Today we tackle the shaft – golf’s most feared mishit. That horrible Hosel rocket that sends your ball sideways, leaving you staring at your club in disbelief. It’s frustrating, humiliating and somehow, in retrospect, a bit funny – although you’ll probably have to take a few deep breaths and count to ten silently before you can laugh.
Here’s the good news: Shaft has a surprisingly well-understood cause, and there are proven ways to prevent it. So the next time the dreaded “shanks” strike, come back to this guide – you might just save yourself some frustration (and a few golf balls).
Behind the Gulf Shank
What it is:
A shaft is created when the ball makes contact with the hosel, the part of the club where the shaft meets the club head.
It doesn’t matter whether your clubface is open, closed or square at impact. A ball hit on the Hosel usually shoots almost instantly to the right (or left, if you’re left-handed), with little to no height and almost no distance.
How it happens:
To hit the ball on the Hosel, your swing path is usually off: too far from the inside or too far over the top. For most amateur golfers, it’s the latter. If you find yourself cutting into the ball often, chances are you’re going over the top.
On the other hand, if your shots tend to hook, you’re probably swinging from the inside.
The key takeaway: Shanks are caused entirely by the path of your swing, not the angle of your clubface at impact.
How to get rid of it:
If you usually hit the ball well and suddenly throw one away, don’t panic. Step away, clear your mind, and resist the urge to overthink or make immediate adjustments. Chances are it was just an accident – and everyone has those.
However, if shanks occur consistently, there are a few exercises and adjustments that can help:
1. The board exercise
Grab a long cardboard box or a 2×4 (a bat works too, but you don’t want to damage it) and a bucket of balls. Place the board or box on the shooting range with one side pointed directly at your target.
Place a ball about half an inch away from the side of the board closest to you. The goal: to hit the ball without hitting the backboard. If you go over the top you will find it almost impossible. Repeat until you can swing comfortably without hitting the obstacle.
2. Stand a little further back
Simply increasing the distance to the ball in your stance can help. Because it’s a little further away, it’s harder to swing over the top, which reduces the chance of contact with the hose.
3. Rotate the clubface in your backswing
Many golfers who are sensitive to shafts return the club with a closed face. Actively turning the face during your backswing promotes a more natural swing around the body, making it harder to throw or get over the top.
4. Protect your trust
Above all, make sure that the shafts do not affect your self-confidence. Sometimes it can help to take a short break from full swings. Work on your putting, read a golf book, or focus on something else for a day or two. Resetting your mind can make a bigger difference than forcing swing adjustments.
Do you also have trouble with your short game? Check out our expert putting tips for practical advice to sink more putts, boost your confidence around the green and take strokes off your score.
#Golf #shaft #rid