The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
Address Posture / Stance at AddressShank (shank) Irons Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 8 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Space Between the Body and the Ball: How to Prevent a Shank

Giles Gill boils down the shank to one concept: space. Standing too close to the ball, the right knee moving forward, the right arm extending too early—in each case, the clubhead hits the ball from the side. Three causes, three drills.

▶
GG
Giles Gill Golf · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

12 minSame problemHitting Your Fairway Wood: Start with Your StanceDanny Maude · Beginner / Intermediate14 minSame problemBryson DeChambeau's Swing: Grip, Triangle, RotationBryson DeChambeau · Beginner / Intermediate9 minSame problemForearms aligned with the fairway wood: consistent contactDanny Maude · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

A shank is contact with the club collar instead of the center of the clubface. Giles Gill attributes this to the space between the body and the ball, both at address and during the swing. The first and most common cause is a incorrect address, standing too close, weight on the heels, armpits too far back. The solution: place a stick under the arch of the foot, shift your weight until it’s evenly distributed between your heels and toes, then check that the line from your armpits to your knees to the front of your foot is aligned.

Second cause: the back leg pushing toward the ball On the downhill, lift your heel early and push your hips forward. Your right knee should move toward your left knee, and then your foot should roll. Third cause: the right arm extending too early. Upon impact, it remains bent and only straightens after the ball, just like when you throw a ball by hand.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. If you don't have a ball, place a stick under the arch of your feet and rock back and forth until your weight is evenly distributed between the front and back.
  2. Hold the club against your armpits: it should just graze the front of your knees and rest on the ball of your foot.
  3. Let your arms hang down, take your grip, and mark where the clubhead lands: that's where the ball will go.
  4. Place a stick about one clubhead's width outside your right knee, at the top of your shin.
  5. Strike without touching the wand: bring your right knee toward your left knee, then roll your foot.
  6. Tuck a cover under your right arm and do half and three-quarter swings without letting it fall.

Key Takeaways

A shank is caused by a lack of space between the body and the ball.
At the address, the weight is distributed between the heels and the toes.
The line from the armpits to the knees to the front of the foot should be vertical.
On the downswing, the right knee moves toward the left knee; it doesn't move toward the ball.
The right arm is still bent at impact and extends after the ball.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Standing too close to the ball, weight on the heels.
  • Have your armpits behind your toes.
  • Lift your right heel too early and push your hips toward the ball.
  • Extend your right arm before impact.
  • Practice the full swing before you've gotten a feel for the half-swing.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Balance Exercise with a Stick Under Your Feet
  2. Splint near the right knee
  3. Cover under the right arm, half-swing
  4. Throw a ball with your right hand to test your right arm

Your Questions

How can I make sure I'm not too close to the ball?

Giles Gill holds the club against his armpits: it should just graze the front of his knees and rest on the ball of his foot, near the tips of his laces. If your armpits are too far back, you're standing too close.

Where should I place the rod for the rear leg?

About one clubhead width from the right knee, at the top of the shin. If your knee moves toward the ball as you swing down, you'll hit it.

Should my right arm be straight at impact?

No. It’s still bent at impact and extends after the ball is hit. Throw a ball with your left hand behind your back: if your arm extends too early, the ball will fall short of the target.

Why is there a cover under the right arm?

If you extend your right arm too early, the cover will fall off. Practice half and three-quarter swings while keeping it in place.

Learn More

All videos on “Stance / Address Posture” →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Shank” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you

Video posted on YouTube by its creator. Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros