How do I fix a bad shank

You can try laying a piece of 2x4 on the ground, promoting a slight in to out path. Just take practice swings avoiding hitting the 2x4. Most guys that slice would benefit from this as well. It's one of the oldest tips around, and not even used much. Your hands are working away from your body in the downswing. God Luck!

There are several common causes of the dreaded hozel rocket... For me it is most often caused by opening the clubface and coming too far inside with my hands either in the backswing or when my downswing starts. It's very frustrating and something that rears it's evil head every couple of months. The best thing for me was to work with a good teacher who has been able to teach me what causes this problem so I can diagnose it and move on... I recommend working with a good teacher/golf professional to get it sorted out.

DITTO: ''I recommend working with a good teacher/golf professional to get it sorted out.'' This is the first place I go when the hosel rockets show up. BEST SOLUTION. =)

Bad shank? Is there ever a good shank? Having a swing coach is always the best advice for fixing issues but know that a shank occurs when the club returns closer than at address. This is most often due to hip extension pushing forward but not always. Get professional help to know for sure, especially if you saw the swings of us giving you advice.

It is alarming how guys with little game claim to know the golf swing. We have a few guys at my club that are teaching their kids, they have no business even commenting on the golf swing.

Had a rough season this summer. Finally admitted defeat and the self diagnosis and friend tips weren’t helping. Took a lesson w our teaching pro on wed morning, shot 78 today with a chunked chip 1 3 putt, and one 2x bogey.

Get a lesson to cure the shanks

Dale is exactly right, there are various swing flaws that can initiate a shank. Early extension is probably the most common reason, but certainly not the only reason. As others have suggest, have a qualified PGA professional take a look at your swing. They should be able to diagnose it fairly quickly and give you swing drills to correct it.

This is one swing problem where another set of eyes would really help; hopefully your local pro. That said ,if it happens in the middle of a round, as it usually does, here's a possible quick fix that has helped me;

Ideally, the club face at impact is in the same position as it was at the start of the back swing. In the case of a shank, for whatever reason, the club face shifts to a position where the heel of the club and the hosel impact the ball instead of the middle of the club face.

Try setting the ball position slightly off the toe at address. This isn't a cure by any means, but more of a band aid approach to fixing the problem, and hopefully get you through the round .

Hope this helps.

Mike has a solution that I tried today and it works!

Advice from those of us that haven’t seen your swing? Might as well put your change in your other pocket and put your hat on backwards.

I have had those! I was taught, To TRY AND HIT A SHANK! In my experience this is typically one of the following, being too close to the ball, having too much weight on your toe at address, Coming "over the top" in your down swing. Good luck and DO NOT QUIT, this to shall pass...

The average non pro golfer swings 60 to 100 mph. Try doing this drill. Set your camera up to record yourself (head, shoulders, and ball contact should be in the video) Do a complete normal swing with ball contact at 10 miles per hour.

Where did the ball go? If it went right again, reverse rotate your left hip faster and a little before your down swing starts.

Also make sure that your left shoulder muscle is touching your chin during your very full and rotated backswing.

Make sure that your swing path is IN to OUT. Not Out to In.

Next, over-exaggerate closing your face during a few of your swings. Notice the different directions that the ball travels.

Once you are able to predict where a 10 mile swing with a certain level of face closed vs open-ness sends the ball. Add 10 more mph to your swing and repeat. The ball might only travel 10 to 40 yards, and that is perfectly fine. Your goal is to control direction.

You'll even discover the sweet spot hit feeling and be able to differentiate them from off center hits.

- Claude Arnell the Golf Slinger!
Keep adding 10 mph and repeating the above drill.

The key for Amateurs like us is perfecting your swing at a slow speed then gradually increasing the speed.

Yes on gotta see it but honestly, it’s pretty tough to shank a shot if you’re swinging the right way, with your body and your arms and club follow.

Just try to tell yourself to leave the club behind you and do everything you can to NOT swing and I bet you’ll be amazed.

Turn baby. Most shanks happen because you don't end up closing the club face and turning. A board like swing will hit the hoselnwith a late delivery.

OMG this is great. I recently developed a case of the shanks. Aside from taking the change from my pocket and turning my hat backwards, nothing has worked. Thanks for the tips here. Now to put them in action.

There’s a gazillion things that cause a shank. For me, too close to the ball, improper shifting of weight or coming over the top. I have had a “glitch” that pops up without warning where my right foot gets stuck on the downswing. It starts out with a pull and the shank is caused by trying to correct it. I can correct it on the course. On the driving range or practice green it takes about 10 minutes. I call it a “swing shutdown.”