Shanking

Question
Just lately i have been shanking my sand wedge and my pitching wedge.  Is there any tips how to cure this?

Thanks, Eric

Answer
Eric,

Let me first explain that there are two types of shanking. The typical one is when the hosel (the inside part of the club where the shaft connects to the club head) and the ball make contact. The result is that the ball goes sideways. The other way to shank a golf ball is to hit the ball with the outer most part of the club which is the toe. This is the toe shank. Once again the ball goes sideways.

Let's assume that the hosel is making contact with the ball during your swing. This means the the club is further away from you at impact than it was at the address position. Here are three possible reasons why;

The first possible cause is that the club is being swung from the outside to inside on the down swing. This will cause the hands to be further away from your body at impact, possibly causing a shank.

The next scenario is that the weight during the downswing is moving from your heels to your toes literally bringing your body closer to the ball than it was at address with a shank a possibility. Keep the weight off the toes during the downswing.

The third thing to be aware of is that the hands and arms don't separate from the front of your body during the down swing. If they get further away from your body this will expose the hosel to the ball and a shank will occur. Feel the hands staying close to the front of your thighs on the down swing. This will ensure proper contact.

I hope you know have a better understanding of what can cause a shank and some possible solutions.

Thanks for the question.

Michael Hoffman