Viktor Hovland – driving accuracy
2.
The Norwegian is not only pretty accurate with the
big stick, but he’s fairly long, too. The key to his accuracy is the position he gets the club in at the top of the backswing. His right elbow points vertically down to the ground and sits close to his torso. As a consequence, it causes his left wrist to bow over slightly, which in turn marginally closes the face (it looks towards the sky).
It’s a position that could cause hooks, but he starts the clearing of his left side quickly, and he pulls forcefully with his left arm. As a result, his left forearm leads into impact, which ensures the clubface can’t return to a closed position.
With the left arm leading, the hips clearing fast and the clubhead path travelling quite quickly to the left of a straight line to the target, he’s able to hit a very powerful drive – and one that tends to move from left to right.
This can be difficult for amateurs to emulate. However, if you have a tendency to hook the ball, try setting up on the right side of the tee box. Pick a spot 200 yards down the left edge of the fairway, aim at this target and just open the clubface a fraction. Your body alignment should be a little open to this aim line (not parallel left). Swing normally and try to hit your aim point. With practice, you should groove a nice, safe fade.