Teaching “PRO” File – Jim LaBuda
Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, I’ve always had a passion for golf. I played on the golf team in college and worked various retail positions within the industry while obtaining my bachelor’s degree in finance. I became a Certified Golf Teaching Professional through the USGTF in the spring of 2007. I began teaching part-time for all skill levels for juniors and adults. I have also run various clinics through community education for several school districts. I continued to further my education and knowledge and have now been certified through the USGTF in the areas of golf course management, golf psychology and fitness. I am also a certified Rotary Swing instructor.
In 2016, I was awarded the distinction of being one of the Top 100 golf instructors through the WGTF. While living in Buffalo, New York, I was an assistant golf professional at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, New York, the head women’s golf coach at Niagara University, and the head men’s golf coach at Medaille College.
Currently, I reside in Bradenton, Florida, and I am a Golf Performance Coach at IMG Academy. My teaching techniques are unique to each person. I strive to individualize each lesson based on ability and needs to achieve what it is you want from the game of golf, whether it be for competitive golf or just for a social or fun aspect. I incorporate physical fitness techniques for flexibility and strength, as well as mind and spirit into each lesson, to achieve your desired goal.
Teaming with Jason Kokrak, Kevin Na and his partner won the recently completed QBE Shootout to end the 2022 season for events consisting solely of PGA Tour players, albeit an unofficial event. After a slow start to his career in terms of winning, Na has now tasted victory in five official PGA Tour events, beginning with the 2011 event in Las Vegas and with his most recent win in the 2021 Sony Open of Hawaii. The latter victory made it four wins in the past 3 1/2 years for Na, who, while not a superstar, has become a steady presence on the leaderboards.
Na turned pro at the age of 17, eschewing college golf. Most observers still think that playing college golf, at least for a couple of years, is the best path to make the PGA Tour, but Na’s success, and that of many DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) players, shows that talent will prevail in the end. Although Na is 39, he seems to be a relatively young 39 and it’s a good bet he’ll win a few more times before all is said and done.
