David Leadbetter

Don’t let one bad shot become an epidemic

Curing the shanks.

Hitting just one shank can put fear in your mind that another’s on its way, and that kills your confidence. They often happen because your hands are farther away from your body at impact than they were at address, causing the club to strike the ball off the hosel. Fear not the shanks. Use these steps to cure them. David Leadbetter operates 34 golf academies worldwide.

1. CHILL OUT

Anxiety from shanking leads to a lot of tension in the forearms and hands. So before you swing again, be sure to lighten your grip pressure and relax your arms. If you don’t, you won’t be able to swing the club smoothly.

2. WATCH YOUR TOES

If you stand too far from the ball, you’ll shift your weight out to your toes, and that can force the club farther from you when you swing. Try standing a little closer to the ball and turning your toes upward so the weight shifts back toward your heels.

3. STAY BACK

When you hit your next shot, maintain the “toes up” feel. Losing your balance is one of the main causes of the shanks. That’s why it’s important to keep your weight toward the back portion of the feet. You have to swing in control.

4. YELL ‘FORE!’

Just kidding! Your final thought should be to feel as if you swing the handle of the club in closer to your legs through impact. This helps slot the club on the right path and encourages centerface contact. Do this and kiss your shanks goodbye.