The runaway leader in the Rolex Women’s World Golf ranking, Nelly Korda, had a five-tourney win streak earlier this season — a surprising burst except to those who have followed her progress for the last several years. The 13-time tour winner and two-time major champ — and gold medal winner at the 2020 Summer Olympics — came out of the gate hot on the LPGA Tour, winning during her first pro season at the ripe age of 20 in the fall of 2018.
Truth be told, Nelly was destined for sports greatness, being the daughter of Czech tennis stars Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtová. That DNA also courses through her LPGA-star sister, Jessica, and their brother, Sebastian, a highly ranked tennis pro.
Nelly’s swing technique is widely thought of as a model of efficiency. In the off case where she misses a green, here’s how she continues that efficiency with a no-nonsense chip swing. Copy her four key moves and card more up-and-downs your next round.
1. Hands tight
Nelly’s hands remain close to her body through impact. Most rec players tend to “shove” their hands toward the target. Try to finish with the butt of the club close to your left pocket.
2. Toss it
Nelly hinges her wrists on the backswing and unhinges them coming down, as if she’s “tossing” the clubhead at the ball. That little bit of hand action gives short shots the finesse they need to land close.
3. Stay tilted
Korda does a great job of maintaining the forward tilt established at address well into her follow-through as she rotates through the ball. Maintain your height like Nelly does.
4. Match lines
Korda preserves the loft on her club by refraining from flexing her left wrist, keeping the club’s scorelines relatively parallel to the center line. Subtle, but very, very effective.
New Orleans–based Brian Manzella is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher who operates the Brian Manzella Golf Academies nationwide.
