Shanking Chip Shots

by Louis Esselen

I was asked the other day, how to stop shanking chip shots.

The answer is to pay attention to the path your club head is swinging on. Shanking is caused by the ball contacting the hosel of the club and not the club face.

***Here is a good tip***
Place 2 shafts parallel to each other a little wider than your club head, place a ball in the middle of these shafts.

Take up your address position with the feet close to each other, ball position favouring the right foot for a right handed player(chipping does not need a wide stance!)

Practice taking short slow back swings, keeping the club head inside the shafts. The club head should swing back slightly inside the outside shaft you have placed on the ground.

To ensure this happens keep the hands quite, use the arms and shoulders for this action.

Alternately, address the ball in the heel or the hosel and swing back slowly. This should automatically help you to bring the club back to the ball closer to your body, creating the correct "loop" for solid contact.

A good hint here is to keep the right elbow close to your side throughout the stroke.