Could a shank be cause just by standing too close to the ball?

[vinnyv20032003]

I'm swinging well, just sometimes shank it, could be because of standing to close sometimes?

[BJG718]

of course. a shank is just poor contact. swing could be flawless but if you dont make center contact, you will shank it.

[alexthegrrr8]

Sure could..I mean I'm no certified instructor but if you are too close at address and you have a slight outside-in path then I can see a shank occurring.

 

Alex

[joesgonegolfing]

You can shank the ball with any swing path if you are too close to the ball or moving into the ball when hitting it.

 

If you watch a pro's swing from behind you will almost never see them move closer to the ball on the downswing, they almost appear to moving away.

 

You can draw a line on the back knee, butt and spine at address and see that stay behind those lines and seem "to fall" further away from the ball as they come into impact.

 

Most players high handicaps move into the ball with an out to in swing and hosel shank the ball. A good player will shank the ball coming from too far inside, when he loses some body control and gets closer to the ball at impact.

 

Many ways to shank a ball, but to fix it you need to know how you are shanking it.

 

Joe

[vinnyv20032003]

Yeah I know when I'm shanking it, its definitely coming from the inside, I've been told this time and time again.

[Goldenhawk]

If I stand too close to the ball, I swing from the outside and in. Then I hit the shank. It's a good reminder to me every now and then when I'm standing too close to the ball or standing too upright.

[joesgonegolfing]

Yeah I know when I'm shanking it, its definitely coming from the inside, I've been told this time and time again.

 

 

If you are sure you are coming from the inside and getting the shank, then you are moving into the ball at contact (or too close to begin with).

 

Take a golf bag and set up so the bag is just touching your butt and make some swings. You should maintain contact with the bag all throughout the swing and as you enter contact you should actually knock it backwards with your left hip coming open and away from the ball.

 

Most guys can start with the bag on their butt but never get in contact with it again as they swing through because they are falling into the ball.

 

You can use a shaft stuck in the ground also.

 

Joe

[hoganfan924]

Good advice, Joe.

 

I find when I shank, it's usually because I get way too quick in transition, get out over my toes and lose control of the clubhead. Common "hitters" problem. Always have to remind myself to make a smooth transition.