Nelly Korda Explains The Secret Behind Her Perfect Golf Swing

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Nelly Korda Explains The Secret Behind Her Perfect Golf Swing

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated May 5, 2026 4:18 PM ET

Nelly Korda has ridden a smooth swing to a dominant 2026.

After struggling last year, Korda has resoundingly bounced back to finish first or second in each of this season's six LPGA Tour events. The 27-year-old is coming off consecutive triumphs at The Chevron Championship at Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba.

Korda has seemingly crafted the perfect swing, but the three-time champion insisted that wasn't always the case during a Monday appearance on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show.

"If you looked at my swing from 2013, you would be like, ugh, that is so gross," Korda said.

Korda credited coach David Whelan and her parents for fine-tuning her swing over the years.

"They spent so many hours with me just working on tempo," Korda said. "That is the one thing that they ingrained in my brain."

A specific trick helped Korda get the pace just right. The Olympic gold medalist explained that her father would say "Coca-Cola" as a signal to maintain her rhythm.

"It was super simple," Korda noted, "but it was the key to having a very fluid swing."

"Golfers are crazy"

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Korda knows when the slightest elements of her swing are out of whack. However, she finds herself returning to her usual methods.

"I see all of the smallest of pieces in my swing," Korda said. "Like, I see if it's late off, or if I'm a little bent over, or if I'm a little too tall. But I always revert back to the same tendencies."

With that said, the world's top-ranked golfer discussed a minor detail currently holding her attention.

"I have higher shoes, so I'm trying to actually get closer to the ground with my chest," Korda explained. "... It's literally like the smallest of things, but golfers are crazy. I'm crazy."

Korda reflects on 2026 turnaround

Korda went from stockpiling seven victories in 2024 to going winless last year. That slump has given her a new perspective on her current success, which she attributed to her mindset and life away from the game.

"I just feel like I'm living my best life, and I think that correlates to my on-course play," Korda said. "... I think I'm just maturing and realizing that I need to really enjoy these moments. That it's not going to last forever."

While some slumping competitors make drastic changes, Korda kept her same team and caddie.

"No matter what happened, the same people were riding it out with me," she said. "And that gave me a sense of comfort that, OK, I can definitely get through this. We're all in this together and, no matter what, I've seen so many athletes bounce back."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: