Mike and Sandy LaBauve, both nationally ranked golf instructors, join the golf instruction staff at Talking Stick Golf Club November 1, 2020. They will complement the world-renowned VISION54 team led by Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson. This creates a team of five of Golf Digest’s “Best Teachers in State”, three of which are in the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame, at one location. “Our mission is to provide your best golf experience. Our team prepares players to perform and gain confidence to tee it up with anyone, everywhere, said Steve Leonard, PGA General Manager at Talking Stick Golf Club.
As a unique husband and wife team, Mike and Sandy have taught and coached golf in the valley for over 35 years. Mike, a recognized player in the Southwest Section and Teacher/Coach of numerous PGA, LPGA and Mini Tours, works mainly with players striving to play at an elite level. Sandy, Founder of the LPGA USGA Girls Golf Program, is a Premiere Instructor for Recreational Golfers. Mike and Sandy share a common goal: “Why not: Play better, have more fun, and play more.” They offer a fresh and athletic approach to improvement. They look at all your tools: your technique, equipment, and how you manage your skills on course. “Performing at an elite level means you have to trust your game. It has to hold up under pressure,” according to Mike. “We always build on your strengths and help refine skills to help you play your best golf. It is all about choosing the level of golfer you want to be and getting there,” said Sandy.
Pia Nilsson commented, “We are thrilled to have our good friends, Mike and Sandy LaBauve, joining us at Talking Stick Golf Club. Their accomplishments and awards speak to their innovation and excellence in the golf-teaching world. They have mentored and guided many young teachers to learn and develop their teaching and coaching skills. It is a passion we share with them.” “Mike and Sandy’s approach to teaching technique is sensory based. They help you see, hear and feel what you need to play your best golf. We share synergy in our coaching styles,” Lynn Marriott added.
“We have great respect for Lynn and Pia and believe in the entire VISION54 team. They are the top performance coaches in the country because they pay attention to the human skills a player has and how that affects one’s play on course. ” said Sandy. “Reliable technique is important but you have to manage your mindset as well to really play your best golf. We will all be coaching golfers to perform better when it counts by helping you to overcome whatever has been holding you back,” added Mike. Mike and Sandy have been recognized as Golf Digest and Golf Magazine Top 50 Instructors and as well as South West PGA Section Teachers of the Year. Together they have been awarded five National Honors from the PGA, LPGA and National Golf Foundation.
“Mike and Sandy have the credentials and compassion to help students improve. They educate, inspire and will bring out the best in you and your game,” said Steve Leonard. “We are honored to have them on our team at Talking Stick Golf Club and further enhancing the golf experience within the Talking Stick Entertainment District. It’s a further commitment that we strongly believe in growing the game.”
