The Bucket Exercise to Prevent Shanks: The Imaginary Wall
Imagine a wall just beyond the ball. Eric Cogorno places a driving range bucket a hair’s breadth from the clubhead and explains the three reasons for getting past that wall: weight in the feet, the path of the clubhead, and the finish.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
According to Eric Cogorno, we "shank" when the club head passes through beyond the ball-target line, which introduces the collar to the ball. Its image: a wall between the ball and the target. The clubhead moves upward on the inside, comes back down toward the ball, and moves back out on the inside, in a circle around the body, without ever crossing that wall. The basic exercise: a box or a driving range bucket placed about two fingers from the tip, using an 8-iron and half-swings.
There are three reasons why people cross the wall. The weight that shifts toward the ends On the downswing, this often happens because you’re leaning too much on your heels: you need to start with the ball of your foot and move back toward your left heel. An exaggerated clubhead path—either too high or too low. Finally, the finish: after the lowest point, toward your right thigh, The hands rise and move to the left.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Place a bucket, a box, or a flexible object about two fingers' width from the tip of the club.
- Position yourself so that your armpits are above the front of your foot, with pressure on the tips of your laces.
- Using an 8-iron, take powerful half-swings without touching the bucket.
- As you go downhill, feel your weight shift back to your left heel sooner than usual.
- After the impact, bring your hands up and to the left.
- Gradually increase the length of your swings and your speed, then remove the object.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaning too far back on your heels, with your buttocks too far back.
- Roll onto the balls of your feet as you go downhill.
- Going too far over or too far under.
- Let your hands and the clubhead swing to the right after impact.
- Use a hard object that would break the club: opt for a plastic box or bucket.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- A bucket just two fingers from the tip
- 8-iron, three-quarter swing
- 20 to 30 repetitions, at least three days a week
- Weight on the left heel, hands up and to the left
Your Questions
How far from the ball should the bucket be placed?
Eric Cogorno recommends leaving about two finger widths between the clubhead and the object. He prefers a box or a driving range bucket to a hard object.
Why should I push off with the front of my foot if I'm already moving toward my toes?
Because many golfers who shank the ball set up on their heels, and the brain compensates by shifting toward the toes as they swing down. By starting your swing from the front of your foot, you can shift back toward your left heel.
What does “hands up and to the left” mean?
The hands reach their lowest point near the right thigh. Then, when viewed from the front, they move upward, and when viewed from behind, they move to the left: the clubhead remains inside the wall.
How long should I do this exercise?
He recommends 20 to 30 repetitions, at least three days a week, using an 8-iron with a half-swing, then swinging longer and faster before removing the object.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Eric Cogorno). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.