Butch Harmon on How To Fix The Shanks | Golf Lessons | Golf Digest
what is a shank it’s pretty simple a shank is when the ball hits the hosle of the club and it shoots off to the right most people think they come in with an open Club face and they hit it this way that’s not what happens the Club closes as it comes in the ball hits the hosle of the club here and it shoots off to the right like that not very far and doesn’t feel very good let me hit one for you gosh I hate even trying to hit this but I’m going to do it just for you so you can understand what happens there’s the shank let me explain why this happens this club face comes in closed like this the toe of the club hits in the ground and you get a long skinny divot like that as the club exits the reason it’s so hard to get rid of is everybody thinks they do it with the open Club face and they say I’m going to get that right hand in there this time and it gets worse and worse if you’re on the practice team and you’re having trouble hitting Shanks simple drill to help you get out of it all you have to do is take your head cover off your driver bring it over here and put it right next to the ball just so the toe of the club is almost touching the head cover the first couple shots you hit you’re going to see that you come over the top and you hit the head cover with the toe of the club to help you one other thing address the club a little bit on the toe make your swing and have the feeling you’re hitting the inside of the ball swinging out if you get the shanks remember most of the time you do it with a closed Club face use the head cover drill you won’t shank again
PGA Tour golfer and golf instructor Butch Harmon explains the reasons — and offers a cure for — the dreaded shank.
Transcript:
What is a shank? It’s pretty simple. A shank is when the ball hits the hosel of the club and it shoots off to the right. Most people think they come in with an open club face and they hit it this way. That’s not what happens. The club closes as it comes in, the ball hits the hosel of the club here, and it shoots off to the right like that, not very far and it doesn’t feel very good. Let me hit one for you. Gosh, I hate even trying to hit this, but I’m gonna do it just for you so you can understand what happens. There’s the shank. Let me explain why this happens. This club face comes in closed like this, the toe of the club hits in the ground, and you get a long, skinny divot like that as the club exits. The reason it’s so hard to get rid of is everybody thinks they do it with the open club face and they say, I’m gonna get that right hand in there this time, and it gets worse and worse. If you’re on a practice tee and you’re having trouble hitting shanks, a simple drill to help you get out of it. All you have to do is take your head cover off your driver, bring it over here, and put it right next to the ball, just so the toe of the club is almost touching the head cover. The first couple shots you hit, you’re going to see that you come over the top, and you hit the head cover with the toe of the club. To help you, one other thing. Address the club a little bit on the toe, make your swing, and have the feeling you’re hitting the inside of the ball, swinging out. If you get the shanks, remember, most of the time you do it with a closed club face. Use the head cover drill, you won’t shank again.
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Butch Harmon on How To Fix The Shanks | Golf Lessons | Golf Digest
39 Comments
Shanks for the tip Butch!
Very brief and comprehensive.. Thanks Butch!!
A shank, of course, can also be caused by the hosel leading, in other words, an open club face. If you hit the shot on the hosel, it’s going to shank, even with a square club face.
Quit golf about 7 years ago because of shanks. Came back out strong. 36 after a few rounds then out of nowhere my next round after a piped drive.. .smh
His father told him that most shanks occur with a closed clubface, but I have serious doubts. Shanking is primarily a path problem, not a face problem, and I would bet more of them occur with an open clubface as opposed to a closed one.
I tried this with another ball on a par 3 tee today, I lost both balls in the river to the right..
Do it with a 2×4 . It is real motivating.
Thanks for this tip. I just recently shot my best round of a 75 and the next day out of nowhere I got the shanks and shot a 91, I was so pissed, I’ll keep this tip in mind.😅
Put the ball in the heel and address then hit it on the center at impact to fix it
Thanks, Butch. Worked like a charm!!
Sign up for shankers support group down below 👇
I did this drill. Somehow I find a way to not hit the head cover and still shank it. I need some serious help
2.4 handicap and I got the shanks!! I’m going to use a club head cover going forward to get warmed up on the range!! It worked!!!!!
good explanation
shot a 74 yesterday, then had the worst shanks today
Wonderful drill that saved me. If you just focus on not hitting the cover or basket or box or whatever, you will correct it
im a scratch. recently developed a case of mad shanks this summer. couldnt get rid of em. goin towards the toe made it even worse. just trying to help others who might be xperiencing the same thing. i started addressing the ball on the literal heel of the golf club. im generally quite steep on shots and I think I started developing an out to in swing path with a closed face. bringing it in more towards the hosel helped me shallow out the swing more. not saying butch is wrong, but i think its pointed more towards amateurs. so if youre struggling as a low handicapper give this a try.
Thank you Mr. Harmon. This worked for me, and increased my ball striking in general. It was scary!
Other videos over complicated it ad nauseam.
To those looking for a cure, try this FIRST!
I don’t think it was necessary to demonstrate a shank like we’ve never seen one before.
I felt like tin cup today. Thought it was funny at first, then after 5 shanks it started to dawn on me. Now here I am.
This happen every time I play alot of golf
Is it permissiblel to put a headcover next to the ball when you're playing?
Butch. I’m almost positive I am doing it w the open face, all of my misses are going right
I get this every now and again and then it goes away like nothing. WTF!
I’m hoping this helps. I had 4 rounds in the 80s and played yesterday and dropped a 106. It was like my body had forgotten how to hit a golf ball.
We will recover my friends!
Thought I’d share this as it’s happened to me for the 3rd time. I’ve tried every drill and video on here. Firstly the last couple of times I tried and the only thing that worked was having a week off. This time I had to try figure it out. I tried every drill again and nothing then all I did was roll my hands through the shot and it worked. No idea why as it goes against everything the pros say but give it a try.
My shanks produce very normal divots. In my case I let my weight go to my toes on the downswing and I move closer, therefore hitting the ball with the hosel.
I find this only works if my wife lies down next to the ball.
I shanked again.
This is about the only thing I disagree with Butch on. If anything you should line the ball up on the heel and be forcing your hands back in closer to your body. Works for all of my students even the none athletic ones.
Been shanking alot last couple range sessions. Especially with short wedge half swings. Will try mr harmans tips and see what happens
What gives me comfort is that the shanks gets to everyone at some point. Thought I was the only one 😂
I’m watching this video while I’m at the course playing. 😂
The anti-shankopotomous drill. TY
whats he mean by hitting the inside of the ball
Shot my first round under par on Saturday…Next range session I hit 100/150 balls off the hosel. In shock atm.
I am a PRO SHANKER, lol. JP I tried golf for first time. Im good on the green, its getting to the green like in long hits is my weakness.
Can’t even break 100 right now. Constant shanks. Just played 9 and shanked a shot on EVERY hole. One of em Hit someone’s freaking patio. The Frustration is getting to me.