FIXED MY SHANKS!!!! Thanks Golf-tuition.

I'm a new member and i keep getting this screen that says "Our records indicate that you have not yet posted..." so this will be my contribution...

Anyways, for a long time i have been mishitting my driver on the heel side. I dont think i have toed a shot in about 1 year. Then 2 weeks ago i started shanking my irons. I realized that this was probably a progression of a swing fault from my driver and now to my irons and this was COMPLETLEY ruining my game.and i started reading this forum and saw something that seemed to make sense.

I had always heard that you arms should be relaxed, hanging naturally from your shoulders and i can definitely tell my distance is better when my arms are tension free. Somehow, i started pressing my hands straight down. I guess this increased the angle between my left arm and the shaft. When i would swing, this angle disappears and the club straightens. When the club straightens, my arm + club is effectively longerr, and i end up hitting the hosel. Anyways i try not to press my hands down anymore, but still try to stay tension free. I fixed my shanks that had bothered me for about 2-3 weeks in 1 range session.

Probably alot of reasons why ppl shank, but this was the cure for me. I always felt good about my swing, but i just could not figure out WHY i was shanking until now. Hope this helps

DrChoi,

A very interesting post, and a great insite to a problem and cure.


I am sure the members will appreciate your input.


Thanks again


Ian.

that's what I was looking for. over the last 3-4 rounds I've had at least 2-3 shanks. I will be more aware of the way my arms hang.

thanks, Doc.

NOt sure what your swing problems are, as I'd have to see your swing to figure that one out. The most logical thing to do with heeling a driver and shanking irons would be step back a bit further from your ball when setting up.

I was shanking my irons something terrible a couple seasons ago. All I had to do was set up with the ball at the toe of the clubs instead of in the middle and I've been hitting my irons straight everytime since then.

well thats one way to do it... line up at the toe, another is. just keep your hands not so straight down.

Yes, that would work too. For me though, I hit driver, fairway woods and irons with my hands in the same position. I hit everything else well and I didn't want to mess up my driver by getting a different hand position in my head, so I just stepped back a little with my irons. Whatever works for you, I guess.

Happy golfing.

Hi,

Another cause of shanking is putting your weight to much on the balls of your feet at address, this can make you lean further forward on the downswing.

A good exercise to stop this is to put a golf ball under the toe of each shoe when practising, this will force you to move your weight back towards your heels and stop you leaning forwards.

Regards
Brian