What causes a golf shank?

There’s little that strikes fear into a golfer more than the prospect of a golf shank. It’s not just a poor shot; it can be a total derailment of a hole. Just imagine you’ve positioned yourself perfectly to hit a shot you’ve managed hundreds of times before. However, as your club makes contact with the ball, it skews off horizontally, seemingly miles away from the flag at which you were aiming.

The golf shank is a horrible moment, and one that can feel really embarrassing. If you’re not careful, it might even diminish your confidence to the point that the round you’re playing is unrecoverable.

All that said, it happens to everyone at some point. The important thing is learning how to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

In this guide, you’ll learn what causes a golf shank, how you can recover from it both physically and mentally, and what you can do to make sure you never shank the ball again.

What is a golf shank?

In case you’re unfamiliar, a golf shank isn’t any old poor shot; it’s one where the ball flies off horizontally to the right (if you’re right-handed).

The ball will also get far less distance than your intended shot would have. So, if you’re using a wood or an iron fairly early on for a hole, it can slow you down and set you back.

Not only can it slow you down in terms of the number of strokes required to complete a hole in golf, but the shank can also have a noticeable mental impact, particularly on confidence. It’s not unusual for one golf shank to throw off a player to the point that they’re struggling to hit any more shots with which they’d usually have no problem.

It’s for this reason that so much as saying the word ‘shank’ on a golf course is frowned upon. It’s become something of a taboo, and the superstition is that once the word is uttered, it might affect other players on the course.

So, all in all, it’s a crease you really ought to iron out of your game.

What causes a shank in golf?

There are a number of different causes that might result in a golf shank.

First and foremost, a shank happens when you strike the ball with the hosel of the golf club. This is the part that connects the heel of the clubface and the shaft. It’s nowhere near the sweet spot on the clubface, and this is why the shot skews off to the side.

It’s likely that the reason you might be hitting the ball with the hosel and not the sweet spot is down to your swing, and there are a couple of common swing errors that can cause a golf shank.

The first and most common is an out-to-in swing. This happens when your club begins outside your target line and then cuts across the ball. At best, this might result in a slight slice, but at worst, you could shank the ball horizontally.

Another cause, and unsurprisingly the opposite, is an in-to-out swing. This is likely to cause a hook more than a slice. With that in mind, let’s look at what you can do to prevent a shank from happening again.

How to avoid shanking a golf ball

First, you need to identify the cause of your golf shank: is it down to an out-to-in swing or an in-to-out swing?

Out-to-in

One of the causes of an out-to-in swing and its resulting golf shank is that your swing is too steep. To amend this, you’ll need to shallow your swing.

Ensure you don’t stand too close to the ball. If you’re standing too close, your swing path will naturally begin more on the outside before coming across the ball.

Balance is another important factor. Your toes are likely bearing the brunt of your weight. This is too far forward, so try and readjust to ensure your weight is spread more evenly throughout your body. In other words: before you hit the ball, don’t lean forwards. Only redistribute your weight forwards as you swing, with more emphasis on your front foot as your backswing reaches its top and then even more when you hit the ball.

As with any shot, your grip is also important. Holding the club too hard is a common cause of a golf shank.

In-to-out

If you’re suffering from the consequences of an in-to-out swing, your downswing is likely too shallow and needs to be steeper.

Try leaning forwards a little. This will give you a larger range of motion for your downswing, allowing you to readjust your swing path.

Whether your swing is starting too far outwards or inwards, though, the principle remains the same: proper technique and good habits will result in a more consistent swing.

Don't let a golf shank affect your confidence

There’s little in the game of golf that can result in a bigger drop in confidence than a shank. All of a sudden, your remaining shots seem daunting. How do you know you won’t shank the ball again?

It’s incredibly important that, if you do shank the ball, you don’t ruminate on it. Remember: everyone shanks the ball from time to time, even the professionals. The more time you spend thinking about the shank you did on your last shot, the more likely you are to do it again.

So, put it out of your mind as quickly as possible. You might feel embarrassed, and there might be a smirk or subdued laugh or two around you, but a shank isn’t unique to you. Everyone you’re sharing the golf course with has likely been a victim of the dreaded shank themselves.

Can you buy anti-shank golf clubs?

Yes, some golf clubs are advertised as anti-shank. Anti-shank golf clubs have been marketed since the early 1900s, and typically either result in a larger clubface or a hosel which is curved and moved further away from the sweet spot to reduce the chance of accidental contact.

However, they’re not especially common, and it’s generally agreed upon that improving your technique is the answer to your shanking concerns, not changing your equipment. 

The most important thing to remember is that shanks will affect everyone, but they are avoidable. It’s not uncommon for golfers to consider quitting the game altogether because of a nasty shank habit, but with these tips, you can begin to correct that bad habit for good.

Identify why you’re shanking the ball and take the steps to correct it. If you do hit a golf shank, brush it off, remember the correct technique, and go again.

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