Fix your Shanks! #1 Most Popular Teacher on You Tube Shawn Clement

[Isykul]

I think you make a great point around the 8.39 mark about the body not moving and the arms coming from outside to in which is what I found myself inadvertantly doing on short wedge shots. I felt I was doing nothing wrong until I saw my club tracking on a golf simulator, with wedge coming in at 45 degrees to the ball which then squirted out to the right. Of course, once this starts to happen, tension creeps in and makes it worse. With a full wedge, I had not problem, playing like a normal shot.

[fisher5121]

i took a slow-mo video of my swing and i can see myself pivoting almost in a forward (towards the ball) motion rather than rolling over. therefore you can see my left knee almost out towards the ball at contact. along with this, i have this involuntary move towards teh ball that i cant tell im even doing. is there a way to fix this?

[clemshaw]

@fisher5121 Have a look at one of my oldie but goodie videos called "Hogan Power Drill" where you use a mirror or a sliding door to keep your butt in place so that you don't fall into the ball; see also my "uphill shot; shawn clement" for training this even more; Shawn

[titleistD2]

I want to thank you for sharing your rare and highly sought after knowledge. I have had a few professionals look at my swing, None could explain the cause of a shank like you can. One went as far to tell me its in my head.. Which to a certain point could be true but you fixed me fine. Thank you, I wish u taught in Utah

[medal123golf]

I have had the shanks, off and on, for about a year and a half. I just recently came across this video and have been able to eliminate the shank from my game! The relief is more than I can tell you. Thanks Shawn!

[sharkhark]

..wow good stuff...why didnt i go to u when i lived in toronto?...now in halifax..sigh..shankapotomous here. like many...it just shows up at random at couple times/yr.

especially notice it if i get a bit tired. i will sift thru your ideas but the very first tip u give seems my possible problem. A golf friend from torontogolfnuts recommended u and said he takes lessons from u. Your reputation is wide, a guy from ns i played with yesterday saw my shank & said u ever here of sean clement

[sbosch22]

I've been shanking off and on now for over 8 years. Very FRUSTRATING. One day I can shoot an 80 and the next a 110. If I swing really easy and hold the club like an egg in my hand the results are straight , but I lose the distance. Example: I usually hit my 7 iron 165 -170 on a good day. When the shanks arrive I try and swing easy as mentioned, but now I'm hitting my 7 only 130 tops. I can't tell if I'm leaning into the ball or not releasing the club and leading the hosel to the ball. Help!!!!!!

[clemshaw]

@sbosch22 Please go have a look at my new "golf pro lesson strike it pure" part 1 and 2 videos and you will see the biggest reason and final cure for that Shank!

Shawn

[headlesssoldier]

@sbosch22 i was exactly the same way..and tried EVERYTHING. Do this: hit small shots with a head cover under your right arm armpit. what i discovered was that a shank results from losing your balance on the downswing. (ie, not moving through the shot). The pinned right arm will force your right elbow down and will make you have to turn your shoulder away. it will also make you feel a connected take away.

[helenathena]

pulling the arms across my body into my left leg more causes a shank, because it creates a open club face i really haven't seen any one explain that but i figure it out on my own just saying for other people who have relative problems

[clemshaw]

Thanks for the comment; on this aspect you just spoke of; see my "golf pro lesson weak grip or strong grip" and you will see the associated body language with each one; a grip that is too weak will produce a reaction exactly what you describe here; then see "golf pro lesson head steady and shanks part 2"; Shawn

[helenathena]

very informative, the golf fix says the same thing and Micheal Breed is an expert and you had a tad bit more information than him. its very important to keep you body and head level the same through the shot because u stand up your screwed and tiger use to do that many times before he really go this swing perfect, also to keep your body posture through the shot. but i have also study my swing and theres one more thing

[fireatheaven]

Hi Clemshaw, My swing flaw is unfortunately thrusting my right hip towards the ball. (maybe you could confirm or correct me on this) which gives my swing a tendancy to force the hosel nearer to the ball. unless I raise up and release early, (I think!). I have struggled with this and bouts of shanking which has devestated my feel and striking confidence. I seem to be able to maintain posture in practice swings but the dynamics of hitting the ball make me lose posture.

[clemshaw]

It can also be the way you see the ball; you should have the ground in play on your way to the target; see " golf pro lesson the insanity of golf" and see how you do with skipping small flat discs to a target like pennies; then pretend the ball is sitting on top of the penny! Shawn

[RA1NM4N94]

if you shanking it you should give up becouse your rubish.

[HAROLDDESAMAR]

True story : 11 hcp, I started with shanks... horrible 50 shanks during a competition. Two weeks later shanks disapeared... one month later shanks came back... horrible... I decided to take a lesson with my pro... he changed my grip...in thirty minutes... since I am playing the best golf of my life... shank is now a bad souvenir... check with your pro... this is my advice, (Iam not a pro...)

[nodecentusernames1]

i only shank my seven iron, do you reckon there is any reason for that?

[HomeyHansPeter]

this probably has to do with your psych

[warrior4ever1992]

probably slightly bent

[clemshaw]

Is it the same brand of club?

[nodecentusernames1]

yeah its sorted now ha must of been my mind

[drummerkingmike]

Gotta be psychological that dont you think?

[Harleyrohlfs]

Shawn, i have stumbled across your video while serching for answers to the shank. Your video was very informative and I will be tring out your techniques this weekend. I wanted to thank you for your time and effort to save the love of a game that can be so difficult to play... wish me luck!

[trextrextrex]

I came looking for a solution to hitting the ball too close to the heel. I was waiting in a Golfsmith for a club repair and was hitting 6 irons. Everything I was hitting was toward the heel I NEVER hit a signle ball close to the center only on the inward half od the club. Strangley enough the club repair was a driver which had a crack at the hosel(Doesnt take Sherlock Holmes to figure out why it cracked) So it's off to the driving range in the morning with talcom Powder and a posture check.

[clemshaw]

Hey Trex!

Thanks for the comment; first, have a look at the answer I gave cheeverdog and add this to it; keep your head nice and steady behind the ball and braced against the left side and let the whole body glide around this axis...See "golf pro lesson tilted spiral" part 1 and 2; bottom line is stay relaxed and keep swinging to a target, do not default to the ball! Shawn

[badboybarrio]

I don't understand why must someone who has a nice,steady straight swing learn golf from Youtube or maybe watch Clemshaw's videos..No hard feelings but these videos are only for beginners and those who have problems with their swing like me...and I watched most of Clemshaw's videos..it worked..I fully enjoyed my golf game now..less slice,less hook and no shank at all...and as for me just learn one swing from your favorite Golf Pro..because different pros have different style.. shah-S'pore

[cheeverdog]

I hit a pretty good ball on the course with only an occasional shank..practicing at home i taught my dog to fetch and return golf balls in the park..i do great until someone starts watching and then it's hello shank town. To the point where it's gotten dangerous for houses and bystanders. The harder i try not to shank, the farther right it goes. What is going on here. Looks like its back to tennis balls for the dogs.

[clemshaw]

The more you tense up, the more the body stays in the way and creates a big obstacle for the arms; the arms have to go around and the neck of the club is forced into the ball; so focus on freedom to a target! "golf pro lesson timing and tempo update" and also see "golf pro lesson ball bearings and sockets" Shawn

[cheeverdog]

Thanks, I videod my swing and found that i was dragging the club so far inside and behind my back it was 2 feet off plane. I tried a body turn wrist cock upward and the plane got better but striking is iffy at best. one good 2 bad. Swinging on plane feels so wrong its ridiculous. I must still be doing something crazy..i went from shooting 78 to 86 in 2 weeks with no more confidence.

[dkemp925]

hi shawn,

I DID IT!!!! I have been struggling lately with shanking my wedges. Everything I tried seemed to make it worse to the point that I was getting very inconsistent with every club in the bag. Finally I went back to basics and it turns out that my grip (especially the left hand) had migrated counter clockwise; . Now your effortless momentum can actually work properly. Take home lesson: even if you have been playing a long time go back to basics that you might take for granted.

[clemshaw]

Great self discovery! They are the best!

Shawn

[rahickey002]

If your "steady straight swing" were based on good solid,sound principles,as is being taught here, it would not have crumpled so easily.

[dkemp925]

That is more than a little harsh and makes no sense. If you were so happy with your swing and the resulting shots why change? As for making money I haven't seen anyone else out there that gives away 120 some odd lessons from putting to driving and everything in between.

IMO if it's not working for you go back to what you were doing or take what you like from clemshaw and move on.

[anun1982]

I used to have a nice, steady straight swing that produced nice steady straight shots until I filled my head full of all this nonsense. Now my swings sucks!

[clemshaw]

Hey Man; number 1, keep the language clean as I have kids here watching, so I removed your other comment; number 2, if your swing isn't broken, then don't fix it; sounds like you are mad at the world and looking for a place to vent...you can take it elsewhere! Shawn

[viola128]

hi Shawn,

thanks again for a wonderful lesson. I do shank the ball quite a bit when under pressure. I like the way your explains it.

[clemshaw]

I want you to have a look at the "golf Pro Lesson be a solid ball striker" and "tilted spiral part 1, 2 and especially 3"

Your perception of the target is a major issue when it comes to shanking; when doing this, maintain a super steady head and let the body swivel around it with oily ease to not dislodge it from it's position against the left side; I am doing another video about this new key information that will take the shanks away permanently! Shawn

[dkemp925]

Shawn, I found your videos and website a few weeks ago and think you have really put together an excellent way to teach golf. If only I had found you years ago. My question is this: the last year I have struggled with shanking only my wedges and only on occasion but often enough to make me crazy!!! This never occurs with your perpetual motion drill but now how to transition to the static swing. A forward press doesn't seem to quite make it. I am 6'4" and play to a 10 but not when I am shanking.

[clemshaw]

See above answer dkemp!

Shawn

[dkemp925]

Hi Shawn, I love your tilted spiral videos they are brilliant, I will take another look at the solid ball striker. I still am perplexed why I do not shank the wedge in the perpetual motion drill even if I only use it as a single cycle like a practice swing but when I start with just a forward press I sometimes shank the wedges.

Keep up the great work I have encouraged my kids and all my golfing buddies to take a look at your lessons.

[thelukos]

Thanks for the reply Shawn, I'll take a look at those videos. I dont understand how, even though I'm trying to keep the same swing thoughts as when I'm playing decent golf I'm getting totally different results. I've been playing to Around handicap 13, maybe lower but right now I cant hit the ball with the clubface! Very disheartening. I dont want to give this game up but I think I'll have to!

[clemshaw]

No worries; I have a new dvd on this very subject coming out very soon; in the meantime, just have a look at those videos and have fun on the range; Shawn

[thelukos]

Hi Shawn, great work! I am a right-hander,In between playing some decent golf, I go through spells of the dreaded shanks. My local pro says my hips can spin out. They go to the left and behind me on the downswing causing my top half to come forward. I tend to take the club to the left through impact instead of out at the target. I would be very grateful for any tips to help with this because I have found nothing out there! Thnx, Luke

[clemshaw]

One Major point that is overlooked and that I am making a DVD on is target awareness; in the meantime, see the "Golf Pro lesson Tilted Spiral" part 1, 2 and 3; 3 being the most important one to look at!! Maintain that head braced against the left side and BEHIND THE BALL AND STOP TRYING TO FIND THE TARGET AND LET THE SWING GO WHERE IT WANTS TO GO! When the head moves forward ever so slightly in the downswing, here comes the Shankapotomous! :) Shawn

[DirtyVegas1975]

Hi Shawn, I dont so much suffer with the hosel shank. More the very open face , or pull to the left. Any tips on the video / drill to look at. The feeling I get is that when I get to the top of the backswing all feels fine but downswing i feel quite armsy and upper body movement taking over. thxs Lawrence

[clemshaw]

Hey Lawrence! See the answer I just gave "thelukos" above;

I look for my new DVD coming up soon that will help you BIG TIME!

Shawn

[conconkelly16]

Hey shawn im 16 and im 6ft 4 and recently after i bought a new set of Mizuno mx-100s i started shanking the ball. I got the clubs lengthened by an inch and a half so i just thought that was the prob. Any tips for me? I play off 10 btw. Thank You

[clemshaw]

The extra length definitely changes the feel; and the new clubs change the feel; did you try them before buying them the way I describe in my "Golf Pro Lesson How to choose your irons" part 1 and 2?

Shawn

[toppsluver]

im 14 and im 6 foot. i hae long legs, and when i try to swing, my right knee naturally falls. i went to the range and shanked a whole large bucket of range balls? any tips, i would appreciate

[clemshaw]

Hey Toppsluver!

You need to get a hold of my dvd series first and foremost; in the meantime, see the "Golf pro lesson feet together drill" and the "Golf Pro Lesson one leg swing no weightshift"; then check out "golf Pro Lesson leg and footwork"; have fun with it!

Shawn

[Discodwill]

Thx for your tips, I've been working on swinging more around my body and I've started shanking the ball. I think your third set of tips @ 05:47 are for me and my swing flaw. Because my backswing is really flat like you described so I think I'm getting stuck. Thx for the advice!

[clemshaw]

Yes, another great video for this is the "Golf Pro Lesson tilted spiral" where you will see how the speed picks up under the chest and in front of the body; this image will help a lot; combine this with the "golf pro lesson power sources" video;

Shawn

[nizza594]

Shawn, I just wanted to say, your a superb teacher. I've learnt so much from watching your videos on youtube, so a big thanks to you, and please keep them coming!

[KxWaYnE]

Hey Shawn! Thanks for the tips, and I just wanted to say that I almost cured my shanks. Now I only do it occasionally. I'm hoping to get rid of it completely in the next week, I know it wouldn't go away in only a day, because old habits keep coming. Now my only problem is I hit it ridiculously high, and I still it it somewhat towards the heel but it's not really enough to shank it. Thanks...Adam

[clemshaw]

See the "golf pro lesson weak grip or strong grip" for this; you will see that with the strong grip, you will lead much more naturally with the hands without feeling like you need to square the club which will keep you flowing through the ball!

Shawn

[KxWaYnE]

Shawn, I've still been shanking literally half of my shots... I really don't understand, people tell me that I "dip" a lot on my downswing upon impact..I'm confused :(

[clemshaw]

I sympathize with you on this one;

Have a look at my "Golf Pro Lesson bridging the flat wrist with hinged wrist" video; I have a feeling this will kill your shanks once and for all...Let me know how you do with the machete!

Shawn

[mjkupiai]

Shawn, thaks for the great lessons!

I just cured my shanks and wanted to share with you. My shanks started when I changed to interlock grip. Major problem was that I crossed my finger all the way. I shanked like every shot, with every kind of body motion. Now I fixed my grip and shanks are long gone. My point is that faulty grip cause shanks --> shankers, check your grip.

[clemshaw]

Great point and comment!

I talk about this in my DVD in the short circuit section; when the grip is not right or comes apart in the swing, there is a short circuit that causes you to fear missing the ball and therefore defaults you to the ball instead of swinging through it... Great comment; Thanks! Shawn

[webbum]

How do you dip when you hit the ball and 'not' drive your club into the ground?

[clemshaw]

Because I am swinging THROUGH THE BALL AND NOT AT THE BALL; and it is not a dip...what you saw Tiger do was a dip and then a big stand up off the heels through impact; you will see that mine is a brace against the left side; the head is just the top of the body...if you see the backswing, you will notice that my head comes up a bit as a result of a complete turn,then goes back down as a result of a complete brace...Thanks for the question and observation! Shawn

[GUNman3893]

Your videos are awesome helped me out a lot. Just wondering if you have any videos that focus on setting the grip and the grip pressure. Thanks

[clemshaw]

Of course!

"Golf Pro Lesson Grip 2 wrist hinge"

"Golf Pro Lesson Proper Grip" and my DVD has both and more! Shawn

[welshmangolf21]

Shawn, I had exactly the same problem as cjad2515 with S&T. Great iron shots, but many shanks with the wedge. The feeling is spinning from the top. Is it possible that my top half is just out of sync?

[clemshaw]

Sounds like you are just too flat with the wedge; I just uploaded a very cool video called" Zen Ball Bearings and Sockets" which I demonstrate with the wedge; it should help sync you up very well! Shawn

[3a57a3a3]

Clearly the way i've suggested helping people with the shanks, and the way in which i fixed mine, has ruffled you. I admit it's radically different, perhaps 'too simple' but there is often resistance to other ways of looking at things. Sorry to have suggested an alternative.

Keep up the great work!

[3a57a3a3]

Wow, soooo much info.

How bout this.

Practice shanking and hitting it off the toe!!

Once you feel the difference tween the 2 shots, you will have greater awareness of the face.

A shank is caused from a clubface that is further away from you than it should be at impact. You dont need to know why, just practice doing both...Im ready to be shot down!!!

[clemshaw]

When you give on average 75 lessons a week, and see how many ways golfers shank, you would completely change your tune; when you let the ball become your target, like what you describe here, there is no chance to get better; you obviously have your own views and are entitled to them but you will not gain any friends here that way so kindly refrain from any more negativity;

Thanks, Shawn

[obaaaaaaaaamaaaaaaaa]

This video helped me a lot.

In trying to swing DOWN on the ball more, I ended up with a bad case of the shanks.

Apparently, I ended up shifting too much onto the fronts of my feet AND abbreviated my shoulder turn. After distributing my weight more evenly across the heels/pads of my feet, and moving my left shoulder over my right leg in the backswing, I'm OK again.

I love that you teach an understanding of the swing, instead of giving discrete bits of advice. Keep up the great work, man:)

[GUNman3893]

great video helped me out alot!

[josh3564]

hey i see that your helping people on your comments i took a look at your videos but still slice and continue to hit irons fat and thin i think it might be because my head is bobing to much or im coming up and out of my shot (out to in) can you take a look at my swing thanks in advance

[clemshaw]

Hey Josh;

It is not because of your head; it is because your focus is too much on the ball and not through the ball to a target which is the major cause of bottoming out before the ball; try my "one Leg Drill", combined with the "Through the ball" videos to start and see if it still happens; then once you have perfected that, go to the "Sequence Power Drills" and the "Downswing Weightshift" videos to bring things back to 2 feet...see also "One Leg Back to 2"...Shawn

[dmcdonnell]

Well I used to slice the ball really badly but over the last 6 months Ive persisted with the feet together drill and I also bought the dvd. And you know what, it WORKS! Im still not a great golfer but I hit a lot more straight shots and my bad shots can go either left or right. I only go to the range once or twice a week, stick at it.

[mattwinchester1]

Shawn, I am a 10 handicap. I have fought the shanks on/off for 2 yrs. I have watched your videos and still can't get rid of them this time. I had a lesson and the pro split my hands on the shaft and told me I wasn't firing my hips through the ball and an upside down range bucket 2 inches from the ball and told me not to hit it. This drill did help me hit it straight but I try a normal swing I shank it with my irons. I am hitting my woods great. PLEASE HELP with any comments or drills!!

[clemshaw]

OK; help me out here with some feedback for your next session on the range; can you please hit a few shots with the feet together drill and the one leg drill; about 20 practice swings each before you start hitting balls and stay with the theme in the videos ( they are all on the "you tube Shawn" page of my website) and get back to me with which one did the trick; hang in there dude! Shawn

[clemshaw]

Hey Matt; Just uploaded a video that will help; have a look at "Top 25 Golf Pro Lesson Posture Integrity" and let me know;

Shawn

[mattwinchester1]

I think I may be getting somewhere & got some advice. I had a guy look @ my swing that has been playing for yrs and he said 3 things: 1 Taking to long of a swing 2 Not keeping the weight on the inside of my back foot therefore I am swaying back a little in my backswing. 3 Letting my right hand/side dominate my swing. I am now hitting my irons well at about 50-75% but if I start hitting woods with it I start shanking the irons again. I am working on uploading my swing, any advice on his comments?

[clemshaw]

OK; getting the picture now...Have a look at my "leverage Power" and "Stretch to a better Hip Turn", and "Hogan Power Drill" videos to stabilize your backswing; then it is just a matter of bracing the downswing before the arms come down with "Sequence power drills" and "Downswing Weightshift" ;

Shawn

[mattwinchester1]

Shawn, The guy that tried to help me gave me a momentus weight golf iron. I watched the video that came with it and the pro on there said that you want to feel as if in the start of your downswing that you are throwing your right hand at the ball. He said I know this seems like you would come over the top but the club would not let you. What do you think about the approach of throwing your right hand at the ball in downswing? I should have a video up tomorrow afternoon. THANKS FOR THE HELP!!

[clemshaw]

Any advice that says to focus on the ball and throwing at the ball is sending the wrong message; the ball is not the target!

It gets collected by the momentum of the swing and delivered to the real target out there on the golf course! Go to the video "Golf Swing Medicine" where I show the essence of the swing with a medicine ball and you can mimic this with your momentus club...Shawn

[DieHardCubsFan5]

Hey Shawn,

I usually don't have a problem slicing with my irons as I do with my woods and my driver. I try to do everything right while hitting my woods and I still slice it. Sometimes it is a bad slice, and sometimes it is only a very small slice. Also, I am 15 and I have adult clubs so I am not quite tall enough for them. Is this the problem? So, I was just wondering if you could give me some tips. Thanks, DieHardCubsFan5

[sghowie]

Hi Shawn,

i've been having major problems with shanking half pitches with wedges,i was initially to close to ball and swinging too flat, i've sorted that but still end up shanking only on half shots, any tips

[clemshaw]

Yes; have a look at the video from my watchdog blog on Sergio's Lag called "Get some Lag!"; next; have a look at the "chip yips" and the "arms falling down plane" videos;

They are all on the "you tube Shawn" page of my website...

Shawn

[athleticguy08]

thanks for all the valuable information shawn. Im curious though if anyone here has ever tried the swing jacket. I need to be able to actually feel the correct swing then this information can be more helpful for me. Has anyone have any experience with the swing jacket? thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated. thank you

[clemshaw]

I would like some feedback on this one as well! :)

Shawn

[qwikksand]

Fantastic video! Do you know if these are the same things that cause short game shanks? Or is something else going on with pitching/chipping shanking?

[lagwagon504]

When I start hitting some shanks Its always because I am very laid off at the top. THe butt of my club points way outside the target line.

[Vilo176]

Another technic yet eloquent video. Really good job.

By the way, have you planed to make a video for "Toe Shooters" ?

[putney1968]

My old, bad swing was an arm swing without turning my shoulders, resulting in slices, pulls and shanks. Thanks to watching your videos, I have been able to turn my hips and shoulders properly and my ball striking has improved 100%. You are a great teacher, thanks a million!

[itubeutude]

Good vid. Shanks alot shawn.

[Creepytouch]

Great vid, thanks alot Shawn

[loftboy2000]

Shawn, so if I concentrate on keeping my hands in front of me in the backswing, the wrist hinge will happen naturally as long as the width is there ? Is this the same as pointing the butt end of the club down to the target line on the backswing ?

[clemshaw]

You kind of have the idea; the "momentum toss" part 1 and 2 as well as the "takeaway and starting swing" videos show the best way to get the arms to do what you want them to do; when you abandon the arms and club to gravity, you achieve a much better swing plane. The "swing Plane" video, where I show my perpetual motion drill will help seal the deal for you; Shawn

[cjad2515]

Hi Shawn, I just recently ( last week) change to S&T swing in order to gain some consistency. I am shanking the ball a lot.I hope this video will help me through the weekend, what is your opinion on stack and tilt?, thanks for answering. Carlos from Ecuador.

[clemshaw]

Hi Carlos and thanks for your email;

You will see why when you see the video response I did on them in "Stacked and Balanced"; you will also get a deeper understanding when you see the "Tiger's Head Drop" video too; all my vids are on my website's "you tube Shawn" page; Thanks for your comment!

Shawn