Viktor Hovland recently spilled the beans about his tough 2024 season, calling it the worst of his career. He confessed that trying to tweak his swing even after being told not to change anything had totally backfired, leaving him feeling like he’d lost control. It’s surprising, given his history of successfully fine-tuning his swing. But now, Hovland’s hard at work with new coach TJ Yeaton, determined to get his game back on track. You’ve got to admire his honesty and grit. And now, it seems another pro golfer has been listening in – and he’s got some words of wisdom to share with Hovland.

In the latest YouTube episode of Cookie Jar Golf, golfer Padraig Harrington dished out some sage advice to Viktor Hovland, cautioning him about the dangers of being too honest about his golf swing. Harrington knows a thing or two about being under the microscope – he’s been there himself, with people constantly analyzing his every move. “I’ve listened to Victor Hovland during the day, you know, talking about not liking his golf swing and the changes he’s making, and things… And I’m just screaming, ‘Don’t do it, Victor! Don’t do it! You’re trying to be honest, but this is going to haunt you for the rest of your life”, he said. And let’s be real. It can be frustrating when others think you’re making drastic changes when, in reality, you’re just trying to tweak a few things.

Harrington’s advice to Hovland was simple: don’t give people too much ammo. If you’re too open about your swing, and then you have a bad game, people are going to jump all over you, saying “I told you so!” Harrington had been in those shoes before, and he knew how annoying it could be. He recalled his own experience, where talking about his golf swing and changes led everyone to think he was doing something different. However, he was doing the exact same thing he had done every year throughout his career. His sole focus was on continuing to try and get better. Despite this, people still criticized him, claiming he had changed everything in 2009. Harrington maintained that he had done nothing different, sticking to the same approach he had used in 2008, 2007, and every other year.

“This was just being honest. Sometimes being honest can be a dangerous thing that will come back many, many times… Because it came back to me, and it’s very frustrating,” he continued. So, his advice to Hovland was to just focus on his game and not worry too much about what others think.

Yes, Harrington has struggled with his fair share of scrutiny and judgment from others, but that doesn’t stop the golfer from helping those around him.

Padraig Harrington shared his golfing wisdom

Last year, per GOLF Originals, Padraig Harrington was no short of a golf guru. In fact, since then he’s become known for his willingness to lend a hand and share his expertise with fellow golfers, regardless of their skill level. As he noted the golf swing basically is the baseball swing, and in both you’re swinging a stick at a ball. This unorthodox approach has made him a beloved figure on the golf circuit. He’s also not afraid to speak his mind, as seen in his hilarious interaction with an amateur who was struggling to make a decent swing. Harrington bluntly told the amateur, “You look incredibly unathletic,” but then proceeded to offer helpful advice, instructing him to make a horizontal baseball swing with a golf club.

Harrington’s passion for golf is infectious, and his ability to break down the game into simple, understandable terms has made him a natural teacher. As he said that he liked pro-ams, that pro-ams helped me with my own golf. His love for the game is evident in everything he does, and his generosity of spirit has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and fans alike. With his recent induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Harrington continues to inspire and motivate others to reach their full potential, both on and off the course.