"Amateur Scores Are Decided by 'Par Saves' Not 'Birdies'... Why Short Game Matters"

[Interview] 'Short Game Specialist Coach' Pro Kim Gyutae

Interview_Kim Gyutae Golf Lesson Pro./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Yongin=Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] "What determines an amateur score is not ‘birdies’ but ‘par saves.’ That is why the short game is important."

As demand for a systematic coaching system grows with the expansion of golf’s base, there is a person gaining attention as a ‘Short Game Coaching Specialist.’ He is Pro Kim Gyutae (32), who began full-fledged short game lessons last March.

Amateur scores are determined by ‘par saves,’ not ‘birdies.’ That’s why the short game is important.

On the 22nd, at a short game specialized practice facility in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Pro Kim Gyutae briefly explained the importance of the short game. "The average number of birdies per round between pros and amateurs differs by only about 3 to 4. Pros average 4 to 5, while amateurs average 0.9. But when you look at the scores, there’s a 20 to 30 stroke difference." The key to the stroke difference is the ability to seize ‘par save’ opportunities.

Curious about why he chose the path of a short game specialist coach, he shared that like many golf hopefuls, he dreamed of becoming a tour pro until about ten years ago but quit his playing career without stepping onto the regular tour stage. He then embarked on training in the United States to become a coach. During his U.S. training, Pro Kim studied for a year under PGA Tour putting instructor Coach Steven Sweeney, who has coached players such as Lee Kyunghoon, Joaquin Niemann, Aaron Wise, Sergio Garcia, and Shane Lowry.

What surprised him most was the local coaching system.

"It was like a general hospital where specialists from various fields gather." He explained that specialized coaches subdivided by fields such as swing, putting, and approach guide the players. "In Korea, most often one coach is responsible for all areas of a player. Short game specialists are only about one in ten."

Pro Kim said, "If one coach has to cover everything from swing to putting, there is absolutely not enough time to deeply study each area," adding, "It is also realistically a big burden to purchase all the new equipment for coaching every field."

Interview_Kim Gyutae Golf Lesson Pro./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

When Ok Taehoon, whom I coached putting, called to thank me after winning, I almost cried

He is the one who coached the short game of Ok Taehoon (24), who won his first career victory this year at the Asian Tour ‘International Series Korea’ just four years after his debut. Ok Taehoon is a player who, despite having winning-level skills in the golf world, always showed disappointing putting. "I was happy that the focused improvement with Ok on his weak putting paid off. When he called to thank me, I almost cried. It was the most rewarding moment since I started specialized coaching."

Pro Kim also gave a simple short game tip to the golf novice reporter. "It is important to establish clear personal standards such as address and swing size. Amateurs generally don’t practice much. If you practice within consistent standards, it will be relatively easier to gauge distance," he advised.

For the short game, consistent swings with various clubs are better than just one or two clubs

He especially emphasized caution against practicing with only one or two clubs due to lack of time. "If you try to perform various swings with one club, you have to change your posture," he said. "Using various clubs while maintaining a consistent swing is an easier method," he shared as his tip. He also actively recommended using short game specialized practice facilities. Pro Kim added, "It is difficult to strategize based on terrain and grass length with practice only on mats. Practicing at a short game specialized facility once or twice a month will greatly help in actual play."

Interview_Kim Gyutae Golf Lesson Pro./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

"My long-term dream is to nurture specialized coaches in various detailed fields," he said, adding, "It won’t happen overnight, but I want to raise the status of Korean golf by introducing advanced coaching systems."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.