Hovering clubs off the ground

[ole gray]

Today at the Honda Classic they were talking about how Rickie Fowler raises his clubs off the ground before taking them back. Jack Niclaus who did the same was asked why.  He said it helps you strike the ball first when the club is elevated.  I know sometimes from a grounded position, I hit stuff while dragging the club back and I have to back off.  What's your take on hovering clubs at address?

[Liberty Ball Markers]

I do the same. As Tiger would say, it engages my muscles...

 

Which seems true - the full weight is already being supported instead of resting, so the take-away is much smoother.

 

I started doing that with my putter way back when, and have since started doing it with every club.

 

 

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[bullldog]

I do with tee shots Driver or iron. Thinkin more of this : guess I do on almost every shot. Except putting or some chips

[JBones]

I know sometimes from a grounded position, I hit stuff while dragging the club back and I have to back off. What's your take on hovering clubs at address?

I do the same thing and sometimes I can't stop, which leads to an absolutely horrible shot. I will have to try hovering to avoid this.

[ole gray]

I do the same thing and sometimes I can't stop, which leads to an absolutely horrible shot. I will have to try hovering to avoid this.

 

I imagine it will take a few rounds for it to feel second nature however if it helps with consistency, throw me in that wagon and let's ride it to success...

[Big Canoer]

I also hover the club when addressing it from putter to driver.

Basically you have the same grip pressure (in theory) as you take the club back. If it rests on the ground you of course have to go from a relaxed grip to a firmer grip to lift it thus always changing it as you take it back.

 

 

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[dru_]

I went to hovering earlier this year while I was trying to rediscover how to hit the ball straight.  IT has helped a lot, on a lot of levels. I still suck though...

[StrokerAce]

... are you worried about hitting the ball thin if you hover the club too much?

 

anyone try the Kuchar method where he hovers and then seems to tilt his body back a little bit??

[silver & black]

I've done it from the start. I wouldn't know how to swing with the club grounded...lol.

[ole gray]

I'm gonna hover that sucker today!

 

 

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[Liberty Ball Markers]

I'm gonna hover that sucker today!

 

 

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Just don't over do it - just barely off the ground so you have the weight of the club in your hands.

 

 

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[ole gray]

Just don't over do it - just barely off the ground so you have the weight of the club in your hands.

 

 

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It feels kind of strange right now however I will keep experimenting with it.

 

I think maybe today I was picking the clubs up a bit too high

 

 

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[dru_]

The big thing for me, is it forces me to stabilize my body before the take away. The secondary part to this, is that I slowed my take away down a good bit along with it. These two things combined have helped me largely eliminate my long time nemesis, the push + slice. The problem I still run into occasionally, about 3 months into this change is that every now and again, I will setup and address the ball with the ball close to the heel of the club too close to the ball, and subsequently swing through and just shank the hell out of the ball hitting it on the hosel.  I know better, but sometimes years of habit still sneak in.  The last three weeks recovering from an injury didn't help much.  

I also admit that I still struggle with lining up to play a slight draw after years of pushing and slicing balls, and that particular mental challenge continues to cost me strokes.

[Liberty Ball Markers]

That's interesting - I also have a slow take-away, and a deliberate pause at the top. When I do those things consistently, everything falls in place.

 

 

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[JBones]

Tried this today.  The first swing doing it, I thought I thinned a SW from 103, until it backed up 10' after the 2nd bounce.  The few times I remembered to do it, I flushed the ball perfectly.  It's going to take a while to get used to it, but I like the results.

[Big Canoer]

It feels kind of strange right now however I will keep experimenting with it.

 

I think maybe today I was picking the clubs up a bit too high

 

 

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Just like alien8cow stated, don't overdo the hovering. With driver hover it 1/2 inch above ground so full weight is in your hands. With irons I again am about 1/4 inch above ground and putter is the same. Key is to not have to squeeze your hands to lift the club on the takeaway. That engages your hands small muscles along with forearm muscles at the same time you are rotating back which for most players results in too quick a backswing resulting in who the hell know what, probably 🦆hooks or slices.

 

 

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[ole gray]

Just like alien8cow stated, don't overdo the hovering. With driver hover it 1/2 inch above ground so full weight is in your hands. With irons I again am about 1/4 inch above ground and putter is the same. Key is to not have to squeeze your hands to lift the club on the takeaway. That engages your hands small muscles along with forearm muscles at the same time you are rotating back which for most players results in too quick a backswing resulting in who the hell know what, probably 🦆hooks or slices.

 

 

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Thanks buddy. I'm playing today so I'll give it some range time

 

 

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[MattF]

I slowed my take away down a good bit along with it. These two things combined have helped me largely eliminate my long time nemesis, the push + slice. 

 

I slowed mine down as well and it certainly helps me.

 

I also have a slow take-away, and a deliberate pause at the top. When I do those things consistently, everything falls in place.

 

 

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Exactly like my swing...sometimes I think paint dries faster than my take away, but it helps me hit the ball straight.

[Kenny B]

I slowed mine down as well and it certainly helps me.

 

 

 

Exactly like my swing...sometimes I think paint dries faster than my take away, but it helps me hit the ball straight.

Hank Haney sure wouldn't like that!!

[MattF]

Hank Haney sure wouldn't like that!!

 

F&%K him.   

[Kkaw1988]

Hmm I guess it depends on the situation but I have always grounded except with my driver. Maybe time for a slight adjustment

 

 

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[Severtheties]

Thanks buddy. I'm playing today so I'll give it some range time

 

 

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Well? haha

[ole gray]

Well? haha

 

I didn't do too well with it however I'm not giving up.    

[AssistantPro]

I had a pro once tell me that hovering on the tee box, and the fairway with longer woods and irons helped get solid contact and reduce friction on the back swing, essentially keeping everything in perfect timing

 

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