Have you ever shanked a golf ball? You also know it as a hosel rocket! I can tell you that it is not fun and very disconcerting for a player of my level. However, no matter your skill level, it happens. All I know is that when it does, I stand is disbelief and look at the club as if it is its fault. But what happens if hit happens twice on the same hole?

As you can see, even professionals shank the ball!

Well, I know exactly what the pros feel after their shot times 100. Yup, I actually shanked the ball twice on the 13th hole at Osprey Links last year. It was in at the beginning of the season and I was playing with ball position. I was trying to play the ball further back in my stance in attempts to apply more spin on the ball during approach shots.

I hit my 3 wood off the tee and was short left of the big rock on the right. I had a 6 or 7 iron into the green and decided to hit an easy 6 to an uphill green. I placed it back in my stance and did not fully swing at the ball and shanked my ball off the rock! I watched it bounce very high in the air, but landed 20 yards in front of the rock about 130 yards from the green.

Laughing at myself, I thanked the golfing Gods for my good fortune and pulled my 9 iron. Playing it back in my stance again, I shanked (again) my ball into the woods to the right at the far in of the picture above. Needless to say I was in total shock at this point. I hit a provisional because my ball was in the woods. Good thing I did because we did not find my ball.

After a smooth two putt I walked off the 13th hole par 4 with a hockey stick. (a score of 7) It could easily have been much worse. After taking a few seconds to catch my breath, I decided to go back to my old ball position and save trying to add more spin on the ball for the practice area.

I can tell you that shanking two balls back to back is tough on the ego and mental attitude. Fortunately on my next approach shot I was able to recover. I have never shanked any ball back to back at any other time in my career. If you are wondering, it is not something I would ever recommend you trying.

Shanking a ball happens. What was the worse shank you ever made?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!