Why am I shanking my golf ball when playing with my iron all of a sudden?

Question

Why am I shanking my golf ball when playing with my iron all of a sudden?

Answer 1

The shank is a disaster shot the can effect you ability to commit on shots an mess with your mind. This shot doesn't  have to make you quit the game let me help you get back on track. The 2 causes of the shank are having a swing that's to flat and a approach into the the ball that's way from the inside this is less common. The most common cause is a approach into the ball that's way from the outside. If you often pull you wedges on full swings then shank them sometimes this is why. The cures is simple nothing more than a shoebox! Place the ball next to it about 2 inches from the box and practice its impossible to shank a swing way from the outside wont have a chance ti hit the heel because it will hit the box and a swing that's extreme from the inside will also hit the box. Make sure your not standing to close to ball and make some chip,full and 3/4 swings this will cure you I guarantee it!

Answer 2

There are many reasons why you shank. Most of the time shaking only happens occasionally from a bad swing or bad stance.  But if you shank CONSISTENTLY with your irons where you weren't before, check (1) how far or close are you standing to the ball, (2) whether your setup spot is where your club face ended up on the downswing.   If you are standing closer to the ball than before, it is possible your normal swing path is actually farther away from your body then your setup spot.  Also if you've changed  your swing thought to 'hit down' on the ball, you might be lowering your upper body (or head) to try the 'hit down and take divot' approach, which will move your whole upper body FORWARD, causing the club shaft to hit the ball instead of the club face.  Bottomline, shanking is a result of a swing that end up passing the ball at a different spot than your setup.

Answer 3

the absolute most important thing to prevent a shank is to make sure that the you line up the middle of the club with the ball, and when making your swing hit the ball with the MIDDLE of the clubface. What happens is that when you are too close to the ball, you tend to hit the ball with the hosel of the club on the downswing, which results in the ball going way right, try this when you have time and ou will see what happens when you hit the ball with the hosel. Also if your hitting your irons such as the 5,6,7,8,9. make sure the clubface is not open, it should be square against the ball.

Answer 4

Possibilities: You are standing too close to the ball and hitting it off the hosel: You are reaching for the ball and your swing plane has changed: Your right hand( if you are a rightie) is dominating the swing. The latter is usually the reason for a shank and we never utter that word on the course.

Answer 5

It's like that movie Tin Cup.  It's all in your head.  You are thinking too much....  

The Golf Teaching pro version:

Shanking is caused by swinging steep angle (high).  And swinging from the outside of the plane.  Swing your club to the back of your shoulder instead of the back of your head.