The worst shot in golf next to a complete whiff is the shank. Most golfers will not even mention the word while they are playing for fear of the dreaded hosel fade.

If you understand the causes of the shank, then correcting the problem is much easier.

The two most common causes are swinging inside out on the downswing or swinging over the top of the ball on the downswing.

When you are at the address position, your hands are basically at the position you want at impact. If your hands are coming out toward the ball on the downswing, you will contact the ball on the hosel (where the clubhead and the shaft meet).

If your shoulders are turning at the same time as your hips are turning on the downswing, you will also have a good chance of contacting the ball on the hosel.

A good drill to correct these swing flaws is to get a piece of plastic pipe about three feet long and lay it on the ground on your intended line, about an inch outside the toe of your clubhead. Then practice swinging without hitting the plastic pipe.

After a few swings, try hitting a few balls staying inside the pipe. Perfect this swing drill and your shanks will disappear.