‘Coca-cola': Nelly Korda explains the secret behind her smooth tempo

Nelly Korda hits an iron shot into a par-3.Getty Images

Fresh off her 18th LPGA Tour win at the 2026 Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, Nelly Korda joined the Pat McAfee Show on Monday to discuss her recent major championship victory, her dominance in the game and even the evolution of her swing.

But the most valuable takeaway came when Korda revealed the key to her famously fluid swing.

When asked by McAfee about how her swing has changed since she started playing, Korda was quick to credit her swing coach, David Whelan, who she explained has played a critical role in shaping her current swing. Korda also placed emphasis on the early influence of her parents, saying it was a simple swing cue from her dad that has helped her maintain her smooth tempo throughout her career.

“[My parents] spent so many hours with me just working on tempo” Korda said, “that is the one thing they ingrained into my brain. My dad always referred to it as “coca-cola…”

What started as a simple childhood cue for building rhythm became the foundation of Korda’s entire swing. Her “coca-cola” mantra isn’t about literal timing, but about preventing any sense of rushing. By anchoring her tempo to that easy, two-beat cadence, she developed the sequencing needed to swing smoothly.

“That was the key,” she continued, “It was super simple but it was the key to having a very fluid swing.”

If you want to build this into your swing, start at half speed. Make a few practice swings focusing only on a steady rhythm, not mechanics. Once that feels natural, gradually add speed while maintaining your tempo.

You can use your transition as a checkpoint. If your swing feels jerky or rushed as you start your downswing, your tempo is probably off. Remember, good swings stay smooth through that change of direction.