Shanking Wedges? Even the Pros Do It – 3 Tips to Make Sure It Doesn’t Happen

If you watched the FedEx Cup finals, you might remember Scottie Scheffler’s surprising shank out of the bunker on the eighth hole. While it was a rare moment, it reminded us all that even the pros are human. The shanked bunker or wedge shot is likely something you’ve encountered far too often in your own game. If wedge shanks are ruining your scorecard, you’re not alone. Here are three simple tips to ensure you get rid of the shanks for good.

Maintain a more vertical swing path

One of the main causes of a shanked wedge is swinging the club too flat. For many players, this feels and looks like a club that comes inside as the very first move away from the ball. Once the club is that far inside, it is difficult to get it back on plane.

This exaggerated out-to-in path on the downswing leaves the hosel as the first point of contact instead of the clubface.

The result is an ugly shank.

You’ll notice this not just in bunker shots but with any wedge shots around the green. Players have a tendency to do it more often when they are taking a half swing.

How to fix

To fix the issue, focus on creating a more upright or vertical swing path on these shorter shots. You’ll picture the club moving more up and down rather than around. This move won’t be great for full swing shots with a larger body turn but for the short ones it works quite well.

With a more vertical swing path, the chance of you striking the clubface instead of the hosel is greatly improved.

Drill to try

If you want a thought to help you straighten out this concept, think about swinging a golf club with a wall behind you. You’ll hit the wall if you take the club back too far inside as your first move. You can also put a headcover or alignment stick on that inside path and ensure you don’t let the club hit it.

For golfers who shank their wedges often, the vertical motion may feel extreme at first. Practice it on the range and then take it to the course with you.

Correct stance and setup

Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash

A poor setup is a bigger problem than most amateur golfers like to believe. With shanked wedges, we often see golfers who have their hands too close to their body with an upright stance. 

The problem with crowding the ball is that you’ll feel like you can’t rotate the clubhead to square through impact. There just isn’t enough room. With the correct stance, you can swing through the ball with a square clubface.

How to fix

An open stance with your short-game shots is often the best approach. For right-handed players, align your feet a little to the left of your target. The ball will feel like it’s in the middle or slightly forward in your stance.

Keep some weight on the lead foot and your hands in line with the golf ball. Don’t push your hands too far ahead.

Now take some practice swings and make sure you have enough room to swing and rotate the club.

You’ll want to avoid reaching for the ball as this can create other problems. Even the pros are close to the ball when hitting short-game shots but they always have room to swing and rotate the clubface.

Drill to try

While you are working on your distance from the ball, try to imagine your hands being directly under your chin. You’ll have a little space between your legs but you won’t be reaching for the ball either. When practicing, make sure you step away from the ball each time so you can learn to naturally get yourself into the correct spot when on the course.

Maintain good balance and body movement

Shanked wedge shots can also result from poor balance or a lack of body incorporation into the short game. When your body doesn’t rotate properly and you rely on your arms and hands, the club can move off its intended path.

The biggest issue you’ll find with poor body movement and shanking wedges is inconsistency. It won’t be just the shanks. You’ll hit a shot left, one right, chunk it, etc. Incorporate the body and this inconsistency will go away. 

How to fix

Focus on staying more connected throughout the swing. Your shoulders should rotate and allow your arms, hands and body to move together. You can still keep your weight slightly forward and stay centered. To avoid shanking, make sure you incorporate some body rotation.

Drill to try

Instead of a drill for this one, try taking some swings with The Connector. It is a training aid that keeps your hands and arms connected to the upper body as you practice. You can use this for full-swing shots but it works well around the greens to fix shanks. 

When working with The Connector, you should also have an easier time compressing the ball and making clean contact. Start with a pitching or sand wedge and then experiment with it throughout your game.

Final thoughts

When you are worried about the shank, you don’t swing with the same confidence. Use these tips and never let the thought of a shanked wedge even cross your mind again.

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