2 Reasons Why You Shank Your Chip Shots (Golf Shanks)

If you are struggling with the dreaded golf shank shot on your chip shots, the fix is probably much easier than you think.

Just by looking at two major culprits for shanking your chip shots will help you not only diagnose the cause of shanking chip shots, but also help you find a solution to this nasty golf shot. Plus a simple chipping drill to help you fix that nasty golf shank shot once and for all!

1. Golf Club handle position - if you have the handle of the club too far forward, you start to expose the heel of the golf club, which could be the reason why you struggle with golf shanks

2. Golf swing motion - if you start to drag the club inside on your takeaway to start your golf backswing, chances are you have struggled with shanking your chip shots. Instead, make sure your golf takeaway starts relatively straight back, and your golf downswing is straight through impact.

Learn how to quickly lower your golf scores:

Are you making one of these 3 Common Chipping Mistakes?

[workinghorse]

I am 9 handicapper. Lately I have been shanking my shots with 60 degree wedge including chipping and pitching. Last Saturday round, I shot 99 with record setting of 7 shanks around the green. Chipping and putting have been my bread and butter for my game. Of course not only lost tons of money to friends but lost my dignity. So came home with indignation of defeat, I searched for the answer. Came up with this video which made sense. After watching it, practiced with my 54 degree wedge in house. (Just empty swing without hitting the ball). Next morning went to my club and practice this chipping swing but I also incorporated the whole swing with this concept. Cha ching... shot 77 with 3 birdies. Had great drive and approach shots. Zero shank. It was a great awakening on not only chipping but my whole swing as well. Much appreciated your instructions

[ibenimages]

This is the answer I’ve been searching for. I’ve been frustrated with this chipping shank without knowing the reason why. The only thing I knew was I hit on the hosel. The remedy, not so much. So thank you for this clue: i center my hand, and make the swing path straight. Voila.. my chipping and pitching shots are back! Thank youuu

[Moe]

The ABSOLUTE best video!!! Thank you!!!!

My iron game is good enough for me to score in the 70s and 80s, but something happened overnight and I couldn't chip at all without the 'shank'. I kept jokingly telling my group that I was just "fooling around" or "trying some things", when in reality, I had 'the yips' and scoring a "6" on easy par 4s.

I feared any shot between 1 - 45 yards.

This video cured me within an hour. Very much appreciated.

[leemccoshen]

That is the absolute BEST solution video I have ever seen!! I have been shanking my chips for years. SO glad you posted this video! I went directly outside to apply these techniques... problem solved. Thanks

[jbiz]

Thanks for Taking the time to discuss this. I shank my 58 degree wedge when I open club up. I haven’t been able to find a good video yet about this until yours now. thank you!

[justiceschenk]

Been golfing for 3 years, just had the best round of my life a couple weeks back (1 over par). Went back to the course a couple days later and for the life of me couldn’t stop shanking the ball with my 56 degree. It’s been 2 weeks now and I’ve honestly stopped going to the course cause it’s not fun to hit the ball 30 degrees right of my target when I get near the green. Just found your video, I’m gonna try this drill and hopefully rediscover my love for the game. Seems like this has worked for most of y’all here. Will keep y’all posted

[milocrispin]

Blimey, this video cured my shank chips after watching up teen others. I took your instructions on the possible causes and found it was my takeaway rotating behind me. After 3 batches of 10 balls I went 70%/30%/0% shanks. 😊. Many thanks for this clear, precise and remarkably short video that actually works.

[VoodooZ]

Wow! Thanks for this.. I did countless searches to fix this issue and somehow I never saw your video. I just spent an hour trying to figure it out in mirrors and stuff and nothing worked.. And when you don't hit many GIRs, having the chipping shanks is a killer!! I just did your drill and I couldn't hit a single shank! Thank you very much. The real test will be on the course tomorrow.. I'll definitely be subscribing!

[davidp.]

5 handicapper that developed shanks. Sometimes on the range I would shank by far the majority of short distance swings-especially lob shots. Started scoring in mid 80's. Watched this video and have had one shank in 7 rounds (I could tell I was way inside on my backswing and hands forward). No more shanks on the driving range. Great information in this video. Awesome results!

[Bluntobject]

I was stymied on why I was shanking Ball after ball after hitting a bunch great at first and then couldn't stop. I was just about to have an aneurysm and I watched this video again, thanks for straightening me out. Plus I'm doing it on the course and now at least I know what I'm doing to correct it.

[gotitans]

It’s tough to find this addressed so I appreciate the video. Not sure if I’m shanking because it feels like it’s coming off the toe but definitely going to try this drill this week and see if it works.

Nothing worse than this creeping into the game. Makes the game unplayable even casually because you know you can’t do anything when you get around the green.

[granty]

Thanks, thanks, thanks and thank you. Exactly my shanking swing of forward press and flip inside. 8, 9 or 10 shanks a round.
Since watching this I've played 2 rounds and nothing approaching a shank. Balls from centre of face.... LIFE SAVER!

[williamlackey]

I walk holes or hit balls most evenings and play once or twice a week. Tonight I focused solely on playing from 100 yards. Took two clubs and a putter and played 4 balls each “round”. I always end with putting drills. I’ve found that having some kind of focus point on my evening walk has helped me become more consistent than just walking 6 or 7 holes. I’m making better contact and have reduced my “bad” shots tremendously by trying to have a game plan during my practice time.

[dereksteel]

Just watched this, as I’ve been shanking whilst practising in the back yard, turns out I was holding club too far forward, now chipping with confidence instead of fear, great video, thanks, I’ve just subscribed

[andrewcole]

I'm playing off 18 so not too many expectations when I play but I've been shanking so much lately I've been throwing away at least 6-7 shots per round. I've just seen this video, gone into the garden and hit 30 shots and not shanked one. I can't believe how simple this fix is. I've been dreading my next game, now I can't wait to play again to try this on the course. Thank you.

[randomtask]

Thanks for the tips. My shanks have got so bad I have been putting from 30 yards from the edge of the green to avoid it happening.

[johnnydough]

First guy to teach this correctly. 👍. Thank you

[John_Wood_]

Great video. My hands had crept too far forward and really struggled with shanks and bunker shots.

[macauley]

Another good tip for anyone that wants it. If you wrist hinge for chip shots ensure you’re wrist hinging correctly (roughly 30-45° angle to the right for right handed golfer) I found myself hinging at a sort of 90° angle and then this causes the club to get behind you. I always had a decent short game and my swing felt the exact same when shanking it so was hard to figure this out, I assure you if you just keep the club head in front of your body the shanks will stop immediately (as demonstrated in this video)

[yaminahakem]

Thank you for this very clear explanation… it has changed my chipping 🙌