Viktor Hovland's Driver Swing: A Stable Clubface
Viktor Hovland has a driver face that moves very little. He explains why, what he thinks about on the driving range, and the tip he would give to an amateur who slices: move your hips forward, but only by tilting them sideways.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Viktor Hovland talks about slow closing speed: His face doesn't go from open to closed in an instant; it stays square throughout the swing. At the top, his The left wrist is flexed and his face is turned toward the sky. He also raises his arms very high; in college, his initial movement was outward, and he played a pronounced fade. With the driver, he moves very little side-to-side: he pivots mainly around his right foot and compensates with a lot of’lateral tilt, with his left shoulder rising. The club comes up, strikes the ball on the upswing, and the path veers slightly to the left, resulting in his consistent fade.
Her current thought: in transition, stay a little behind and let the hips open up, whereas with wedges, he works on the opposite motion. For the amateur who slices, he suggests a certain feel: move the pelvis forward to allow for lateral tilt. But he warns: many people simply copy the pelvic movement without tilting, and their path veers even further to the left. He advises understanding your own swing rather than imitating someone else’s.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Film yourself at the top of your swing and watch the alignment of the clubface and your left wrist.
- Aim for a slightly bent left wrist rather than one that’s bent backward.
- On the downswing, notice that you fall back a little at the start of the transition.
- Let your hips extend and your left shoulder rise through the impact.
- If you slice the ball, shift your hips toward the target while keeping your upper body tilted backward.
- Test a few balls to make sure the initial trajectory and spin remain the same.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- A side that opens wide and then has to close very quickly.
- Too much lateral movement without leaning: you'll dive at the ball.
- Move your pelvis forward without tilting it to the side: the path veers even further to the left.
- Imitating a pro's swing without understanding what he's doing.
- Change the driver settings every week.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Video of the top of the swing: left wrist and clubface alignment
- Driver shots with the mindset of “staying back during the transition”
- For the slice: hips forward, upper body tilted, left shoulder rising
- Aim for a unique, repeatable effect rather than the perfect shot
Your Questions
What does “low closure velocity” of the face mean?
Viktor Hovland explains that his clubface doesn't transition very quickly from open to closed: it remains almost square throughout the swing, thanks to his bent left wrist and a closed clubface at the top of the swing.
Why does his left shoulder rise so much?
Since he doesn't move much toward the target, he compensates with a pronounced lateral tilt. His left shoulder rises, the club comes up, and he strikes the ball on the upswing.
Does moving your hips forward really help with a slice?
According to him, yes, as long as you maintain a lateral tilt. Without it, the path veers even further to the left, which makes the slice worse.
Does Hovland adjust his driver settings depending on the course?
No, almost never. He prefers to know how his ball is performing, even if his setup isn't optimal for the week.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Viktor Hovland). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.