Few shots in golf are as alarming as the shank. The ball shoots off almost sideways, low and to the right (for a right-handed golfer), often after an ugly clatter off the hosel. One shank tends to lead to another, because the fear of it creates tension, and tension makes it worse. The good news is that the shank has a small number of clear causes, and once you understand them, it is very fixable.
Directions are for right-handed golfers. Left-handers should reverse them.
What is a shank?
A shank is a strike on the hosel, the curved neck that connects the club head to the shaft. Because the hosel is round, the ball shoots off sharply to the right, usually low. It is most common with irons and wedges, especially on short shots.
A shank is not the same as a toe strike, which sends the ball weakly to the right with a dull feel but stays on the face. If you are not sure which you are hitting, spray the face with foot powder or use impact tape before you hit.
Why it happens: the club is further away at impact
The simplest way to understand a shank: at impact, the club head is further from your body than it was at address. That brings the hosel, rather than the centre of the face, into the ball. The causes are anything that pushes the club head outward.
1. Standing too close or reaching
If you set up too close, your hands are cramped; if you reach, your weight moves to your toes. Both make a hosel strike more likely. Read golf posture at address and golf ball position.
2. Weight moving towards the toes
If your weight moves onto your toes during the swing, your body moves closer to the ball and the club head moves out. It often happens on slopes with the ball below your feet. Read how to play uneven lies.
3. Early extension
Thrusting the hips towards the ball in the downswing (standing up) moves the hands and club outward. This is one of the most common causes among club golfers.
4. Out-to-in path with an open face
Swinging over the top, from outside to in, can bring the hosel to the ball, particularly if the face is open.
5. Too far in-to-out
Golfers who swing too far from the inside, with the hands moving out away from the body, can also shank. It often happens when golfers trying to fix a slice overdo the in-to-out path.
6. Open face and no release
A face that stays wide open, with the hands leading too far, exposes the hosel. Read how to release the golf club.
7. Tension and fear
Tight hands and arms, often from the fear of another shank, make the hands push away from the body.
Quick fixes on the course
When the shanks strike mid-round, keep it simple:
- Stand a little further from the ball than normal, or move the ball towards the toe of the club at address.
- Feel your weight in your heels throughout the swing.
- Aim to strike the ball on the toe of the face. Most golfers who shank find they hit the centre when they try this.
- Grip pressure light, and take a few deep breaths to release tension.
- Make a slightly shorter, smoother swing, and finish in balance.
- Choose a less risky shot for the rest of the round: a putt or chip-and-run instead of a lofted pitch. Read chip or putt? How to choose.
Drills to cure the shank
1. The tee or headcover drill
Place a tee in the ground, or a headcover, about an inch outside the ball (on the far side from you). Hit shots without touching it. If you hit the tee or headcover, the club is moving out towards the hosel. This is the most effective shank drill.
2. Two-ball drill
Set two balls side by side, a couple of inches apart. Address the inside ball (nearest you) and hit it without touching the outer ball.
3. Toe strike drill
Address the ball on the toe of the club and try to hit it there on purpose. It retrains the hands to move closer to the body through impact.
4. Heels drill
Hit half shots with your toes raised slightly off the ground, keeping your weight on your heels. It stops your weight moving forward towards the ball.
5. Wall or chair drill
Set up with your bottom just touching a wall or the back of a chair. Make slow swings while keeping contact through impact. It prevents early extension.
6. Foot-powder check
Spray the club face with foot powder or use impact tape, and check where you are striking the ball after each shot. Feedback is crucial.
Equipment checks
- Lie angle: clubs with a lie that is too upright for you can encourage heel strikes. Read custom golf club fitting.
- Club length: clubs that are too short or too long can make you stand too close or reach.
- Offset: some golfers find clubs with less hosel visibility, or more offset, help visually.
Prevention
- Check your set-up regularly with alignment sticks and video.
- Work on hip mobility to avoid early extension. Read golf fitness exercises.
- Keep practice varied. Many shanks come from fatigue after long practice sessions with wedges.
- Have a lesson if the shanks persist. A coach can spot the cause quickly. Read golf lessons: choosing an instructor.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I suddenly start shanking?
Usually a small change in set-up (standing closer, more weight on the toes) or swing (early extension, open face). Fear then makes it worse. Check your set-up first.
Is a shank the same as a socket?
Yes. "Socket", "hosel rocket" and "lateral" are all nicknames for a shank.
Why do I shank my wedges more than my longer clubs?
Wedge swings are often shorter and more handsy, and golfers tend to stand closer. Tension and deceleration on short shots also play a part.
Can a shank be caused by the ball position?
Yes, if the ball is too far from the toe line or too close to your feet. Check your distance from the ball.
The bottom line
The shank is scary, but it has simple causes: the club head moving further away from you between address and impact. Stand the right distance from the ball, keep your weight off your toes, avoid standing up through impact and keep your grip pressure light. Use the tee drill and impact feedback to retrain the path, and the shanks will soon be a bad memory. For more on striking, read how to hit the ball solidly.