quit on the shot thus not releasing and leaving the clubface open while doing this funny pulling up or falling forward routine.
The subsequent deceleration may be balance related also.
Also, grip sometimes is pretty weak so the face is not closing.
It all goes back to fundamentals as do most faults.

hi TID
is 2 knuckles showing on the left hand considered weak or neutral?

Slater:
I consider 2 knuckles neutral but more importantly I like to compare the "v"'s made by both hands.
In a strong grip, the "v"'s are pointing right of the head to the right shoulder-varies but definitely right. This means or assumes the following in a good grip:
1. the club is laying diagonally in the left hand and not in the palms with the left thumb laying right of center; the club is laying in the finger channel of the right hand not the palm and the middle of the right hand or groove is laying across the left thumb-covering it.
2. If #1 is done correctly, one should see 2 1/2-3 knuckles of the left hand while looking down at address with both hands in proper grip. It is important that the index finger and thumb of the right hand grip the club in a pincher fashion-speed comes from that.
3. The hands need to work together so whatever grip one takes the hands cannot be in opposition or working against one another.
4. Avoiding the hand freeze: light grip pressure but also not too many knuckles showing on left hand or the wrist hinge will be affected. One way is to develop the feel when taking your grip, you should be able to waggle very easily with no tension in the hands, wrists, arms or shoulders. Loose like a noodle.
5. Strong originally referred to the grip which produced a draw which was considered a stronger shot because it went further, ie. more roll.
I am not attempting to fully explain the grip here, many good books for that, I am just summarizing a few points and I do recommend a slightly strong type of grip for most folks.

thanks TID
i will work on that
just tried it now and it feels very comfortable