CaptJDL722, thank you for your question
The dreaded shank, ewwww; just the sound of that word gives a chill to any golfers spine, but there are some simple ways to relieve the even the worst cases.
First, let#%92s make sure that you grip pressure is consistent through the entire swing. We don#%92t want to grip the club too hard or re-grip the club during the downswing, be consistent.
Next, make sure that we set up to ball the same distance from the ball every time. Since you have said you are hitting close to the hosel and some off the toe, it sounds as if you might be making some compensation in this area trying to find a good distance from the ball at set up. Too close or too far away can lead to your impact woes. I like to always let the arms hang naturally from the shoulder sockets and have about a fist or fist and a half distance between the butt end of the club and the body. It will ensure that you are not too close to the ball and if the arms are hanging rather than reaching or pulling or getting to far way from the ball. This will help to set up the same every time. A lot of my students like to address the ball like there is an imaginary ball just inside the actual ball, then slide the club up to the ball you are about to hit. Comfort and consistency in the set up position, is very important.
Don#%92t get to steep on the back swing. Sometimes if get to steep on our move away or take the club to the outside it can lead to an over the top move on the way down with the hosel leading into impact. Start with a smoother and rounder back swing so we can set the club properly at the top of the swing and give us a better opportunity to create a proper swing path.
Weight transfer is critical. We need to make sure your weight is being properly transferred through your swing. At address, make sure you are not on your toes or your weight is to far forward, we need to feel centered and balanced with the weight in the middle of our feet or just slightly to the balls of the feet, but for you right now, I would suggest a bit more in the center. I always go back to the baseball swing to feel good weight transfer, with the load to the right on the back swing and the weight transferring back to the left side, through the middle of the left foot and then finishing on the left heal and side of foot at the finish. Look at some swings of Nick Faldo and you will begin to see the fantastic transfer of weight during the swing. It never gets to the toes and he always stays in balance.
Now that we have looked at some problem areas, we can begin to work on a drill for consistent impact. One of my favorites is the shoe box drill. You may have heard this done many ways before, but it is my favorite for improving a consistent strike on the ball if you have the shank#%92s or are inconsistent where the ball catches the club face.
Grab an old shoe box, any size will do and stuff it with some packing material or tissue. Then tape it up tight, we don#%92t want a mess on the range and you will see why.
Take your new improved set up position to a practice ball then step away and grab your shoe box. I want you to place the shoe box, parallel to your target line just outside the ball. It should be fairly close, but at a distance away from the ball so you can line up your ball in the center of the club face. At first you may want to place the shoe box about an inch or two away from the ball to give yourself some space to work.
Next, set back up to the ball. I know, the shoe box looks too close and very intimidating, but it will help force us to create a new impact area, because we don#%92t want to hit that box. That why taped it up tight, if you hit the box, it can get messy. Make some swings and make sure not to hit the box, as you do this drill you will begin to feel a different move into the ball and it will begin to improve. I have always liked this drill because you gain so much confidence once you get the hang of the new positions. Vijay Singh does a similar drill with a water bottle.
It will take some time, but you will see big time improvement, just keep at it. I know it#%92s a bit hard to understand from text, so if you need further assistance I will be here. Try these few things and the box drill and I know you will see a difference.
T2G Pro