Irons · Drill
Aim for the Toe to Cure the Shanks
Part of our irons programs for push or pull, shanks, weak contact. Build a program with it
When the ball keeps finding the hosel, aim for the other end. Set up with the ball lined up off the toe of the club. Make small swings and try to hit it on the toe. That pulls your path and balance away from the hosel. After a few swings, your normal strike usually drifts back to the middle. It's a great confidence builder when shanks show up.
The drill
- Stay balanced in the middle of your feet.
- Line the ball up off the toe.
- Make small swings and hit the toe.
- Check strike marks with powder.
- Move back to normal once contact improves.
Why it works
A shank happens when the ball meets the hosel. This usually comes from the hands and body moving toward the ball, or your weight drifting onto your toes, so the clubhead travels outward and the hosel arrives first. When you set the ball off the toe, you have to keep the club path and your balance further back, which moves the strike away from the hosel. A few swings like this reset your feel, so your normal contact returns nearer the center.
Common mistakes
- You let your weight drift toward your toes during the swing.Feel your weight stay in the middle of your feet from setup to finish.
- You stand too close to the ball and then try to hit the toe, so the hosel still gets in the way.Set the ball clearly off the toe at address and keep that distance through the swing.
- You swing too hard too early and lose the small, controlled motion.Stay with small swings until you hit the toe several times in a row.
How you'll know it's working
- You see strike marks on the toe side of the face when you check with powder.
- The ball flies straight or with a slight fade instead of shooting sharply right.
- You finish each swing balanced, with your weight still centered.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Use a short iron, make waist-high swings, and put the ball on a flat, firm lie.
Harder: Move to a mid-iron, lengthen the swing a little, and hit the toe on consecutive swings before returning to normal.
Common questions
Why do I keep shanking my irons?
The hosel is meeting the ball, usually because your weight moves toward your toes or your hands and body move closer to the ball in the downswing. Keeping your balance centered and your distance steady helps.
How long should I do the toe drill?
About 10 minutes is enough. Once you make solid contact more often, go back to your normal setup and check that the strike stays near the center.
