What is a shank in golf?

Definition

One of golf's most dreaded mis-hits, where the ball is struck with the hosel (neck) of the club rather than the face, typically sending the ball sharply to the right at a severe angle. Shanks are often caused by standing too close to the ball, improper weight shift, or swinging too much from inside-out. The shank is particularly feared because it can become a mental and technical issue that persists once it begins occurring. Recovering from shanks typically requires fundamental swing adjustments, proper setup position, and often professional instruction to identify and correct the root causes.