62toyou

Years ago I commented in this thread that I was happy using a modified JV swing. Until you mentioned CHANNEL LOCK, I hadn't heard of it. I watched some videos and found that because so few were picking up that swing, the guy was not doing anymore videos. I haven't taken Channel Lock to the course, which is the only real test, but I have hit hundreds of shots out of my backyard (to an empty space on the course next to my yard) and I am landing balls in a very tight circle with all irons. Also, some of the drivers I hit were the longest I have hit it years. We have a shoot out this Friday, can't wait. As compared to JV's swing, Channel Lock seems more akin to the "universal" swing I used for many years, so it seems more natural. We shall see.

Your post largely reflects how I used parts of JV's method to improve my game now that I don't play 3 times weekly. My ball flight has turned to a slight fade as a result of the changes I incorporated into JV's method (take the club back a little outside, hold the shoulders shut with a steady head position but not being afraid to let the shoulders turn a little on backswing). For me the changes I made make the whole process seem less unnatural after years of using a swing more like the ones taught by most Pro's. As you say, I now stand on our island hole and swing away with complete confidence.

Well said. This may not be a swing for all, but at least for a few of us it is heaven sent. Even if you do lose distance (I didn't) and your friends look at you oddly (mine did), the total ease of mastering this swing (or an adaptation) makes it all worthwhile. Scoff if you must, but I remain one happy golfer.

http://www.powerchalk.com/video/102708_713C5557-3A6C-6838-BBA3-D83397CF2712/play

I am not looking for a debate, but just to be fair, I will address several of your comments. I had to "re-join" TST because I apparently forgot my earlier username and I could not sign in (old age I guess}. I didn't lose any distance by switching to this swing (e.g. max 8 iron goes 140 yds). To be fair, I said there were lots of videos of Venetos hitting a driver, I didn't say they were posted on TST--see You Tube. I am not a strict adherent to Mr. Venetos's teachings, but I have incorporated many of his ideas into the swing I use. To date no one using a Venetos like swing has played on Tour and to my knowledge no such golfer has tried to qualify. My guess is that it will be some time before anyone dares trying, although there are some out of the norm swings being used at the college and tour levels. The ceiling for odd swings may be changing. Finally, just one man's prediction---There was a well respected golf instructor in Md. whose students all had the most appealing swing one could hope for, the only problem was not one of them ever won a meaningful event. Ergo, my bet is that some time in the future the emphasis will be more on results than on the aesthetics and a Venetos-like instructor will displace some of the guys who have been getting by on manufactured reputations for way too long. Golf on.

I use pretty much this setup/swing and agree that it requires almost no thought once you take the stance. Contrary to some opinion mentioned herein, I have not given up but rather am trying to find a swing that will get me back to the low single digit handicap of my youth (pre-70's), which is slowly happening. I would really like to see a young beginner try this swing, it seems so effortless and powerful that my guess is that a beginner could get pretty good within a year or so. Sadly though, anyone trying this swing as a beginner (and ever as a 76 yr old), would have to be capable of standing up to some well-meaning corrective instructions. Golf on.

I re-joined TST just to comment on the Venetos method. The main reasons cited for assuming that Jim's method is only for the non-serious golfer are: you will lose distance; it will stress your lead side; it won't work with a driver (contrary to comments herein, there are multiple videos of Jim hitting a driver); it will lower the level you can achieve, etc. Why would this method be more likely to stress your lead side than the accepted method of transferring weight to that side? I don't agree with Jim that hitting down on drives is good, but simply by moving the ball slightly forward one can hit up with this method. Also, be truthful, how many players do you play with that actually work the ball to any significant degree (even very low handicaps-at least the ones I play with all the time). If your expectation is to play on a tour, then this may not be your swing, but if you aim a little lower (club championship, etc.) and aren't attaining your goals, maybe giving Jim's method a real go might not be a bad idea. I wish I had found this method when I was younger, but even as a senior player the freedom it gives me in making a repeatable wide swing without a need to worry about where the club is at every point in the swing, is very relaxing and rewarding. The only negative is you will be assaulted by your fellow golfers, up to the point you start winning the bets.