Shanking

Sounds like you don't need help shanking, probably need help to stop shanking. Nothing better than getting hooked up with a pro to keep you on track, especially if you are new at this crazy game and don't want to develop long lasting bad swing habits that are harder to break later on. That being said, I found a good way to stop mine. I practice occasionally with a second golf ball above and to the right (45 degrees) from the one I address and hit. It forces me to keep the club on the inside and my misses on the toe instead of the hosel. Some people use a head cover or a empty golf ball box just above the ball. Same solution, keeps you more towards the toe on your shots. Good luck!

Sh@#ks happen for a number of reasons. I could name more than a handful off the top of my head. Without seeing your swing, we'd only be guessing how to fix the problem. But one thing I can assure you, it IS fixable, and likely won't be a big deal once the reason for them is identified. Most players, from novices to experts can be affected my the dreaded s-words at some point in time.

Video your swing and run it by a teaching professional at your local course/club for a quick assessment and possible easy solution....without going through a lesson. I work closely with a number of PGA instructors who would not charge you a penny for their quick opinion. I would expect, most instructors in general would be willing to do the same. It makes common sense for marketing themselves. A little good-will, 30-second assessment/opinion now, for the potential of a 1-hour lesson (or multiple lessons) down the road. ;-)

If you have the chance to take a lesson from a teaching pro, that would be best as they can give you a few drills for your swing path. Typically shanks come from an outside to in path but can be from in to out as well. If you are new to the game, it will benefit you most effectively.

When I start doing the word we do use, I go see my pro as quickly as I can get to see him. Tim has magic dust in his little bag that he spreads over me and my stance/alignment that seems to make them go away. Just kidding, but he always helps me out. They always show up at the most inopportune time, as two of those rascals did today.
Was able to scramble for a bogey. =)

A couple lessons would be great, or look up and watch some of the instructional videos, and try to understand what is the cause. Get you a copy of Leadbetter's Faults & Fixes book.
Keep in mind that once you've had the shanks, it will always be in your DNA and you just try to minimize the occurrences. I keep hearing they are working on a vaccine for it but to date it's still in the trial process.

Sage advice from all of the above. Best to see a teaching pro to see what is going on. As you are new to the game, he may not only fix your shank, but also give you some other pointers to help you more fully enjoy the best sport on the planet.

CGowers, one piece of advice from some of us old timers. Use of that dreaded five letter word is like COVID another five word, we feel it can be contagious, when spoken opening and freely. Just saying and punning. I use the term Chilly Poppers. We all have something else in our mental dictionary and use of THAT word makes cold chills run up and down our spines. Have a good lesson. Welcome to Team Titleist. =)

... or hosel rockets.

Italians call it the "Osso buco".

There are a lot of videos on youtube. Shanking usually comes from an over-the-top swing.

My biggest fix was keeping my head level throughout my whole swing, keeping my eyes on the ball, and turning my hands early… hope this helps!

Two comments that reigned true throughout this thread are that the shanks are indeed fixable and that your local professional should be able to help you.

We've all been there. For me when the "hosel rockets" start firing,I generally back up a little at address and set up with the ball off the toe of the iron.

It's a bandaid fix, but has worked for me, whenever that dreaded situation arises.

I was shaking almost every shot. I finally broke down and got a lesson. This past season I was so focused on hitting a draw, I didn’t realize my contact was getting worse. I would analyze your club path.

With the humidity so high today, we could almost cut it with a sand wedge, Mr Hozelrocket and I really had a battle and I lost big time. I battle pulmonary issues and today was really hard on me. We have been getting evening showers for the past two weeks and with the temperatures in the 90s, it is like a sauna on the course. Lost six golf balls today and scored the worst round I have had since I can remember playing this crazy game. We you are grasping for fresh air, tough to focus on that little white ball. My portable fan and all the cold water and Gatorade I drank did not help. Hakuna matata, Friday is just two days away. =) Venting helps, sometimes.

No question high temps are a hazard, especially for those of checking for a SSA deposit. Saw a quote 75% of all golfers have significant dehydration after a round. Add in health issues and seniors are particularly at risk on course. My payback for dehydrating is cramping after a round. Anytime the temp is over 84 is time to be careful.

Cheers to (the) Arnold Palmer.

I feel exactly what you said. experienced that last week in the hot sun here on Long Island.

I find that a huge mug of cawfee, followed by a slug of port on the 5th tee box, then 4-5 tinnies, spread over the remaining holes, tends to solve the dehydration issues.

I usually shank when I take my eyes off the ball before impact. I try to delay watching my shot. It helps keep my head down and eyes on the ball for as long as possible.

As people have said, there are lots of things that cause shanks. Assuming you have heel shanks and not toe shanks, one great way to work on them is putting something like an old glove just outside the toe of the club and hitting the ball without hitting the glove. If you can constantly start hitting solid shots and miss the glove, you'll be well on your way to curing this horrible disease.

First, let’s clarify what we’re talking about when we talk about the shank.

A shank occurs when you hit the ball "off the hosel". Some golfers confuse slices and shanks for understandable reasons. Both shots are aggravating, and both hinder your game with a right-ward ball flight. (Again, that’s if you’re right-handed.)

The difference is that a slice is generally caused by delivering an open club face at impact. A slice happens as a result of the orientation of the club face, not the point of contact. You can still hit the ball in the sweet spot (or "off the toe") and hit a slice. Now, this difference can be hard to feel. Fortunately, you can tell whether you’ve sliced it or shanked it just by observing your ball flight.

A golf shank travels low and directly to the right.
A slice gets up in the air and curves to the right.

Nowhere did I mention or confuse a shank with a slice. A toe shank is a real thing that is in no way a slice (nor is it just a simple "off the toe" strike) and is caused by almost completely missing the clubface and hitting the ball off the very end of the toe, not even the club face. It comes off exactly like a hosel shank and you wouldn't be able to tell by simply looking at the ball flight. If you struggle with this shot and assume it's a normal hosel shank, you'd be working on fixing the exact opposite of the problem you have, and that's why I brought it up.