golflesson  

Thanks.
Archie Buie,
Lakeland, FL

A. Thanks for the question, Archie. What you’re talking about is a shank, which occurs when you hit the ball off the club’s heel. A shank results from either a severe in-to-out swing path or an equally exaggerated out-to-in swing path. While standing too close to the ball or maintaining too tight a grip can cause a shank, the most common cause is incorrect weight shift.

Have a friend watch you swing to determine the cause. Then apply the right adjustment. If you’re:

* Standing too close or too far from the ball, work on good posture and alignment. Make sure you settle your weight back on your heels before swinging.

* Shifting your weight incorrectly, curl your toes inside your shoes. Maintain them that way throughout the swing. Or, place a golf ball under the front of each foot. Both adjustments push your weight back on your heels.

* Gripping the club too tight, lighten up on the grip before swinging the club. Waggling the club before swinging loosens your grip.

Finding the cause and applying the right adjustment will eliminate the shanks.