There are many words that should never be said on the the golf course. Many are hissed under my breath, but there is one word I never use and I am not sure I can repeat it in this article either. It is a word I avoid at all costs because I do not want to empower it to creep into my mind. I need to focus on the positive aspects of my golf game to continue to move forward.

As a seasoned golfer, my swing if grooved fairly well. I have very few swing thoughts during the actual execution of the stroke and my expectations for results is of a high standard. So, when this word that shall not be spoke pops into my game (rarely), I am shocked and mortified that it happens. It is like the whole world flashes before my eyes. Okay, this is a bit mellow dramatic, but I think most single digit handicappers feel the same way!

Well, the worse thing is that this silent word of doom popped into my game twice in a row in 2018 on the 13th hole at Osprey Links! You can read about in in my article called “Sh-nking a Golf Ball“. Before then, it was 2016 that the dreaded incident happen for the first time in many many years. I think that by talking about it from time to time, its voodoo magic slowly grows and when strong enough shows up at the most inopportune time!

Okay, I think I have beat around the bush enough. The shanks are something I rarely see. I have enough confidence in my game that this word does not really scare me and I know when I have increased the chances of making a poor stroke. It generally happens when I put the ball too far back in my stance that I do not have time enough to roll my wrists. As such, the hosel leads into the ball and I jamb my contact. The result is that my ball ends in the woods and I am flabbergasted.

Shanks are not a real problem for me, but they might be for you. I thought this topic would a good one for the off-season. However, I generally do not look for a fix for the shanks, but if I was, this Butch Harmon video would sure help:

Fixing challenges in our golf swing is always difficult. Fixing the shanks is very troubling and challenging. My recommendation is that is the shanks persists, then seek out your local pro. I think they would be the best resource to set you on your journey better golf.

Have you have had a case of the shanks?

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