Curing a shank with TG User - Keith...

Curing a Shank

By TG User

Iron Play

10 August 2009 18:14

After playing for 20 years, although always a high handicapper, a few weeks ago I was playing my best golf for several years.

Suddenly from nowhere I got a shank from a 3 and 4 iron.

This has developed nicely and I now can acheive a shank with everything from a 3 iron to a lob wedge - and consistently too.

Despite a trip to the pro and hitting hundreds of practice balls the problem persisted.

The video tips on Today's Golfer that I have just viewed will undoubtedly help, but I think my major fault is not specifically covered, nor was it picked up by the pro.

Although the result of the fault is well dignosed (having the hands out in front at impact and hitting the hosel) we couldn't stop me doing it.

I think I now understand.

I now realise that my takeaway with the irons has unintentionally become a little flatter and is emulating the takeaway (and resultant swing) that I use for the driver. In my period of difficulty the driver (with draw) has remained reasonably intact and reliable.

The fact that I have a flatter 'round the shoulder' takeaway and downswing has resulted in me, unintentionally, trying to hit a draw shot with the irons  (the old right-foot inswinging corner from the left side of the football pitch).

This has resulted in  having my hands further away from my body as I am hitting across the back of the ball.

The result is as my pro and others describe, but the critical point for me is the root cause, which was the method/style of takeaway.

No matter how I tried to keep my hands close to the body on the downswing we could not solve the problem I now relise that to just concentrate on the downswing was doomed to failure without correcting the takeaway

 I don't profess to be a coach but the last few weeks have been utterly depressing and I hope his might help others.

(I'm off to the range to further test the solution)

By TG User - Keith