At times this season, Viktor Hovland’s iron game has been strong enough to keep him on his toes. In just eight measured rounds, he has won by more than seven shots on the approach and posted a top-10 finish.
However, the driver? This has been the club that has made him work to keep his head above water.
So when a video surfaced of Hovland on the range wearing inflatable swimming pools strapped to both arms, it didn’t seem entirely coincidental.
It looks funny.
It’s also kind of great.
Just keep swimming
pic.twitter.com/AgWNMiknuu
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) February 14, 2026
What swimmers actually do
Some of the smartest players and coaches I know use random objects to make a concept golf club.
Golf “feels” are difficult. When something is a little off, exaggeration can make the correction obvious. Just look Justin Rose in range of motion with his pump drill.
Call them floats, floaties or whatever you prefer. They are there to help Hovland recreate a feeling he has been struggling to find.
He said he felt he was pulling his arms too aggressively in transition and losing the space he was guarding. When that space disappears, the swing narrows. The club can tip and with a driver in the hands, it will turn into a big mistake.
Grades create a physical barrier. If the wings collapse from the inside, he’ll know it. This obstacle encourages alignment, better structure and a swing that works around the body.
Conceptually, it’s not too different from placing a Tour Striker ball or a headgear between your forearms. The difference is that swimmers exaggerate the feeling. I love that they stick with you. You can think about the swing itself instead of trying not to drop the headgear or squeeze a ball. It helps maintain speed and making practice translate to the course.
Final thoughts
Getting better at golf usually starts with looking a little worse.
In Hovland’s case, it just happens to look like open swimming at the YMCA.
Regardless, who are we to say that’s not exactly what he needs? It may seem silly. It might work too.
My 11 year old son has been itching to start his first business. I’m starting to think that a box of inflatable floats at driving distance might just do the trick.
If you need a pair, let us know.
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