Mike LaBauve: The Short Game is Key

It’s probably the most common intonation uttered by golf instructors all over the world: “The short game is key.” And, like anything repeated ad nauseum, the students for whom the tip is intended are most likely ignoring the saying just as quick as teachers can say it. But if you ask golf instructor Mike LaBauve about it, he’ll tell you that ignoring the tip is tantamount to burying your head in the sand.

For Mike LaBauve, mastering the short game is a nigh impossible task, but it’s a task worthy of undertaking all the same. Going long is easy enough. Accuracy is difficult to get on the longer balls, but almost anyone has the ability to generate a lot of power in a drive. Case in point: go to a driving range and you’ll see all sorts of hobbyists and general fun-seekers just out there hitting balls. It’s an accessible part of the game, and it’s probably the most exciting for the average hobbyist. But if you want to get good; if you want to improve your game and really start approaching par, you need to work on your short game.

Mike Labauve says that the key to being good at golf is the mastery of two basic shots: a low running shot and a high shot. The low shot is a shot where you can hit a bit lower on the ball for different trajectories and spins. It’s something that can be hit with several different clubs, and Mike LaBauve says this is an important part of golf. He also stresses the importance of the high shot. If you’re in the sand bunker – it happens to the best of golfers – you’re going to need to get out. The best way is a high shot with a sand wedge, requiring a bit of wrist action and pivot. Mike LaBauve says the best way to think of it is as a smaller version of your regular swing.

In conclusion, Mike LaBauve maintains that a good drive is important, as is power and accuracy. But your short game is what will set you apart from the average golfer.

Additional Resources

Short Game Golf Tips
Tiger Woods Golf Secrets
More On Golf (Wikipedia)