Use a Towel to Stop the Shanks

By Glenn Mcanally

All golfers have shanked the ball before. A shank is when the club hits the ball with the hosel (the area between the club face and shaft.) This sends the ball off at a sharp angle away from the target. The shanks occur more often with the wedges because the swing path is steep and the club moves from outside to inside the ball. These shots have a more open club face to get lots of loft. The problem is this puts the hosel close to the ball. To minimize the shanks, give the following towel drill a try.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Start with a towel on the ground right along the swing path line with the ball about two inches away from the towel.

Step 2

Fold the towel neatly so that you can tell if it has received even the slightest touch from the club.

Step 3

Let the arms hang naturally from the shoulders at address or set up, leaving the golf ball slightly out of reach from the club head.

Step 4

Stick your buttocks back like you would before you sit in a chair. That will bring your club up to the ball and put space between your arms and body.

Step 5

Take a swing and see if you have disturbed the towel. If you have, that tells you that you shanked it because your hips and buttocks pulled in toward the ball.

Tips & Warnings

At the end of your backswing, let gravity initiate the downswing and you will stay in better alignment. As you get better, try moving the towel closer to the ball.

At the end of your backswing, let gravity initiate the downswing and you will stay in better alignment.

As you get better, try moving the towel closer to the ball.

Don't do this on a grass mat.They are not meant for practicing with wedges unless you are hitting your wedges at a teed up ball. Striking irons against a hard grass mat will eventually cause tendonitis. Irons and wedges are meant to strike down and through the grass, which absorbs the shock instead of your arms.

About The Author

Glenn McAnally is a thriller novelist and life long golfer who lives in Southern California. His most recent work is the action thriller Endangered as well as a story credit for the upcoming Nintendo DS title Elite Forces: Unit 77. He is a graduate of Villanova University.

Not a Member?

Join Now - It's FREE!

Member Sign In

Email Address

Password

Keep me logged in

Forgot your password?

Nearby Tee Time HOT Deals!

Monday, May 28 to Saturday, Jun 02

Free Golf Tips & Instructions

Golfers can develop bad habits over the years if they do not regularly ...

How to Hit a Golf Driver

The golf driver is the longest club in your bag. It is the most difficu...

How to Make a Good Downswing

The old adage that all wars are won before they are ever fought can be ...

How to Cure the Shanks

Mention the word "shank" in any golf locker room and listen to the conv...

How to Use Your Stomach Muscles To Hit Farther

A lot of how-to articles talk about the body parts that contribute most...

View All Related Articles

Video of the Day

Balance As Your Teacher

By Gary Wiren

If you lose your balance during the swing then you probably made a bad swing, make sure your body is balanced on your front side ... Watch the Video Now

Article of the Day

Why Do I Top the Ball in My Golf Swing?

When the club head hits the top half of the ball, the shot never gets airborne and the result is...

Read full article