Week 12! A summary of the 3 months of work I have put in. Before and after, then to now, results, etc. Thanks so much for subscribing and supporting me!
I've known Jim personally for many years, Do Not Hesitate in working with this incredible and talented man... everything he shares is real, authentic and well developed..
Thanks so much for this summary Chad! Like you, I tried the JVGA program for about six months this past year. I loved the concept, Jim's down to earth instruction, etc. but somehow I wasn't getting it all correct and was extremely inconsistent with ball striking (some great, some just awful). Watching THIS video of yours has made all the difference as I now know where it all went wrong......like you, I completely misinterpreted the pivot instarction (and that included Jim's videos which look deceptive from the angle they're taken from). I was moving my entire upper body and shoulders to the point that my back was almost entire facing the target. Using your description of setting up square and then pivoting the lower body has been a game changer. Went to range and am now back on track with this wing and what needs to happen and it's been great. Also, like you, I was moving that left knee forward as you did but I've found a hack to fix that (at setup let the left knee move right an inch or two and once it's there, it's set and won't move) Thanks again for all you do for all of us to make the game a bit easier!
Chad - I think your progress with the JVGA has been excellent. You've obviously discovered that the keys to this swing are both stillness and no effort in the downswing. It took me six months to get to grips with this swing. FYI I pull my right foot approx. six inches back before I pivot. I also only make a little over a half swing and then pause very briefly at the top and this makes it easier for me to just let the arms drop on their own with no attempt to force the swing. I'm still amazed at how much power there is in this swing with just no effort. Regarding your scores improving the main factor will be your short game. I would certainly encourage you to continue with Jim and just trust in the process. You're also correct in that the only item that points at the target is your clubface, the legs, hips and shoulders are all facing right of the target. I now enjoy my golf more than ever and break 80 consistently. Prior to starting with JVGA I was an 18 handicap and I'm 68 years old
GTB, Thanks for doing this. I’m looking forward to witnessing your golf journey. I’m also a JVGA student and couldn’t agree with you more about the value of Jim’s guidance.
Chad, man , I want to thank you for EVERYTHING you have done!! It feels like we are learning and playing with our buddies when you put yourself out there! The Jim Venetos method is so pure and I am excited to enroll in his “academy “! I coach basketball at a small college in Central Va., give a holler when you come through! Thanks again, Charlie
Enjoyed watching your journey during this learning experience with JVGA. As someone who struggles all the time with consistency on the course this might be the answer I'm looking for.
Thanks for sharing your story! I just starting using Jim's swing and I love how easy it becomes to just keep weight on front foot. Hardest part for me is not trying to hit the ball with my arms. Played a round and my Drives were amazing but my irons lost about 20 yards each, maybe because I'm trying to hit the ball a little bit with my arms. I am committed to changing my swing to this! Thanks for letting me know it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks!
I've tried this for about a month now and am hitting my irons beautifully. My problem is with the woods and driver, I just don't feel comfortable when looking at the clubhead before the swing.
Congrats on your journey to this point and thanks for sharing it with us. I wish you continued success on your journey and look forward to following you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, great advice and I really appreciate what you have done here, my shots and game are now improving massively and a lot of that is down to YOU!!!
In my 3rd season with the JVGA system. Except for the 1st 3 months and 1 swing analysis, did it all on my own and probably to my own detriment. All I think of is stay still and stay closed but started experimenting this year because the block out to the right was costing me 2 or so penalties each round. It's probably my instilled 30 yr old DNA habit of swinging fairly hard. On the courses I play I can't just let my arms fall at a "1" effort as Jim wants. I am varying my speed as the shot desires. Broke 80 a lot last year, and now shooting 82-88. Recording my stillness and still raise up a bit but not as bad as I used to. I practice the downswing drill a lot at home but not at the course. I've still not been able to stop the right shoulder from contributing. Now it's not all bad, I do love the tight draws I hit vs the weak fades from my old days. Nothing feels better ball striping wise. I also struggle with water on the right and that deep pivot points your eyes right at it. Requires a lot of trust and like you grew up with the parallel left thoughts. Just a few thoughts for you knowing what your going through.
Thanks so much for the insight. You are so right; It does require a lot of trust. I think the most important thing I am learning is identity. I never really had one on the course. Playing from a position transcends just the physical sense. It has also bled over in to my mental state and while I am still learning the lesson, I know now that I need to place from a soul position as well. Play as Chad is, not what you think Chad should be to everyone else.
S Douglas to help keep your right shoulder back on the downswing, try focusing your eyes on the grass a few inches behind the ball on your downswing. This helps me, might help you too.
Great job Chad! Really grateful for all the work you've put in doing this. I'm still at it of course. Working with Jim and finding stillness. Wonderful journey so far. I'll stay tuned for you future posts. Thanks for this and I'm excited to see what you and Jim are cooking up!
Thanks for this Chad. I discovered Jim a month or so ago and watching your journey has been so enlightening. I know I have been tempted to mix other teachings, wrist lag etc, but from your experience the message I get is to leave all that home. Just stay still! The other thing is that I have only taken up golf again after many years and going to the range see people hitting great shots using the conventional method and it is very tempting to just not go down this JVGA path. But to me it all makes sense. I love this idea of a Zen type of hitting the ball. Would love more updates on your progress with JVGA please! Thanks again!
Thanks Mahesh! I really appreciate the kind words. However, as is the nature of the channel I have to explore other avenues, swing methods, drills, etc. So I am currently not reviewing the JV swing at this time. Stay tuned though, because I'm always trying new things!
Hi Chad, you have done remarkably well. Most entertaining and informative, thank you. On the downswing do you simply let the club drop into the shot or do you assist the strike? If you assist it how do you stop your shoulders from opening?
Good job and assessment sir. I’ll be looking forward for your future videos but more about your improvements for sure. You are an inspiration to me and many who follows you like I do in this challenge. More power to you! 👍🏻👏🏼💪🏼👊🏼 “What we do: it’s all in the setup. Executing it is much easier than we think.” ~JimmyVee and other key students
Thanks for the summary Chad, well done. At any time during your training did you fight the hard hook? And if so, did you figure out the cause? I’m 74 and I’ve been working with Jim’s swing for about a year, and the smothered hook is my big miss. Just wondering if you ran into that along the way and learned how to stop it. Thanks, and great job bringing us your JVGA journey! 👍
Thanks Larry! Yes, the low, short hook has shown up for me. Its hard for me to pinpoint why it happens exactly, but I will try. It never happens with short irons, so thats a clue. It is a long club issue. However, it doesn't happen as severely with driver. Thats because it's on a tee, so you can mask it a bit with some height. Jim says if it is bad contact, its weight. If its direction, it's your shoulders. My theory is that longer irons off the turf are more susceptible to the low hook, because we try to help them up. In doing so, our weight can go back a bit and that changes our shoulders by opening them a bit before impact. Try hitting a 4 iron and swinging as if it were a wedge.
Thanks Chad - I’m sure for me it’s a shoulder issue, and I struggle most with the driver and 3-wood. Man I hit some nasty hooks with those clubs, and it may be simply because I’m swinging too hard. This swing does not want you going at it too hard, and it punishes you if you do...
I've been using Jim' s method. The hard hook is because swing path is too much from the inside. Jim's very closed stance causes this. I use an R-motion golf simulator, lets know me know path is too much from the inside when I hook ;)
I must be on the right path cause a I'm finding the same things b I'm loving the no spikes required c I'm hitting it well I'm week 8 and I'm getting it d once I locked my weight and pivot nice soft baby draws Agree with you fully it is a slow burner not a fast fix
I have enjoyed it the 1 and a half times I have played so far LOL. Unfortunately, between rain, work, and just general busy times, I haven't been able to play much. I can't wait to get out on the course though.
Hi Chad , I have been using this swing for about two months and I have nearly given up on it a few times. However, the last two games have been great and I have hardly missed a shot. I now only swing back no further than the left arm being level with ground and I take the club both back and through in focusing on the the left arm only. My chums were laughing at my new stance and set up but they are not laughing now!
That's great to hear! If you're seeing my latest vids, you see I'm struggling lately. It's been a frustrating road to travel lately but I keep my goals in mind and keep grinding.
Don't give up. When it clicks its both easy and powerful. I have not signed up with Jim but I now think by trial and error that I have eventually got there.
@David Hello David. I have lost my way a bit. My biggest problem is lining up. We are in a lockdown situation here due to Covid but I may join up soon. Cheers
Hey Chad great videos! Great to see someone else tracking their journey with JV. I've been working with Jim's method for a while. Curious from your experience if you had a mental wrestling match with the following: "I'm going to hit it fat in this position", "I can't get distance with this limited back swing and arms only swing"? Also I heard you say your getting new clubs on your recap. Are you changing your shaft weight and stiffness as a result of your new swing?
This was some time ago now, so some of my memories of thoughts and feelings may be foggy. But I did have some thoughts like those, yes. Anything radically new will do that though. My biggest "wrestling match" was with my left knee. I would swear I was still, then watch the video, and clearly I wasn't. So I became fixated on that knee, and that was just so tough mentally.
I can identify with your summary section. I am getting far better consistency with strike, I am hitting draws with my driver, my misses are blocks only ( when I fail to mentally swing out to my target and get ball focused) , chipping far improved with distance and flight control. Putting, well I think Jim had plagiarized my method, so no change there for me. Scoring? I am playing in wet, windy, soggy ground conditions ( in southern Oz) and still hitting around 90 which is good for me. My error in the swing set up was to pivot onto my left side, but keep my left knee straight. It needs to be flexed a little to get good strike. It takes effort to swing through the ball after impact. My oblique back muscles are getting less sore now after using this method for a few weeks. BTW I am a visual learner, so even though I have not signed up with the JV Academy yet, I have made significant improvement in my game control. My previous swing's outcome was so much like GTD's that I laughed out loud when he described the baffling array of misses that would emerge without notice. I described it as moments of brilliance interspersed with long periods of mediocrity.
Not being able to afford Jim’s course, his teaching on YT has totally transformed my ball striking for the better (except for driver which is worse, but I’m taking it out of my bag anyway, it’s so bad). Can’t wait to save enough $ to play golf using his method.
I have gone the conventional route. Meaning, a digital camera and a laptop setup with Lightworks editing software. My other channel is a DIY and I used those tools for it. It is expensive but works great. Now, I have the tablet and my editing software is Kinemaster; an app. My photo app for thumbnails is on there also, as well as the UA-cam Creator Studio. All in one device. Also, I bought a 14 dollar mount meant for bikes and use it to mount on my cart or bag for filming.
I have done both. Thinking about it, and not thinking about it. This vid was a while back in the Summer. I'm still evolving and have more work to do. But like the name of the channel says, I'm always testing different things.
Golf Test dummy. Thank you for sharing your journey with JVGA. I also have stumbled on his teachngs, and to me it make common sense, and you feel compelled to give it a go. Can you help me clarify one point please. He pivots 45 degrees to the closed position and weight is on the left. Then swing along the shoulder line. Yes this gives a in to out swing, hoping for a draw. But like you at times, I am always hitting it straight right every time. Yes I have eliminated the left side of the golf course. And that is a good thing. But I have also eliminated the middle fairway when I pivot 45 degrees. I note that when I dont pivot, BAM it goes down the middle. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. The stillness and weight on the leading foot has given me more consistent compression nearly all the time, and lower ball flight.
It may be a small oversight. When you're setting up, there is a detail that seems unimportant, but its crucial. Pivot, then grip. Sole the club so that it doesn't move from its alignment when you pivot. Then after you pivot into your position, take your grip.
@@GolfTestDummy Strongly support your opinion.Pivoting thans gripping is crucial. I´m from Germany and working on conducting Jims Methote for over year. If you want my opinion, the slogan "stillness" can be very misleading. If you watch Jims swing closely and in slowmotion, there is a slight weightshift or pressure shit towards the ame BEFORE he reaches the top of his backswing. It is not the classical "Snead" squat but it is a move to kickstart his downswing. But he does not mention this move in the videos here on UA-cam. I can comprehend what he is teaching - especially the 45 degree preset of the body, which should not be sacrificed at all at the backswing... But he is very remotely what happens after reaching the top of the backswing. If I stay total still and let the club fall into the "slot", my upperbody doesn´t move. If I move the hips conciously to the aim, it does not work eighter. But if I apply the pressure shift before reaching the highest point in the backswing, the methode works and it is generated a lot of clubhead speed as well. But Jim does not mention this move, but he conductes it if you watch him closely. Another importand point ist the pivot, needed for the diverent swing lenghts in Jims system. For pitches, I pivot only 10 degrees in the preset. Thanks for your great work on this channel. Greetings from Germany.
I joined Jim’s academy a few years back. I watched his membership videos and corresponded with him via email. Jim appears to be a genuine bloke who wants to help amateurs find a more consistent method of swinging a golf club. Not only that he gives good advice in general including on course management. I’ve practiced his technique and for me it works. The first time you hit a consistent baby draw with a 3 wood or 2 iron from the deck and are able to repeat the same outcome over and over again, the light bulb comes on. I did find the initial practicing with small chips and half nine iron pitches a bit of hit and miss but if you preserve and chat to Jim he will inform you why the bad outcomes are happening but he’s totally right, you have to keep still, keep that right shoulder back on the downswing for as long as possible and just let your hands drop back to where you started. I try to keep my eyes focussed on the ground a few inches behind the ball on the downswing to help keep my right shoulder back and reduce the temptation to hit the ball.
The ball starts where the club face is aimed at impact the differential of face and path creates curvature from the tilting of the axis this does not account for gear effect.
I liked the review. I know JV has fans and students that have benefited from his system. I think everyone is looking for a magic pill, quick fix etc. JV has removed a critically important piece of the golf swing in order to simplify the process and short cut the path to results. I think to that end, it's effective. Removing the weight shift allows the student to focus on the upper body only and possibly clean up certain areas of inconsistency. However, it's not effective for a complete golf swing or a long hitter. No baseball pitcher or golfer could make s living starting on the lead side. Try skipping stones on a pond while standing on your lead leg, now try it while stepping into it. We know which one wins. In stark contrast to JV is the teachings of Mike Austin. In a tournament, (while mike was in his mid 60's) he drove 515 yards. He was a kinesiology teacher and claimed to have developed the perfect swing for a human based on joints, limbs, muscles and connective tissue efficiency and limits. His protege Mike Dunaway was a long ball champion. I've been working toward his teachings for a couple months now and it seems to be paying off. Seems effortless to hit a blade 7 iron 165 carry
It's been money at the range and on the course so far. Solid, sweet spot more often, good distance for my swing length right now. I will be working on increasing my backswing length, but I can't sacrifice stillness to get it.
@@GolfTestDummy just feel that one loses distance as their is no Leverage from the legs. With irons you could use hybrids to adjust for loss of distance bit on long par 5s not sure if that will work
@@dexterjames2302 I'm no expert by any means, so I don't want to pretend like I understand it that deep. My thought is, the leverage isn't created by squatting and thrusting like in the conventional swing. The leverage comes from keeping the radius of the circle the same throughout instead of oval, and the fulcrum in a fixed position. Jim really is the best resource for all these concerns and he can answer all of these things, as people ask him this very question all the time. He can drive the ball a long way with this swing. We can too, as long as we work on it and get the fundamentals down.
I signed up with Jim's academy and tried hard at learning his method. I thought it would be my final opportunity to have a good golf swing. I just couldn't do anything to his satisfaction. It frustrated me and we parted ways. I haven't tried to play golf since.
I’m sorry you’re gonna be hooked to the shit out of the ball I’m not being a hater I love to see your follow up I know this is five years ago are you still doing the same thing but his system
Hi Chad. Love you videos as I have said before Any golf system that told me not to worry about how to aim correctly; that my misses will help my mind correct my aiming mistakes; is not for me. Since this is not how the game of golf is played you really want to« take dead aim to your target. » ( Harvey Penick) How? Do as we see all the professional golfers do on TV. Walk up to your ball with your eyes looking at your intended landing zone. As you approach your ball; square your club head to the ball and take your golf posture. Now simple turn your head comfortably to allow you eyes to peer directly at your intended landing zone then turn you head back down again. Once confidence of your aim, simply swing the handle of the club never deliberately rolling your hands as you swing the handle. All your body parts need to learn to automatically kick in as your are swinging the handle or feeling that of a « swinging a bucket of water back and forth » as Harvey use to say. And then at the top of my swing I Simply Grip it and Whip it! Because as Harvey Penick also said the shifting of our weight and movement of our hands activating our trail elbow that serves to unfold our trail forearm must happen at the exact same moment without any conscious effort on our part. Cheers Hope what I have written to you so far kicks in and that you give it a try and make a comment on one of your next videos. Cheers
Hi Chad also remember we should never ever rush the club head. Another way of looking at our swing is that the club head is never wanting to be controlled by us at all and does not want to be caught up in our body as we should only be swinging the handle back and forth. As a matter of fact the club head is the counter weight to the mass and weight of our hands placed as one unit correctly on the handle of the club. So why would we want the head of the club to ever catch up to us? We don’t. In fact post impact to our ball on the ground the head of the club with its momentum actually takes over us wrapping our trail arm around our body at the end of our swing. So please take advice from David Duval and never ever role the handle or your hands deliberately in the back swing or down swing. Note his explanation of his trial hand as this allows us to start the crack of the whips from the very top of our swing. If we roll our hands during the back swing the left side of our body will block our shot. Cheers ua-cam.com/video/Uync0tNe-28/v-deo.html
"Has it improved my game" - most certainly. If you mean score wise, I doubt it. Now you have to keep a yardage book - something that Jim insist on. That comes with phase II, as I understand it. Here is where your score improves along with your game. Keep at it.
I still have more work to do for sure. I look forward to it and I hope in 3 months and 6 months and a year I can look back and pin point the time I started down the path to scratch golf.
Very good, hopefully the 12 weeks isn't the end of your commitment to the method. I agree with needing JV to critique your individual swing and explain why your perceptions are incorrect. Also for sure...you feet are liars. Like anything it still takes practice and commitment, there is no magic bullet in golf, no method is going to drop 10 of your handicap by just holding your mouth a certain way, but after about 12 weeks you might self-diagnose...weight or shoulders. I find the misses are actually because I am thinking about one or the other, but with the experience... I can say I could never go back to anything traditional, in fact it is almost impossible to even try a rotational or traditional swing once the pivot...grip...still...pivot...grip...still is so ingrained.
Week 12! A summary of the 3 months of work I have put in. Before and after, then to now, results, etc. Thanks so much for subscribing and supporting me!
I really like this swing
I've known Jim personally for many years, Do Not Hesitate in working with this incredible and talented man... everything he shares is real, authentic and well developed..
Best video yet on JVGA
Thanks so much for this summary Chad! Like you, I tried the JVGA program for about six months this past year. I loved the concept, Jim's down to earth instruction, etc. but somehow I wasn't getting it all correct and was extremely inconsistent with ball striking (some great, some just awful).
Watching THIS video of yours has made all the difference as I now know where it all went wrong......like you, I completely misinterpreted the pivot instarction (and that included Jim's videos which look deceptive from the angle they're taken from). I was moving my entire upper body and shoulders to the point that my back was almost entire facing the target.
Using your description of setting up square and then pivoting the lower body has been a game changer.
Went to range and am now back on track with this wing and what needs to happen and it's been great. Also, like you, I was moving that left knee forward as you did but I've found a hack to fix that (at setup let the left knee move right an inch or two and once it's there, it's set and won't move)
Thanks again for all you do for all of us to make the game a bit easier!
Good summary of your progress with Jim’s system. Thanks.
Chad - I think your progress with the JVGA has been excellent. You've obviously discovered that the keys to this swing are both stillness and no effort in the downswing. It took me six months to get to grips with this swing. FYI I pull my right foot approx. six inches back before I pivot. I also only make a little over a half swing and then pause very briefly at the top and this makes it easier for me to just let the arms drop on their own with no attempt to force the swing. I'm still amazed at how much power there is in this swing with just no effort. Regarding your scores improving the main factor will be your short game. I would certainly encourage you to continue with Jim and just trust in the process. You're also correct in that the only item that points at the target is your clubface, the legs, hips and shoulders are all facing right of the target. I now enjoy my golf more than ever and break 80 consistently. Prior to starting with JVGA I was an 18 handicap and I'm 68 years old
George that is amazing. Thank you for this comment. The insight from you helps me and others tremendously. Congratulations on your game!
GTB, Thanks for doing this. I’m looking forward to witnessing your golf journey. I’m also a JVGA student and couldn’t agree with you more about the value of Jim’s guidance.
Makes all the difference in whether you succeed with this, or you fall flat.
The hardest part for me is figuring out how much can the shoulders turn? As shoulder turn is what every great golfer and instructor emphasizes
Chad, man , I want to thank you for EVERYTHING you have done!! It feels like we are learning and playing with our buddies when you put yourself out there! The Jim Venetos method is so pure and I am excited to enroll in his “academy “! I coach basketball at a small college in Central Va., give a holler when you come through! Thanks again, Charlie
Thanks Charlie! I have reviewed several methods and the JVGA method seems to have the most interest from viewers.
Enjoyed watching your journey during this learning experience with JVGA. As someone who struggles all the time with consistency on the course this might be the answer I'm looking for.
Very good. Thanks
Cool! Thanks for taking the time to put this together
It works. But my distances are 1 club shorter. Any advice?
Thanks for sharing your story! I just starting using Jim's swing and I love how easy it becomes to just keep weight on front foot. Hardest part for me is not trying to hit the ball with my arms. Played a round and my Drives were amazing but my irons lost about 20 yards each, maybe because I'm trying to hit the ball a little bit with my arms. I am committed to changing my swing to this! Thanks for letting me know it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks!
Best of luck Patrick!
If your shoulders are closed and still what else can you hit it with?
I've tried this for about a month now and am hitting my irons beautifully. My problem is with the woods and driver, I just don't feel comfortable when looking at the clubhead before the swing.
Enjoyed your content I am going to sign up and try this swing I am sick of hitting it fat thin you name it.
Great video tha ks. Whst causes the block?
I missed week 11 my friend. Hope I didnt miss much! Keep it up, proud of your dedication!
Its up on the channel Michael! You can catch up.
Congrats on your journey to this point and thanks for sharing it with us. I wish you continued success on your journey and look forward to following you.
Thanks so much! Yeah, this is just the beginning. Plenty more to come and as always, I will be an experiment broadcast for all to see LOL.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, great advice and I really appreciate what you have done here, my shots and game are now improving massively and a lot of that is down to YOU!!!
Wow Paul that is spectacular news! That makes me very happy to hear. Hope you continue to find success.
In my 3rd season with the JVGA system. Except for the 1st 3 months and 1 swing analysis, did it all on my own and probably to my own detriment. All I think of is stay still and stay closed but started experimenting this year because the block out to the right was costing me 2 or so penalties each round. It's probably my instilled 30 yr old DNA habit of swinging fairly hard. On the courses I play I can't just let my arms fall at a "1" effort as Jim wants. I am varying my speed as the shot desires. Broke 80 a lot last year, and now shooting 82-88. Recording my stillness and still raise up a bit but not as bad as I used to. I practice the downswing drill a lot at home but not at the course. I've still not been able to stop the right shoulder from contributing. Now it's not all bad, I do love the tight draws I hit vs the weak fades from my old days. Nothing feels better ball striping wise. I also struggle with water on the right and that deep pivot points your eyes right at it. Requires a lot of trust and like you grew up with the parallel left thoughts. Just a few thoughts for you knowing what your going through.
Thanks so much for the insight. You are so right; It does require a lot of trust. I think the most important thing I am learning is identity. I never really had one on the course. Playing from a position transcends just the physical sense. It has also bled over in to my mental state and while I am still learning the lesson, I know now that I need to place from a soul position as well. Play as Chad is, not what you think Chad should be to everyone else.
S Douglas to help keep your right shoulder back on the downswing, try focusing your eyes on the grass a few inches behind the ball on your downswing. This helps me, might help you too.
Thanks Chad, the 3 months just flew by.
Sure did!
Great job Chad! Really grateful for all the work you've put in doing this. I'm still at it of course. Working with Jim and finding stillness. Wonderful journey so far. I'll stay tuned for you future posts. Thanks for this and I'm excited to see what you and Jim are cooking up!
Thanks a ton! It's been very enlightening and for as much as I know about the game, I realize I actually know very little.
In his lessons can you download the videos to watch offline
Where are you now with this swing ???
Thanks for this Chad. I discovered Jim a month or so ago and watching your journey has been so enlightening. I know I have been tempted to mix other teachings, wrist lag etc, but from your experience the message I get is to leave all that home. Just stay still!
The other thing is that I have only taken up golf again after many years and going to the range see people hitting great shots using the conventional method and it is very tempting to just not go down this JVGA path. But to me it all makes sense. I love this idea of a Zen type of hitting the ball.
Would love more updates on your progress with JVGA please! Thanks again!
Thanks Mahesh! I really appreciate the kind words. However, as is the nature of the channel I have to explore other avenues, swing methods, drills, etc. So I am currently not reviewing the JV swing at this time. Stay tuned though, because I'm always trying new things!
Hi Chad, you have done remarkably well. Most entertaining and informative, thank you. On the downswing do you simply let the club drop into the shot or do you assist the strike? If you assist it how do you stop your shoulders from opening?
For me personally, it works best when it has a bit of torque stored at the top, and the rubber band unwinds on the way down.
Good job and assessment sir. I’ll be looking forward for your future videos but more about your improvements for sure. You are an inspiration to me and many who follows you like I do in this challenge.
More power to you! 👍🏻👏🏼💪🏼👊🏼
“What we do: it’s all in the setup. Executing it is much easier than we think.”
~JimmyVee and other key students
Words of wisdom Noel. Thanks so much for the support!
Thanks for the summary Chad, well done. At any time during your training did you fight the hard hook? And if so, did you figure out the cause? I’m 74 and I’ve been working with Jim’s swing for about a year, and the smothered hook is my big miss. Just wondering if you ran into that along the way and learned how to stop it. Thanks, and great job bringing us your JVGA journey! 👍
Thanks Larry! Yes, the low, short hook has shown up for me. Its hard for me to pinpoint why it happens exactly, but I will try. It never happens with short irons, so thats a clue. It is a long club issue. However, it doesn't happen as severely with driver. Thats because it's on a tee, so you can mask it a bit with some height. Jim says if it is bad contact, its weight. If its direction, it's your shoulders. My theory is that longer irons off the turf are more susceptible to the low hook, because we try to help them up. In doing so, our weight can go back a bit and that changes our shoulders by opening them a bit before impact. Try hitting a 4 iron and swinging as if it were a wedge.
Thanks Chad - I’m sure for me it’s a shoulder issue, and I struggle most with the driver and 3-wood. Man I hit some nasty hooks with those clubs, and it may be simply because I’m swinging too hard. This swing does not want you going at it too hard, and it punishes you if you do...
I've been using Jim' s method. The hard hook is because swing path is too much from the inside. Jim's very closed stance causes this. I use an R-motion golf simulator, lets know me know path is too much from the inside when I hook ;)
I must be on the right path cause a I'm finding the same things b I'm loving the no spikes required c I'm hitting it well I'm week 8 and I'm getting it d once I locked my weight and pivot nice soft baby draws Agree with you fully it is a slow burner not a fast fix
Any lasting, worthwhile change can't come in a blink.
I don’t understand one of the first things he tells you is to drop your right foot back why didn’t you do that in the beginning just curious
Already can't wait for next week.
Surely your golf is better with less duff shots.
Are you enjoying golf more?
I have enjoyed it the 1 and a half times I have played so far LOL. Unfortunately, between rain, work, and just general busy times, I haven't been able to play much. I can't wait to get out on the course though.
Hi Chad , I have been using this swing for about two months and I have nearly given up on it a few times. However, the last two games have been great and I have hardly missed a shot.
I now only swing back no further than the left arm being level with ground and I take the club both back and through in focusing on the the left arm only. My chums were laughing at my new stance and set up but they are not laughing now!
That's great to hear! If you're seeing my latest vids, you see I'm struggling lately. It's been a frustrating road to travel lately but I keep my goals in mind and keep grinding.
Don't give up. When it clicks its both easy and powerful. I have not signed up with Jim but I now think by trial and error that I have eventually got there.
@David Hello David. I have lost my way a bit. My biggest problem is lining up. We are in a lockdown situation here due to Covid but I may join up soon. Cheers
@David I think you hit the nail on the head when you said " successful at staying still "" To me this is the most difficult aspect of the swing.
Great series. Thank you. Just curious, have you gone back to try this system again? If yes, how were your results?
I do revisit the things I've tried sometimes. Not always on camera though.
Hey Chad great videos! Great to see someone else tracking their journey with JV. I've been working with Jim's method for a while. Curious from your experience if you had a mental wrestling match with the following: "I'm going to hit it fat in this position", "I can't get distance with this limited back swing and arms only swing"? Also I heard you say your getting new clubs on your recap. Are you changing your shaft weight and stiffness as a result of your new swing?
This was some time ago now, so some of my memories of thoughts and feelings may be foggy. But I did have some thoughts like those, yes. Anything radically new will do that though. My biggest "wrestling match" was with my left knee. I would swear I was still, then watch the video, and clearly I wasn't. So I became fixated on that knee, and that was just so tough mentally.
I can identify with your summary section. I am getting far better consistency with strike, I am hitting draws with my driver, my misses are blocks only ( when I fail to mentally swing out to my target and get ball focused) , chipping far improved with distance and flight control. Putting, well I think Jim had plagiarized my method, so no change there for me. Scoring? I am playing in wet, windy, soggy ground conditions ( in southern Oz) and still hitting around 90 which is good for me. My error in the swing set up was to pivot onto my left side, but keep my left knee straight. It needs to be flexed a little to get good strike. It takes effort to swing through the ball after impact. My oblique back muscles are getting less sore now after using this method for a few weeks. BTW I am a visual learner, so even though I have not signed up with the JV Academy yet, I have made significant improvement in my game control. My previous swing's outcome was so much like GTD's that I laughed out loud when he described the baffling array of misses that would emerge without notice. I described it as moments of brilliance interspersed with long periods of mediocrity.
It's funny how many of us experience a lot of the same things, yet we all seek different solutions.
Went back and watched this video. After your JVG experience, is this the most repeatable, “consistent” and preset golf swing to implement? Thanks!
I think the Single Plane Swing wins that one.
Thanks Chad
one big question is has your distance improved or dropped off
Not being able to afford Jim’s course, his teaching on YT has totally transformed my ball striking for the better (except for driver which is worse, but I’m taking it out of my bag anyway, it’s so bad). Can’t wait to save enough $ to play golf using his method.
Can you tell me about your Samsung tablet recording setup? I'd like to vlog soon as well.
I have gone the conventional route. Meaning, a digital camera and a laptop setup with Lightworks editing software. My other channel is a DIY and I used those tools for it. It is expensive but works great. Now, I have the tablet and my editing software is Kinemaster; an app. My photo app for thumbnails is on there also, as well as the UA-cam Creator Studio. All in one device. Also, I bought a 14 dollar mount meant for bikes and use it to mount on my cart or bag for filming.
Great work you're doing......just one question, if I may. Do you ever consciously think of hinging your wrists in the backswing?
I have done both. Thinking about it, and not thinking about it. This vid was a while back in the Summer. I'm still evolving and have more work to do. But like the name of the channel says, I'm always testing different things.
Golf Test dummy.
Thank you for sharing your journey with JVGA. I also have stumbled on his teachngs, and to me it make common sense, and you feel compelled to give it a go. Can you help me clarify one point please. He pivots 45 degrees to the closed position and weight is on the left. Then swing along the shoulder line. Yes this gives a in to out swing, hoping for a draw.
But like you at times, I am always hitting it straight right every time. Yes I have eliminated the left side of the golf course. And that is a good thing. But I have also eliminated the middle fairway when I pivot 45 degrees. I note that when I dont pivot, BAM it goes down the middle. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. The stillness and weight on the leading foot has given me more consistent compression nearly all the time, and lower ball flight.
It may be a small oversight. When you're setting up, there is a detail that seems unimportant, but its crucial. Pivot, then grip. Sole the club so that it doesn't move from its alignment when you pivot. Then after you pivot into your position, take your grip.
@@GolfTestDummy Strongly support your opinion.Pivoting thans gripping is crucial. I´m from Germany and working on conducting Jims Methote for over year. If you want my opinion, the slogan "stillness" can be very misleading. If you watch Jims swing closely and in slowmotion, there is a slight weightshift or pressure shit towards the ame BEFORE he reaches the top of his backswing. It is not the classical "Snead" squat but it is a move to kickstart his downswing. But he does not mention this move in the videos here on UA-cam. I can comprehend what he is teaching - especially the 45 degree preset of the body, which should not be sacrificed at all at the backswing... But he is very remotely what happens after reaching the top of the backswing. If I stay total still and let the club fall into the "slot", my upperbody doesn´t move. If I move the hips conciously to the aim, it does not work eighter. But if I apply the pressure shift before reaching the highest point in the backswing, the methode works and it is generated a lot of clubhead speed as well. But Jim does not mention this move, but he conductes it if you watch him closely.
Another importand point ist the pivot, needed for the diverent swing lenghts in Jims system. For pitches, I pivot only 10 degrees in the preset.
Thanks for your great work on this channel. Greetings from Germany.
I joined Jim’s academy a few years back. I watched his membership videos and corresponded with him via email.
Jim appears to be a genuine bloke who wants to help amateurs find a more consistent method of swinging a golf club. Not only that he gives good advice in general including on course management.
I’ve practiced his technique and for me it works. The first time you hit a consistent baby draw with a 3 wood or 2 iron from the deck and are able to repeat the same outcome over and over again, the light bulb comes on.
I did find the initial practicing with small chips and half nine iron pitches a bit of hit and miss but if you preserve and chat to Jim he will inform you why the bad outcomes are happening but he’s totally right, you have to keep still, keep that right shoulder back on the downswing for as long as possible and just let your hands drop back to where you started. I try to keep my eyes focussed on the ground a few inches behind the ball on the downswing to help keep my right shoulder back and reduce the temptation to hit the ball.
Yes sir. Jim is very smart and the technique is sound. He helps a lot of people. Great to hear others success stories.
The ball starts where the club face is aimed at impact the differential of face and path creates curvature from the tilting of the axis this does not account for gear effect.
Did you ever do a driver with Jim’s method ?
Yes. It was streaky for me.
Looks zero like JV swing. I saw zero hip pivot, feet closed etc. however you have a good swing so stick with it 👍
I liked the review. I know JV has fans and students that have benefited from his system. I think everyone is looking for a magic pill, quick fix etc. JV has removed a critically important piece of the golf swing in order to simplify the process and short cut the path to results. I think to that end, it's effective.
Removing the weight shift allows the student to focus on the upper body only and possibly clean up certain areas of inconsistency. However, it's not effective for a complete golf swing or a long hitter. No baseball pitcher or golfer could make s living starting on the lead side.
Try skipping stones on a pond while standing on your lead leg, now try it while stepping into it. We know which one wins.
In stark contrast to JV is the teachings of Mike Austin. In a tournament, (while mike was in his mid 60's) he drove 515 yards. He was a kinesiology teacher and claimed to have developed the perfect swing for a human based on joints, limbs, muscles and connective tissue efficiency and limits. His protege Mike Dunaway was a long ball champion.
I've been working toward his teachings for a couple months now and it seems to be paying off. Seems effortless to hit a blade 7 iron 165 carry
How is the driver with swing setup
It's been money at the range and on the course so far. Solid, sweet spot more often, good distance for my swing length right now. I will be working on increasing my backswing length, but I can't sacrifice stillness to get it.
@@GolfTestDummy just feel that one loses distance as their is no Leverage from the legs. With irons you could use hybrids to adjust for loss of distance bit on long par 5s not sure if that will work
@@dexterjames2302 I'm no expert by any means, so I don't want to pretend like I understand it that deep. My thought is, the leverage isn't created by squatting and thrusting like in the conventional swing. The leverage comes from keeping the radius of the circle the same throughout instead of oval, and the fulcrum in a fixed position. Jim really is the best resource for all these concerns and he can answer all of these things, as people ask him this very question all the time. He can drive the ball a long way with this swing. We can too, as long as we work on it and get the fundamentals down.
I signed up with Jim's academy and tried hard at learning his method. I thought it would be my final opportunity to have a good golf swing. I just couldn't do anything to his satisfaction. It frustrated me and we parted ways. I haven't tried to play golf since.
It's not easy by any means and it's not for everyone. That's for sure. I hate to hear you gave up the game though.
I’m sorry you’re gonna be hooked to the shit out of the ball I’m not being a hater I love to see your follow up I know this is five years ago are you still doing the same thing but his system
Hi Chad. Love you videos as I have said before
Any golf system that told me not to worry about how to aim correctly; that my misses will help my mind correct my aiming mistakes; is not for me. Since this is not how the game of golf is played you really want to« take dead aim to your target. » ( Harvey Penick)
How?
Do as we see all the professional golfers do on TV. Walk up to your ball with your eyes looking at your intended landing zone. As you approach your ball; square your club head to the ball and take your golf posture. Now simple turn your head comfortably to allow you eyes to peer directly at your intended landing zone then turn you head back down again. Once confidence of your aim, simply swing the handle of the club never deliberately rolling your hands as you swing the handle. All your body parts need to learn to automatically kick in as your are swinging the handle or feeling that of a « swinging a bucket of water back and forth » as Harvey use to say.
And then at the top of my swing I Simply Grip it and Whip it! Because as Harvey Penick also said the shifting of our weight and movement of our hands activating our trail elbow that serves to unfold our trail forearm must happen at the exact same moment without any conscious effort on our part. Cheers Hope what I have written to you so far kicks in and that you give it a try and make a comment on one of your next videos. Cheers
Hi Chad also remember we should never ever rush the club head. Another way of looking at our swing is that the club head is never wanting to be controlled by us at all and does not want to be caught up in our body as we should only be swinging the handle back and forth. As a matter of fact the club head is the counter weight to the mass and weight of our hands placed as one unit correctly on the handle of the club. So why would we want the head of the club to ever catch up to us? We don’t. In fact post impact to our ball on the ground the head of the club with its momentum actually takes over us wrapping our trail arm around our body at the end of our swing.
So please take advice from David Duval and never ever role the handle or your hands deliberately in the back swing or down swing. Note his explanation of his trial hand as this allows us to start the crack of the whips from the very top of our swing. If we roll our hands during the back swing the left side of our body will block our shot. Cheers ua-cam.com/video/Uync0tNe-28/v-deo.html
"Has it improved my game" - most certainly. If you mean score wise, I doubt it. Now you have to keep a yardage book - something that Jim insist on. That comes with phase II, as I understand it. Here is where your score improves along with your game. Keep at it.
I still have more work to do for sure. I look forward to it and I hope in 3 months and 6 months and a year I can look back and pin point the time I started down the path to scratch golf.
Very good, hopefully the 12 weeks isn't the end of your commitment to the method. I agree with needing JV to critique your individual swing and explain why your perceptions are incorrect. Also for sure...you feet are liars.
Like anything it still takes practice and commitment, there is no magic bullet in golf, no method is going to drop 10 of your handicap by just holding your mouth a certain way, but after about 12 weeks you might self-diagnose...weight or shoulders. I find the misses are actually because I am thinking about one or the other, but with the experience... I can say I could never go back to anything traditional, in fact it is almost impossible to even try a rotational or traditional swing once the pivot...grip...still...pivot...grip...still is so ingrained.
So true Vic! In my club fitting, I was asked to try my old swing. I couldn't LOL. My body couldn't remember it. I will continue this way.
Worse than an infomercial.