The Shank; Golf’s most feared shot

In golf, few words strike fear like “shank.” It’s not just a bad shot, it’s a total mishit, caused when the ball hits the hosel (where the shaft meets the clubhead), sending it rocketing sideways.

“I can remember when I had the shanks at an England squad golf coaching session. The two days were highly embarrassing and psychologically wearing whilst other players were working on technical issues, my coach spent the entire time trying to cure my shanks.” Quote from Greatmaker.

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Why it’s so damaging:

• Uncontrollable miss; the ball shoots off sharply right (for right-handers).

• Mental meltdown; one shank can ruin confidence for the whole round.

• Technical breakdown; usually caused by poor setup, posture loss, or an inside-out swing path.

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Common causes:

• Standing too close to the ball

• Early extension (losing posture through impact)

• Swing path too far from the inside

• Tension in hands or grip

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Final tip:

Don’t fear the shank, learn from it. It’s a sign something’s off and it’s fixable. Focus on fundamentals, relax and swing with control.

Here is a simple anti-shank drill

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