Nelly Korda is currently ranked 2nd on the Rolex World Rankings and has spent a considerable time at No. 1.
I didn’t know much about her except for the Korda name as she turned pro around the time I stopped watching televised golf much, so I decided to check her out after reading a headline about her withdrawal from an event with an injury two weeks ago.
That injury is still unspecified, but I did read that she has suffered neck spasm issues in the past.
I went to look at her swing, and saw just about what I expected to see knowing this – a swing model that would be murder on the back, shoulders and neck.
To start with, her ball position with the driver is absolutely diabolical. I can’t believe it when I look at it. That would be about where I have my wedge ball, no word of a lie:
Second, nearly zero hip turn in that pivot, and looking at her top position makes my lower back and left shoulder area tingle. I know that women are more flexible than men, but I would bet you that this will catch up with her in years to come, barring a change.
Because of the ball position, Nelly has to literally thrust herself backwards with her upper body on the down swing, and the difference between her head positions at address and impact is alarming:
… especially with the speed at which she swings.
Being a great athlete, she instinctively knows what her impact position should be (head over the right side, spine tilting away from the target), but it also works against her with the speed she’s able to generate.
It reminds me of another golfer who suffered back issues and yes, also neck issues:
Tiger Woods 2018
Tiger’s head doesn’t move as much as Nelly’s because of his more appropriate ball position, but that down-and-back motion head motion at high speed is murder on the lower back and neck.
It is amazing to me that a world leader in the game of golf swings in this manner, man or woman. It is an absolute wrecker when it comes to the body.
WAX Golf 
I’ve gotten into basketball in the last 2 years, and see commonalities in technique. I’ve learned energy transfer in shooting is similar to sequencing in golf. The basketball goes up to the set point first, then you jump and release, as to ensure your legs are the primary power source rather than your arm. I know you played bball, and figure you would know what I’m talking about. In regards to how this relates to golf, I can easily see why a restricted hip turn is so awful. I already kind of knew why, but playing basketball reaffirmed my knowledge that I was on point. There’s a transfer of energy requirement, and with a full hip turn, and floating heel, the sequence is correct. Restricted hip turn will create the need for the arms to either get back out in front early, or you get stuck on the downswing. Similar to the jumpshot, where everything moves up at once, or you jump before you get to the set point, both not optimal. The injury thing is important to note with a restricted turn, but also the fact that the sequence is stifled and creates compensations. Idk, just some musings for those interested. 😀
It’s this way with every sport except golf, MMJ – something I’ve been decrying since my earliest years of research.
All other sports focus on mechanics and technique- golf is results-oriented.
To many, it doesn’t matter HOW you get the ball in the hole, and proper mechanics have long gone out the window. You can’t criticize Tiger Woods’ swing models because he won majors. That he broke his body to pieces doing it… crickets.
once you pay attention into how little the legs move in the follow through it’s really hard to unsee. Came across a video earlier of several pros (do not watch golf so don’t know if they were on the tour on not) but all just twisted their upper body and twisted their right leg. No stepping through the swing as used to be the case for pros. Just think of the beauty and healthiness of Payne Stewart, Dunaway, Watson etc I no longer give much credence to the term pro. Sure they may be better than average, but with the shoddy mechanics, and used of amateur/hack equipment, the term to me only means how much money someone makes.
Agreed. Calling these instructors and players “pros” is awkward when they lack even rudimentary knowledge of swing mechanics.
You’ll love this one, AK – the caption for the short is “Nelly Korda’s flawless iron tee shot…”
In the comments:
Some really great analysis there.
hahaha that’s actually a genuinely funny comment. But doesn’t surprise me given the finish. Also, I’m aware that pro 3 holes are a bit longer, but being off balance for an iron on par 3 which would at the very most especially as there’s no wind by the looks of it, would be a 4 iron..really?!
It’s that setup – completely squared feet, then no weight transfer on the back pivot, she can only finish way over her skis with that swing. Far from flawless, and she is obviously very talented to be winning events with this type of swing model.
yh, I wonder often if a few people come on this blog and misunderstand that waxnation doesn’t think they’re bad players, but have dangerous mechanics is all.
The fact that nearly every swinger I profile here is a professional golfer is a testament to their talent. All I care about is the swing model being employed. That’s where it begins and ends for me.
Nelly Korda is a fabulous golfer. So was Tiger Woods. I just happen to hate the way they swing.