Can a mid handicap golfer make significant improvement by using free training on RU-vid and a few cheap training aids? On this channel we will find out if it's possible and will make note of what content helped (or hurt) the most along the way. Join us if you are an average golfer who loves RU-vid golf content and wonders if it will ever lead to actual progress.
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You’re saying that you you’re not swing that hard, but to me it looks like you’re swinging out of your shoes. Jim states that you shouldn’t swing hard at all and focus on the stillness and staying closed through impact. To me it looks like you are not closed through impact but already in line with the target. Therefore your shots look straight rather than a draw shape?
I am exactly the same as you: RH in everything but golf and baseballl, swing LH and feel like my RH is in control. I enrolled in Jim’s school and find it fantastic. I’m to the point when I hit consistent tight draws with all the short and mid irons and in the learning process for the long irons and hybrid/woods. I used to have an inconsistent swing and sometimes completely lost my swing. With Jim’s method you always have a basis to fall back on and accomplish consistency with a predictable shot path. The secret of being still with weight forward at about 90% is that the bottom of the arc is always at the same point, combined with a swing path that is always inside out (due to the closed setup), a draw is guaranteed. So far, I have lowered my handicap about 5 in a little bit over 2 months.
That is tremendous progress. Well done. It’s funny - so many times I hear that the driver and longer irons are the issue. I wonder what the key is for those.
I did the school for over a year. As tracked by Arcos, my "handicap" per shot type, compared to the year before I joined, were: putting: 18->12 chipping: 10->5 approach: 38->15 (not a typo) long irons: 25->25 hybrids/woods: 15->30 (also not a typo) driver: 14->40 (also not a typo) Overall
True story AND a testament to Jim’s theory of stillness: I’ve been using Jim’s method for a few months and loving it. Couple weeks ago I sustained a lumbar injury that evolved into sciatic pain down my left (lead, I’m a rightie) leg. With no choice, I tried staying still but now having all weight over my right (trail) leg, using the same closed stance with the ball well back at my trail leg. This strange feeling setup of course caused me to swing slower. Well, wouldn’t you know, I hit crispier shots that flew higher with a baby draw, even leaving more perfect divots. As mentioned, a testament to the validity of Jim’s belief in stillness. Where there’s a will…
@@GolfQuestChannel Also interesting is that I must open the club face at address even more than the 10* that Jim says his is open to the target; I’m at least 20* open. Otherwise I’ll over-draw the heck out of it.
I'm not a JV member, but watching his RU-vid videos made it possible for me to continue playing golf, with the JV swing after I had back surgery. Thank you Jim Venetos, and to Golf Quest for spreading the word about the JV Swing
I found his initial videos interesting and thought it might help with back pain. I am not in his academy. I started at end of the year 2023 and committed to using his philosophy 100%. When I stay still ( still hard) the ball flight is beautiful and higher. My scores have been a little higher than normal 12-14 handicap but recently broke 80 for first time using his method. Chipping has improved as has bunker play. I am 68 years old and now hitting my wedge 125 yards on average and 56 degrees 95. Stick with it. You will love the high ball draw flight. I used to be a very good short game player but developed the yips and in the bunker too. Today I got up and down from off the green 4 of 5 times. Haven’t done that in a decade. I am subscribing to your channel to see your journey. Enjoy. Coacchh
Interested to see your journey with this method (subbed so I can). I dabbled with it last year but reverted back to more traditional methods. Ball striking suffering recently so thinking of going back to it. I hit some of my purest ever shots trying this last year.
I think it’s challenging to stick with something so unique. Especially without enrolling in Jim’s academy. One thing I find challenging is swinging this way with woods. I find it very hard to keep still. Thanks for the sub 👍🏻
@@GolfQuestChannel keep going with it. I actually hit fairway woods incredibly well with the method but less so with driver which is ultimately why I went back to more traditional methods. Golftestdummy has a good series on the JVGA swing. Take a look if you haven't already. Jim doesn't keep completely still if you watch in slow motion. On the backswing his body is pretty still (although watch his right foot) but on the downswing his hips move forward and his feet also move of course. To say he is 100% still is not correct. The key is that you don't move your weight back but keep it forward and then more forward on the downswing with closed shoulders.
I am not a JV member but have been following his RU-vid content for about a year and wanted to give it a real concerted effort. My results were amazing. You do not swing hard when using this format. It is basically this: set up in a closed stance (as much as 45 degrees) with about 70% of weight on your lead foot. Stay still and closed through impact with weight increasing on the lead foot the closer to impact. This is a lead arm dominated swing. Pull the club down through impact with the lead arm thus not allowing the trail shoulder to come forward (over the top). Stillness is critical as is maintaining weight on the lead foot. Stay relaxed with loose wrists (tension free) and do NOT swing hard. The swing path should remain along the closed shoulder line until the lead arm pulls the trail shoulder forward (well after impact) to a full upright finish. Maintaining a closed position with the weight on the front foot and staying STILL are key components of this method. The set up dictates all of the movements in the swing. In fact, you can completely disregard the movements of the hands and arms. The set up, if done properly, predetermines the movements of the hands and arms without any swing thoughts or tension. Resulting shots are nice tight draws which become so consistent over time that alignment is easy and predictable. The best part in my opinion is that this set up and the resulting draw biased shots can be used with any club in the bag including driver and can be used for pitches, chips and even in bunkers, it is truly remarkable. The hardest part of this for me was realizing that because I get center face contact 90% of the time there is no reason to swing hard. Use of the lead arm will eventually cause the trail arm to become passive and serves only as support for the club. I have back issues from hockey and this swing allows me to play 3-4 times per week without pain or recovery (I am 64 years old and did not take up golf until age 58). I went from an 18 handicap to a 12 in 7 months and my handicap is approaching 10 after 11 months of incorporating Jim's methodology. Since Jim bucks the typical PGA teaching style approach some feel that his approach is a gimmick, trust me it is not. I now play golf pain free and play it well in comparison to my golf partners. They tell me it looks a little funny right up to the point they open their wallets and pay me for kicking their asses by 5 or more strokes per round. Jim is a very intelligent man who experienced the PGA lifestyle growing up in a very competitive golf environment. He found the PGA method overly complex due to the contortions needed to play in the the PGA style. If you want to hit beautiful tight draws immediately and play from the fairway consistently, buy into this method for a season and see for yourself. I did and I will play anyone, anywhere at anytime. Just for fun, bring some extra cash to tip the beverage cart person or to pay the guy using his method.
Based on all the videos I’ve seen this is an excellent summary of Jim’s method. I love hearing success stories like these. My biggest issue is sticking with something that feels and looks so different. We’ll see if I can trust the process and give it the time it needs. Thanks for your input 👍🏻
I’ve been working with Jim for a year. You need to pivot o to your lead foot and pull your trail foot back a little. Jim also suggests you start with swings no more than thigh high until you get used to STILLNESS. The results are incredible.
I've been setting up his way for about a year now...the hardest parts to get used to are keeping the shoulders quiet until AFTER impact. Also, work on ball position...there is a sweet spot for beautiful shots. Jim also states in one of his videos, that the better golfer you are, you dont need to stand so deeply closed. You also dont need to swing hard, I find my best shots are with about 80% effort. Good Luck bro. As for your swing...it did look like you were a little quick with the shoulders opening up through impact...thats why it helps to slow it down to start.
Reviewed your swing. Keep the weight on your target leg, your shifting a wee bit. I can't stress enough. Keep the weight on your target leg. Slow down the transition....like Fred Couples.
I'm a JV member. Joined last November. Started using this swing due to severe back pain/issues. It takes awhile for the brain to adjust to the alignment. Make sure you have your face square to your target at address. It may appear very closed and hooded, but it's not. Keep the weight on the left side (right handed golfer) and keep still. I just played today. 76. For a 8 HC, I'll take it every day. You will not strike every shot perfect. No one does. Your misses will be online. Worst that happens is short and almost always an easy up and down. I wish I would have "discovered" this swing years ago. I will never go back to conventional.
I started the “switch” two months ago. Currently a 19 handicap and realizing more consistent ball striking with every iron and really hammering hybrids, woods and driver. Looking forward to this season and going from 19 to 15 by end of season. Ted L.
I’m in his school. You start with small swings not full swings. I’m left handed. I just get a bit of knee pain due to the pivot on the inside of my left knee.i usually I do stack and Tilt where you put your weight on your front leg. This is similar. I find the ball just pops off the club. He tells you not to swing hard.,
I just started in the online program and I love it. 70 year old high handicapper hitting irons so much better, driver still a bit of a problem but working on it. I certainly hit the ball farther and crisper.
Hey Golf Quest, I just watched your video and I must say that it was really informative and well-made. I was wondering if I could help you edit your videos and repurpose your long videos into highly engaging shorts? I can also make high CTR thumbnails for your channel
Hi, I haven't any experience of the Venetos method, but, like you, I have been watching his short videos and wondering about his claims, only in the last week or so. So I was very interested to see your video. I haven't had chance to get to the range and give it a go but I definitely will. I'm a fairly new golfer and still trying to find something that works well for me. Looking at his website though, $69 per month seems pretty pricey for an online course. I think you need to be pretty sure that it's going to benefit you before you sign up for that. Thanks again. New subscriber. 👍
My experience with Jim's academy was a dismal failure. I couldn't grasp it. I have tried so many swing methodologies and have not found one that works for me.
Pop over to Steve Johnston's @stevejohnstongolf RU-vid channel and thank him. This swing is all his. Here is his channel: www.youtube.com/@stevejohnstongolf Keep swinging well 😃
What I really liked is even my swings that took no divot I still hit 3 grooves up the face. Previously it would have been a thin due to steeper angle of attack
Thanks for sharing all of the detail! So the iPad is running through software and connects to the launch monitor? And the Apple TV simply allows you to project/cast the view from the iPad to your TV? I’m curious if Smartcast features of current smart TVs would do the same.
Your summary is correct. Im not sure about Smartcast - definitely a possibility. I also wanted the Apple TV so I have the option of watching RU-vid or live sports while I play. I do that a lot actually and just play / practice right on the iPad.
@@GolfQuestChannel thank u bud. Playing with a 2017 Adams Triton 9.0°. Anything in the last 3 years u like that I can get second hand or maybe new and not break the bank. Something for more distance that feels secure at impact
The main issue with these grips is they weigh like 10 grams more for the midsize version than the real Golf Pride Multicompound midsize grips do. The Champkey weigh 70g per midsize grip compared to the golf pride MCC midsize weighing 60g. 10 grams of extra weight on the handle is a considerable difference. Shelling out the extra money for the golf pride ones you're paying for that efficiency in design that cuts weight.
Awesome video! I love the "Elapsed Time" and realistic expectations of the frustration of setting up the back net. Honestly looks really cool and seems like a great set up for a medium space like a single carport + a small launch monitor.
Great video! Good analysis…and I’m not just saying that because I saw that net in action with my own eyes. Not my style but if you had a bigger space…maybe? But again if I had a bigger space I would get a bigger cage.
How many feet behind the front of the net do you calculate you have to be situated for you to comfortably use a driver? Is the front ball return lip at the bottom removable to avoid any rebound back from it?
I guess it depends on your arm length. Just take your driver and stretch out as far as it can go on a follow through then add a foot for good measure. As far as the lip, it is attached but the top buckles could be undone and attached to the bottom so it was folded down of that makes sense.
Another pro is that if you are utilizing a radar launch monitor like a flightscope or trackman you would be able to get more ball flight which radar units like. Nice video!
I could put a short throw projector in but I just haven't felt the need. Now, with the new e6 Apex software launching (hopefully sooner than later) I will consider upgrading to a gaming laptop and then potentially projecting.
