Swing Path — Golf Drill

Your swing path determines where the ball goes, but most golfers struggle with consistency because they're missing the fundamental connection between body positioning and club movement. The Jim Venetos Golf Academy has revolutionized how we understand this relationship, teaching golfers that holding weight forward and keeping the chest stable throughout the swing is the key to controlling both path and contact quality. When your right shoulder moves forward toward the ball during the swing, it p

How to practise it

  1. Set up with weight forward and chest stable Position 60% of your weight on your front foot at address. Keep your chest quiet and resist any forward movement toward the ball.
  2. Practice slow motion swings holding your position Make half-speed swings while maintaining weight forward throughout. Focus on keeping your right shoulder from moving toward the ball.
  3. Hit balls with smooth tempo and stable foundation Strike balls at 70% speed, concentrating on holding your weight and chest position. Thin contact means insufficient weight forward.
  4. Progress to full swings maintaining fundamentals Execute full-speed swings while preserving the stable foundation. If you hit toe shots, swing easier to keep shoulders in the shot longer.
  5. Finish with balance holds after each swing Hold your finish position for three seconds after every shot to reinforce proper weight distribution and body control.

What does 'hold the weight' mean and how does it help my swing path?

According to Jim Venetos, 'holding the weight' means maintaining stable weight distribution and balance throughout your swing. This fundamental helps create a consistent swing path by keeping your body position steady, which prevents the club from wandering off plane and leads to more solid contact.

Why do I keep shanking the ball and how can I fix my swing path?

Shanks typically occur when your right shoulder comes forward during the swing, pushing the club outside its proper path. Jim Venetos teaches that when you shank, you should 'hold the weight and swing smooth along the line of your body' to keep your shoulders back and maintain the correct swing path

How can I tell if my swing path is correct during practice?

A good swing path produces solid contact and consistent ball flight. As shown in the Jim Venetos method, when students focus on holding their weight and swinging smoothly, they often experience contact feelings they've 'never felt before' - this solid, centered contact is a key indicator of proper s

How each of them teaches it

Coaches who demonstrate the swing path drill, each linked at the second they start.

  1. Jim Venetos Golf Academy: My Student Needed THIS To Revive His Golf Game! (from 3:24). A diagnostic drill focusing on a deep pivot, holding the chest closed, and maintaining weight on the lead foot to ensure a proper path.
  2. Jim Venetos Golf Academy: New Golfer Training – Using the JVGA Fundamental Drill to Improve the Full Swing (from 2:11). A fundamental drill used to establish proper club path and weight stability by focusing on a deep pivot setup and controlled swing movements.
  3. Jim Venetos Golf Academy: This Is Why I Teach This Method! (from 4:21). A foundational exercise using a deep pivot setup and small back-and-forth swings to reinforce stillness and a closed-chest impact position.
  4. Jim Venetos Golf Academy: He’s Barely Played… and Now He Has to Face His Father-in-Law (from 10:15). Perform hip-height half-swings to calibrate ball flight, alignment, and contact consistency.
  5. Jim Venetos Golf Academy: INSANE progress! Former 16 Handicap Shoots Even Par?! (from 6:10). A practice swing focusing on stillness and a specific path through the ball to avoid throwing the shoulders out of the shot.
  6. Jim Venetos Golf Academy: The Secret to Perfecting Your Golf Swing! (Insane Student Progress!) (from 3:14). A pre-shot routine focusing on a deep pivot setup and holding the chest closed to establish an in-to-out path.

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