Trying to break 80? Nelly Korda has two tips

Golfers using the winter months to practice and try to break 80 have just hit the jackpot.

That’s because world No.1 Nelly Korda, coming off a seven-win season – including a major championship – has offered two tips.

According to the National Golf Foundation (NGF), the average score is somewhere between 94-100.

Most people, however, claim to shoot somewhere in the 80s so, if that’s you, listen up.

Speaking at the CME Group Tour Championship, Korda dropped two tips that will help you go lower on the course.

“A lot of the people that I see who are amateurs never have a stick down on the range,” she said.

“If you don’t know where you’re aiming, there is a high chance you don’t know where you’re aiming on the golf course.”

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Alignment sticks are everywhere these days. Go to a driving range and you’ll be hard pressed to not see at least one.

Of course, you can’t take them out onto the course with you but using them in practice will tighten up your game.

This is one of the cheapest training aids available and can help you nail your alignment and positioning.

Then, Korda says it’s about taking advantage of the work you put in at the range and applying it to real golf course scenarios.

“I see a lot of people stand on the range and just drilling golf balls or just practicing a lot instead of going out and visualising,” she said.

“At the end of the day, golf is a game of creativity and you’re never going to have your A-game. One day the wind will be off the left and one day off the right. The hole will play completely different.

“It’s all about creativity. So going out and playing a lot.”

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Perhaps one for when the weather gets better – and warmer – but noteworthy, nonetheless.

Meanwhile, 11-time LPGA Tour winner Lexi Thompson, who is set to retire from full-time professional golf, also has some advice.

She is another keen advocate of ‘productive practice’.

“I always say the biggest tip that helped the most when I went out and practiced was always having a goal in mind,” Thompson said.

“Always have something you want to improve on. It could be the smallest or biggest of things, the mental side.

“As we know, golf is such a mental sport. Could be working on the mental side and visualising shots.

“Don’t just go out to the golf course and be like ‘I’m just going to hit some balls today or play’. Have a goal, something you want to improve on.

“That way, you’re not wasting any time and it’s always productive practice.”

Just like that, welcome to the 70s.