Golf IQ Why Bryson and other great drivers hover the club before swinging
Jan 26, 2026
A breakdown of why top drivers lift and hover the club before their takeaway. Short explanations cover tension control, smoothing tempo, and using hovering to level and calibrate setups. Practical testing advice is offered for trying the move at the range.
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Hovering Pre-Activates Grip Muscles
- Hovering the driver pre-activates the hands and forearms to avoid going from zero to full grip pressure at the start of the swing.
- That early muscle activation prevents sudden tension spikes that can harm speed and control.
Hovering Smooths Tempo Conflicts
- Hovering simplifies the tempo decision by keeping the hands engaged so the takeaway is a gradual acceleration, not a sudden pickup.
- Players report a smoother backswing and less conflict between ‘hold’ and ‘move’ when they hover.
Top Players Who Hovered
- Luke lists Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and Bryson DeChambeau as notable hoverers who hit drives well.
- Nick Faldo credited hovering for smoothing his tempo under pressure after watching Jack Nicklaus.
