There is a shot in golf that is so terrifying, so devastating and so completely void of any redeeming quality that most golfers cringe at the slightest hint of its name. Well, the technical term for this mishap that calls to mind images of demons, lost grace and nausea is–a “Shank.”
A shank occurs when an iron shot is struck in the neck (hosel) of the club rather than on the face. Because the ball rolls off the round neck, it flies straight right, producing a shot so utterly useless it renders the game almost impossible to play.
Shanking produces fear unlike any other consequence in sports and this fear, or lack of confidence, is a contributor to the problem.
A shank is the result of the club’s moving outside the swing plane (or intended line of flight) for one or more of these common reasons:
Common cures for such ills:
With the proper address, all you have to do is swing the club straight back and straight forward. Do not try to manipulate the club’s path.
Swing with Confidence
Although there are as many forms of disability as there are people, a few common threads exist among people playing golf with a physical handicap.
The four major categories of challenged golf are:
All other actions are modifications of these four root swings. So, no matter what type of disability you are experiencing, a useful bit of advice when it comes to finding the right golf equipment is: Keep it light!
Most golfers think that the heavier the club, the more the distance. Actually the opposite is closer to the truth. Distance comes from speed. The faster you swing the club, the farther the ball will go. Too much weight always slows down velocity and that adds up to a loss of yardage. In the world of handicapped golf, this is especially true, since one or more of the normal physical contributors is missing.
In many cases, women’s clubs will suit the male player much better than the standard models. The shaft flex is a bit more whippy and that helps kick in the club head at impact with more speed.
In addition, lighter clubs are much easier to control. I know that in making trick clubs for my show, the only time I have a problem with a new invention is when the club is too heavy. I have found that I can hit quality golf shots with virtually anything–iron pipes, springs, rubber hoses, universal joints–as long as the weight is kept to a bare minimum.
So check with your local PGA professional or club fitter. Make sure that the “static weight,” overall weight of the club, is as light as practical. Test those whippy shafts as well.
A shank occurs when an iron shot is struck in the neck (hosel) of the club rather than on the face. Because the ball rolls off the round neck, it flies straight right, producing a shot so utterly useless it renders the game almost impossible to play.
Shanking produces fear unlike any other consequence in sports and this fear, or lack of confidence, is a contributor to the problem.
A shank is the result of the club’s moving outside the swing plane (or intended line of flight) for one or more of these common reasons:
- Moving weight into the toes on the downswing
- Dragging the club too far on the inside on the backswing
- Forcing the club outside the line on the swing pattern
- Swinging the club outside the line on the backswing and staying outside the line on the downswing
- Standing a bit too close to the ball at address
Common cures for such ills:
- Adjust your weight slightly more in heels at address
- Take the club straight back on the takeaway
- Stand the proper distance from the ball at address, arms hanging freely, with the butt of the club resting approximately seven inches away from your legs
With the proper address, all you have to do is swing the club straight back and straight forward. Do not try to manipulate the club’s path.
Swing with Confidence
Although there are as many forms of disability as there are people, a few common threads exist among people playing golf with a physical handicap.
The four major categories of challenged golf are:
- One arm swing
- One leg swing
- Seated position
- Blind golf
All other actions are modifications of these four root swings. So, no matter what type of disability you are experiencing, a useful bit of advice when it comes to finding the right golf equipment is: Keep it light!
Most golfers think that the heavier the club, the more the distance. Actually the opposite is closer to the truth. Distance comes from speed. The faster you swing the club, the farther the ball will go. Too much weight always slows down velocity and that adds up to a loss of yardage. In the world of handicapped golf, this is especially true, since one or more of the normal physical contributors is missing.
In many cases, women’s clubs will suit the male player much better than the standard models. The shaft flex is a bit more whippy and that helps kick in the club head at impact with more speed.
In addition, lighter clubs are much easier to control. I know that in making trick clubs for my show, the only time I have a problem with a new invention is when the club is too heavy. I have found that I can hit quality golf shots with virtually anything–iron pipes, springs, rubber hoses, universal joints–as long as the weight is kept to a bare minimum.
So check with your local PGA professional or club fitter. Make sure that the “static weight,” overall weight of the club, is as light as practical. Test those whippy shafts as well.
