I watched Nelly Korda’s videos and it reminded me of something interesting about how we study the best players in the world.
Most of the time when golfers want to learn from the pros, the spotlight goes straight to names like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. This makes sense. They are incredible players and there is a lot to learn from watching them.
But if you want to study one of the most consistent players in golf, Nelly Korda is a great place to look.
Her game is built around control, smart decisions and repeated shots. Watching her speak during a few practice sessions recently, three things stood out that are worth copying.
It rarely swings to 100 percent
In a video Korda did with Grant Horvat, she mentioned that a full wedge for her is about 125 yards and can reach about 130 when the adrenaline kicks in during the race. What stood out the most was how she described how she swings the club.
Instead of going all out, she explained that she tends to stay at more than 90 percent with her scoring clubs.
A swing that is slightly below maximum effort is much easier to repeat. Contact becomes more consistent, trajectory is stabilized and distance control is improved. Many amateurs follow the distance, even with a wedge, but pulling back a little can help give you a square face.
She decides how the ball should fly before choosing the club
Another thing that stood out to me is the way she approaches the selection of pots. While most amateurs look at the yard and choose a club, her selection process is quite different.
In one example, she was hitting from about 89 yards with the ball under her feet and the wind was involved. In calmer conditions, she said she could hit a higher shot with a 58-degree wedge to land the ball gently.
However, due to the lie and the wind, she changed the plan. Instead, she opted for a 54-degree wedge and played a more controlled putt to keep the flight lower and reduce spin.
The decision started with how the ball should travel and how it should behave when it lands. Club selection came next. Thinking about trajectory, roll and landing conditions first is a habit worth acquiring.
She practices multiple shots at the same distance
The most interesting insight for me was when she explained how she likes to practice.
Instead of standing on the range and hitting the same club over and over again, she prefers to hit several different shots at the same target. She can hit one with an impact wedge, another with a 54-degree wedge, and another with a 58-degree wedge.
The yardage stays the same, but the trajectory, spin and club are different.
I’ve heard a lot of mixed advice about the most effective way to practice, and the way Korda practices is interesting to me. Many professionals will tell you to never hit the same target twice. For some golfers, this is simply not an effective way to learn.
This approach is a perfect hybrid option. You don’t change the objective, but you change your method and develop skills in a deeper way because of it.
Final thoughts
Working on small adjustments like this can help you gain more control on the golf course. Get information from professionals like Korda whenever you can and use it to your advantage.
Top Top Photo: Nelly Korda has one of the best swings in golf. (GETTY IMAGES/Julio Aguilar)
