Body-Friendly Golf Swing – Venetos
(This is an updated article I originally wrote in SuperiorTrails Golfing)
Hitting slices, getting stuck on your back foot, unable to hit a draw are among the typical average golfer’s complaints. Jim Venetos has developed a simple golf swing that will cure these ills and help you be a better golfer.
Like Brian Sparks’ Golf Swing and Tom Saguto’s swing, the Venetos swing and golf instruction is non-traditional and has fewer moving parts than traditional PGA golf coaching orthodoxy.
The Venetos golf setup is: weight on the front foot, a strong grip, and a closed upper body stance. Venetos believes the closed position, rotated to the left, naturally promotes an inside-out swing path. The weight on the front foot encourages solid contact and hitting down on the ball. The strong grip promotes a draw.
His method eliminates having to shift your weight from your back foot to your front and eliminates all that movement and coordination that occurs from setup to backswing to forward swing.
In the traditional swing, there are lots of body parts having to coordinate. If your rhythm, tempo, and timing is off, so is the striking of the ball. (Tom Saguto’s golf swing attempts to accomplish this same thing but he does it in a different manner.)
Hands & Elbow at the top of his backswing
In looking at some videos of the Venetos swing, I noticed the position of his hands and right elbow at the top of his backswing were very similar to that of Brian Sparks (see pictures on the Brian Sparks Golf Swing Page). Compare the photos below of Venetos’ arm and hands to that of pro golfers Steve Stricker and Fred Couples.
As Jim starts his downswing, the right elbow tucks into his right side very quickly. You’ll see this in the following slow-motion video
Traditional golf instruction would identify the turning and acceleration of the hips and shoulders as important components to an effective golf swing. In this video watch how quiet is Jim’s lower body throughout the backswing and in the beginning of the downswing. The hips play no role in his swing and his shoulders only move as a result of what he is doing with his arms.
Slow Motion Video of Jim Venetos Golf Swing
If you have Trouble Seeing the Video, refresh the page.
You could also click on the Watch on YouTube button in the picture
I gave Venetos a try during a time when I was searching for better solutions after I had knee surgery. I found it helpful in terms of preventing a slice and getting good ball contact. But I had a problem losing the distance I was used to. Might have been something with my body mechanics, lack of flexibility or I just didn’t spend enough time with Venetos to get his technique right.
But lots of golfers have found Venetos helpful (he has several testimonials on his YouTube channel) and it is a simpler swing with less need to twist your body in ways that you may not like. So compared to the traditional swing, it is body friendly. The Venetos setup means fewer moving parts in your swing and less need to concentrate on so many details that need to be done right following traditional methods.
A golfing buddy, Scott Starks, had subscribed to Jim’s online coaching program and recommends the subscription if a person is serious about adopting his method. Two particular challenges are keeping your shoulders closed until after you strike the ball and keeping the body still until you strike the ball.
If you struggle with an over-the-top swing, hitting slices, and inconsistent ball contact the Venetos Swing is something to consider.
Here’s a Venetos Golf Academy video that illustrates his basic setup and swing and the reasoning behind why he advocates these methods.
Having Trouble Seeing the Video: Click on the Watch on YouTube button
See another review of the Venetos Golf Swing style by Tony Brooks – Will the Jim Venetos Golf Academy swing style work for you?
Other Body-Friendly Golf Swing Videos & Reviews
Have you tried the Venetos Golf Swing? What do you think of his ideas? Leave your comments below.
2 thoughts on “Jim Venetos Golf Swing Review”