The shank

The situation

The ball leaves low and sharp to the right, with a click that feels nothing like a groove. You did not curve it. You met it on the hosel, where the shaft meets the head. It shows up on irons, and it loves a tight hold and a body that leans toward the ball.

The fix

1. 01
   Aim the middle of the face, and give yourself room Set up so the center of the face is what points at the ball. Stand far enough that you are not crowding it. A finger of space is the idea. Setup covers the bend from the hips. If you are falling toward the ball, you are too close.
2. 02
   Soften the hold to a 4 A tight grip throws the hosel out at the ball. The number and the three-finger hold are on grip pressure. Do not fight a shank by squeezing harder.
3. 03
   Keep the weight centered The shank often appears when you lunge toward the ball on the way down. Feel the trail hip stay back while the chest turns. You are not backing away from the ball. You are refusing to dive at it.
4. 04
   Look at the inside half of the ball That is the half closer to you. Swing so the face covers that spot. Looking at the outside of the ball encourages the neck to get there first.
5. 05
   Shorten the club and the swing until the grooves hit A shorter club, a shorter swing, one groove strike. Then add length back. If it only happens on chips, use a narrow stance, the ball at center, and quiet hands. That is the chip. If the ball is also too far forward, fix ball position in the same session.