Viktor Hovland making surprise change to aid AimPoint reads

Viktor Hovland is set to make two equipment changes in a bid to hole more putts, including a surprising change of footwear.

The Norwegian star, who has missed two cuts in four starts this year, is reported to be switching back to Nike golf shoes which he last wore in 2023. He will also put his Ping DS-72 putter back in play at this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.

That’s according to Espen Blaker of Eurosport, who interviewed Hovland ahead of his first start since the Genesis Invitational.

Blaker reports that Hovland has placed an emphasis on his short game in the last two weeks and that he’s hoping the equipment tweaks will help him make more putts.

“I’ve gone back to some old Nike shoes,” Hovland said.

“I feel I can read the slopes of the greens better with my feet. They are so light, and actually a bit unstable, compared to the Puma shoes I’ve been using for a while now.

“These are the ones I’ve played with for much of my career, so I’m very familiar with them. I feel like I read the greens much better, which makes me much more comfortable with the ball.”

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At the start of 2024, Hovland was announced as a Puma footwear athlete. He wore the brand’s popular Ignite Articulate model.

However, it now looks like Hovland is set to wear a pair of Nike Roshe shoes, the kind he had on his feet when he made his breakthrough to the PGA Tour in 2019.

The 27-year-old is one of many players who uses the controversial AimPoint green-reading technique, where you use your feet to feel the slope on the greens.

As well as that, it looks like Hovland’s iconic putter’s short time on the sideline has come to an end. The DS-72, which the six-time PGA Tour winner has used throughout his PGA Tour career, was replaced by a centre-shafted Ping Oslo putter.

However, it looks like the old faithful will return this week, after Hovland said he feels more comfortable with it on the greens.

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“The putter I used in Genesis was nice, but it was also different. I haven’t had much time to practice with it, and during tournaments, under pressure, I just got a little unsure.

“Then I thought that when I was going to put in the time to practice putting again, I might as well go back to the old one. The putter wasn’t the problem, so it feels good to go back to something you trust.”

Hovland has made a slow start to 2025, with short game proving to be a struggle. He’s ranked 175th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Around the Green, while his putting performance ranks 138th in the equivalent stat. In 2024, it was a similar story for the Ryder Cup star, as his off the tee and approach play was superior to his short game stats.

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Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor