Understanding Viktor Hovland Height: A Practical Guide

How Tall Is Viktor Hovland?

Viktor Hovland stands 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), according to his official PGA Tour profile. That places him about two inches below the tour average of 6 feet. But if you’re a golfer around his height and wondering what it means for your own game, the real question isn’t “how tall is he?”—it’s “how does he make that height work, and what can you learn from it?” This guide walks through the practical steps: from checking your own setup to adjusting your swing expectations and knowing when you’re on the right track.

Step 1: Measure Your Own Setup Accurately

Before you compare yourself to Hovland, get your own height and posture data right. Stand barefoot against a wall, use a flat object on top of your head, and mark the wall. Measure from the floor. Write down two numbers:

• Your height in inches
• Your wrist-to-floor measurement (stand straight, arms relaxed, measure from wrist crease to floor)

Why wrist-to-floor? Because Hovland’s upright swing is partly a natural fit for his proportions—5’10” with standard arm length. If your wrist-to-floor measurement is much longer or shorter than typical for your height, your neutral swing plane will differ. This is your baseline.

Step 2: Compare Your Swing Plane to Hovland’s

Hovland’s compact, upright plane is a direct result of his height and proportions. To see if you’re in a similar zone, record a down-the-line swing video. Look at the angle of the shaft at address and at the top of the backswing. If your hands are too high or your shaft is too flat, you may be overcompensating.

Action: Stand a clubhead-length away from a mirror or camera. Set up as you normally would. If your spine angle is closer to vertical than 45 degrees, you’re already in a similar upright posture to Hovland. If you’re hunched over, you may need to stand taller—common for taller players but also a mistake for 5’10” golfers trying to feel “power.”

What If You’re Shorter or Taller than Hovland?

If you’re 5’7″ to 5’9″, your neutral swing plane will be slightly more upright than Hovland’s. That’s fine—look at Brian Harman (5’7″) who uses an extremely repeatable, upright motion. Your priority should be upper-body stability, not trying to lengthen your arc.

If you’re 5’11” to 6’1″, you’re closer to Jordan Spieth or Max Homa territory. Your arms will naturally hang lower, giving you a flatter plane. Trying to force Hovland’s upright move can lead to early extension or a steep downswing. In that case, shift your reference to a taller player’s swing.

If you’re under 5’7″ or over 6’2″, Hovland’s mechanics are less relevant mechanically, but you can still learn from his lower-body rotation and sequencing (see Step 4).

Step 3: Verify Your Ball-Flight Results

Hovland’s height does not hurt his distance or stopping power. Before you make any swing changes based on his model, check your own numbers with a launch monitor (or at least observe trends on the course):

• Distance: Hovland averages 310+ yards off the tee. If you’re 5’10” and hitting under 240 yards, the problem isn’t height—it’s likely inefficient rotation or poor strike location.
• Launch angle: Hovland launches his irons high. If your iron shots land hot and roll out, your launch angle may be too low. A more upright swing can help, but only if your weight transfer supports it.
• Spin rate: Ideal iron spin for a 5’10” player is around 6,000–7,000 rpm for a 7-iron. If you’re spinning it 8,500+, you may be flipping. If under 4,000, you’re delofting too much.

Success check: After making one adjustment (e.g., standing taller at address), hit 10 shots with a 7-iron. If at least 7 of them produce a trajectory that holds the green and carry distance stays within 5 yards of your baseline, the change is working.

Common Failure Mode: Overextending the Backswing

A frequent mistake among average-height golfers trying to copy Hovland is trying to swing longer. Hovland’s backswing is not short—it’s compact, with his hands just past shoulder height. But some amateurs feel they need more power and stretch their arms past parallel, which throws off timing and leads to fat or thin shots.

Symptom: You feel you’re rotating harder, but ball speed drops and contact moves toward the toe.
Likely cause: You’re over-swinging the arms, which forces the lower body to stall and the hands to flip.
Safer next move: Slow down the backswing to 75% of your normal pace. Focus on keeping the left arm connected to the chest (for righties). That’s Hovland’s real secret—not arm length, but chest rotation.

When to Stop DIY and Get Professional Help

If after three practice sessions of intentional posture and swing-plane work your ball-striking gets worse (more slices or hooks, loss of 10+ yards, or increased mishit rate), stop. You may be fighting your natural proportions. In particular:

• Stop threshold: If you develop pain in your left shoulder (right-handed) or your lower back after trying a more upright setup, you are likely exceeding your mobility range. Hovland’s posture works for his body, not necessarily for yours.
• Escalation: Book a clubfitting first—lie angle adjustment may fix more than a swing change will. A 1–2 degree upright lie can mimic the effect of a taller stance without altering your natural plane. If that doesn’t help, see a PGA professional with experience in body-type-specific swing models.

Quick Reference: Height Comparison Table (Top 10 Players in OWGR)

Player	Height	Swing Style	Key Takeaway for Your Game
Scottie Scheffler	6’3″	Tall, leverage-driven	If you’re tall, emphasize ground force
Rory McIlroy	5’9″	Compact, explosive	Similar to Hovland; rotation is key
Jon Rahm	6’2″	Powerful, steep	Steep works if you have hip turn
Viktor Hovland	5’10”	Balanced, repeatable	Benchmark for average-height players
Patrick Cantlay	5’9″	Smooth, rhythm-based	Tempo matters as much as plane
Xander Schauffele	5’10”	Efficient, versatile	Same height, all-around solid
Max Homa	6’1″	Longer arc, tempo-focused	Taller players need more arc control
Matt Fitzpatrick	5’10”	Technical, precise	Study his iron play, not just swing
Brian Harman	5’7″	Shortest top-tier player	Upright is fine; don’t fight it
Jordan Spieth	6’1″	Creative, erratic	Taller, but success is about timing

Hovland sits in the 5’9″–5’10” sweet spot alongside McIlroy, Fitzpatrick, and Schauffele—players who win with technique over height.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Viktor Hovland considered short for a professional golfer?

At 5’10”, he is shorter than the PGA Tour average of 6’0″ but far from unusual. Multiple major winners are the same height.

Does Hovland’s height affect his distance off the tee?

No. He averages over 310 yards per drive, ranking near the top 20 on tour. His power comes from efficient lower-body rotation, not a long swing arc.

What is the ideal height for a PGA Tour professional?

There is no single ideal height. Hovland (5’10”), McIlroy (5’9″), and Harman (5’7″) all prove shorter players can be elite. Success depends on swing mechanics, flexibility, and strength.

How does Hovland’s height compare to Bryson DeChambeau?

DeChambeau is 6’1″ (185 cm), 3 inches taller. He uses a longer arc and extreme strength to generate speed. Hovland relies on rotation and timing instead. Both work, but they require different training approaches.

Can I exactly copy Viktor Hovland’s swing if I’m also 5’10”?

Not necessarily. Wrist-to-floor measurement, arm length, flexibility, and strength all affect your optimal swing. Use his height as a starting point, but verify with launch monitor data and video.