Cure the Inglorious Shank

photo credit: USACE Europe District   Nothing is more damaging to a golfers psyche than the shank shot.  A shanked shot can destroy your confidence, in fact, it can act like a virus that destroys a computer.  There grows an inherent fear that it will happen again and again.  If you shank more than a couple of shots in any one round seek an experienced instructor immediately. 

To avoid a shank, it seems natural to stand farther away from the ball which is the opposite of what you should do.  Stand closer to the ball and make sure that you keep both elbows close to the body.  Shanking is the result of hitting the ball with the housel of the club which makes the ball squirt right (right handers).