In the high-stakes world of professional golf, the line between breaking through and just breaking through is a thin one. So what really separates the players who rise to the top from the rest? One of the game’s most accomplished brother duos was involved.
Forward LPGA Ford Championship Presented by Wild Horse, Nelly and Jessica Korda offered a window into what separates the elite from those who still struggle to make the cut—and shared hard-earned advice every newbie needs to hear.
The Korda sisters’ tips for beginners
Nelly Kordaever astute, he reminded newcomers not to second-guess themselves or question whether they belong on the course. A lesson that athletes in all sports can relate to.
“Knowing who you are. Everybody’s pretty good,” Nelly said. “The talent here is getting deeper and deeper and at the end of the day it’s just comfort, not comparing yourself to others and sticking to your routine that you’ve found works.”
Jessica Korda also shared some practical knowledge and helpful observations from her years competing on the LPGA. The message was simple: don’t change your game.
“I always tell newbies, don’t change anything, especially the first year,” she said.
Jessica explained that while it’s natural to feel pressure to make changes, it usually hurts more than it helps. The six-time LPGA champion has seen it countless times: new faces come in, experiment with new equipment, modify their swings and work hard on the range in hopes of gaining an advantage. The result is often burnout before they hit their stride.
“I’ve been on tour for a very long time. That’s the one thing you always see,” she said, “You’re like, ‘Oh, she’s going to burn.’ You just look at the pattern. It’s very similar year after year.”
Instead, Korda asks beginners to trust the process that brought them to this level. The key lies in refinement, not reinvention. Improve the game that got you here, embrace your routine and find confidence in your movement.
“Keep improving those things,” she said, “As Nelly says, her comfort.
“There’s a reason you came out here. You’re good enough to be here.”
While uncertainty and learning to trust yourself are part of the startup journey, Korda notes that some personalities handle the pressure better than others.
“Girls who have a little bit more swagger, a little bit of arrogance — they’re the ones who tend to get through it,” Jessica Korda said.
Age and experience also play a role in this uphill battle.
“They’re young. There’s a lot of uncertainty, (they’re) still growing into who they are. Once they realize that, you see them roll with it,” Korda noted.
For beginners facing the relentless challenge of the tournament, the key is to remember to trust your game, stay grounded and learn to embrace the pressure. That comfort under fire is ultimately what gives players the edge to rise from good to great.
