Golf Shank

How to Deal with These Golfing Woes

One of the most embarrassing parts to playing the game of golf is the golf shank. It’s also frustrating when you spend hours on the range, and then head to the course only to have a golf shank or two surface during your round. The good news is it’s usually only a minor altercation in your swing that is causing this issue. Then of course maybe a little mental thought problem as well.

What is a Golf Shank?

The easiest way to explain without going into all the technicalities is you sharply hit the ball to the left or right. It is sent through with a low trajectory and basically looks like you’ve swung your golf club for the very first time. The reason it occurs is because you aren’t hitting the ball with your club face. Instead you are hitting it with the thin area that connects the shaft to the club-head.

The Common Causes

Even though hitting in that particular area usually is the reason the ball travels in either direction, your swing is the main culprit. A golf shank can develop for several different reasons. You may be too far away when addressing the ball, you could be extending the club away from the body during the downswing, or even have an outside-in movement that is creating the issue.

Then again, after you provide your fellow players with one golf shank, it’s possible that mind over matter takes a front seat to the issue. Even though this isn’t as common, you could have a set of clubs that are either too long or too short for your body. When this is mixed in with your swing it can create a terrible golf shank.

Preventative Measure and Cures

Sometimes all you need to fix the problem is to see your swing in action. If this has happened more than once, you might ask one of the other players with you to take out their cell phone and record your swing. Granted, we never recommend practicing on the course, but if you are already in a hole, you probably need a solution and fast!

When the round is over and the next time you have a chance to work on your golf shank, head to the range and practice in the grass. Here you can do something as simple as placing 2 tees next to each a couple inches apart. The inner tee should be the one your ball is on, and when you swing make sure you don’t hit the outer tee.

If you do, your swing needs to be more compact during your downswing. This little trick will be able to tell you if you’re still pushing the club out. If you can’t figure it out on your own, we recommend maybe asking a professional for 30 minutes of their time. They may watch one swing of the club and say, “Yep, I see the problem.”

Even though the golf shank is one of the most irritating issues in a person’s golf game, it’s an easy fix if you know what to do. Sometimes certain tips don’t work for an individual, which is why there are several different ones out there. So if you can find the right one, you should have no problem curing your golf shank.