Simon Bates

About the Candidate

SIMON BATES
PGA CLASS A PROFESSIONAL | GOLF DEVELOPMENT | COACHING | CLUB OPERATIONS
Carshalton, Surrey
07779 944225 | sjbgolftuition@gmail.com
Full UK Driving Licence

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
PGA Class A Professional with over 20 years’ full-time coaching experience, more than 10,000 individual lessons delivered and over 14 years successfully running an independent golf coaching business.

Experienced across golf development, junior and ladies’ participation, player development, member engagement, facility management and golf-club operations. Proven record of developing players who have gone on to represent Surrey, compete for college teams in the UK and USA, and progress into professional golf.

A successful business owner and Partner & Founder of The Golf Studio, Lower Kingswood, developed from a converted building into a professional indoor golf coaching and practice facility. Strong commercial and operational experience includes professional shop management, staff supervision, rotas, cash handling, banking, stock purchasing, customer relationships and managing partnerships within a shared facility.

Currently operate a full coaching diary, reflecting a strong professional reputation, loyal client base and sustained demand for my services.

Now seeking a new challenge within a progressive golf club or facility where I can use my coaching, commercial and operational experience to increase participation, develop junior and ladies’ golf, improve member and visitor engagement and contribute to the continued development of the overall golf offering.

WHAT I BRING
20+ Years of Golf Development Experience
A career dedicated to helping golfers progress from complete beginners through to professional level, with more than 10,000 lessons delivered.

Proven Business Success
More than 14 years successfully running my own coaching business, maintaining a full coaching diary and building a loyal client base through reputation, service and results.

Participation & Membership Development
Extensive experience engaging juniors, ladies, beginners and disabled golfers, creating welcoming pathways into the game and helping golfers progress.

Player Development Expertise
A proven record of developing golfers who have represented Surrey, competed for UK and US college teams and progressed into professional golf.

Commercial Thinking
Experience creating new revenue opportunities, including golf tuition and playing holidays, with three group trips already planned for the 2027 season.

Golf-Club Knowledge
Hands-on experience of professional shop operations, member services, staff management, cash handling, banking, stock control and purchasing.

Facility Development
Co-founded and developed The Golf Studio from a converted building into a professional indoor golf facility, with responsibility for its ongoing operation and the relationships within the premises.

Collaborative Leadership
Experienced in working successfully with PGA professionals, coaches, business partners, independent businesses and customers, with a strong emphasis on communication and professional relationships.

Modern Coaching Expertise
Extensive experience using Foresight launch monitors, TrackMan data, high-speed cameras and video analysis to deliver technology-led player development.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
THE GOLF STUDIO, LOWER KINGSWOOD
Partner & Founder | 2013 – Present
Co-founder and operator of an independent indoor golf coaching and practice facility, developed from a converted building into a professional golf environment.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements
Co-developed The Golf Studio with my business partner, overseeing the transformation of the building into the current high-quality facility.
Developed a professional environment incorporating two dedicated coaching bays, reception area, kitchen, gym space, on-site parking and external signage.
Responsible for the ongoing day-to-day operation and development of the facility.
Maintain a highly cohesive working relationship with business partners, including another golf coach and an independent personal trainer.
Manage the relationship with the personal trainer operating from the facility, ensuring smooth day-to-day operation between the businesses.
Deliver technology-led coaching using Foresight launch-monitor systems, with over 13 years’ practical experience.
Use video analysis and high-speed camera technology to support player development, with more than 15 years’ experience incorporating video into lessons.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of TrackMan data and launch-monitor performance metrics.
Coach golfers from complete beginners through to professional level.
Deliver coaching and taster sessions designed to introduce and encourage participation among juniors, ladies, men and disabled golfers.
Maintain strong relationships with clients, creating a loyal and sustainable coaching base.

SJB GOLF TUITION LTD
Director | 2012 – Present
Independent golf coaching business providing professional tuition and player development.

Built and successfully operated a golf coaching business for more than 14 years, demonstrating long-term commercial sustainability, resilience and customer retention.
Delivered more than 10,000 individual coaching sessions throughout my career.
Currently operate a full coaching diary, demonstrating sustained demand for my coaching services and a strong, loyal client base.
Coach golfers across the full spectrum of ability, from complete beginners and club golfers through to professional players.
Developed junior golfers who have gone on to represent Surrey, compete for college teams in the UK and USA, and progress into professional golf.
Deliver individual and group coaching for juniors, ladies, beginners, disabled golfers and performance players.
Build long-term client relationships through personalised coaching and consistent customer service.
Expanded the business into golf tuition and playing holidays, creating additional golfing experiences for established clients.
Have three golf trips planned for the 2027 season, including a 12-man group, a nine-lady group and a couples’ trip for five couples.

SURREY DOWNS GOLF CLUB
Golf Professional / Coach | 2005 – 2012
Held a broad professional and operational role combining coaching, professional shop management, member services and staff supervision.

Delivered professional coaching to members, visitors, juniors and beginners.
Managed PGA assistants and professional shop staff.
Organised staff rotas and supported the smooth running of the professional department.
Managed professional shop cashing-up and banking procedures.
Responsible for stock purchasing, ordering and stock control.
Developed extensive experience of the day-to-day workings of a traditional golf club.
Built strong relationships with members and visitors through coaching and professional shop services.
Gained valuable experience balancing coaching responsibilities with the commercial and operational demands of a golf club.

PARK WOOD GOLF CLUB
Independent Golf Coach | 2013 – 2015
Operated SJB Golf Tuition from Park Wood Golf Club.

Delivered individual golf coaching to golfers of varying abilities.
Developed and maintained an independent coaching client base.
Provided beginner, intermediate, advanced and performance coaching.
Built long-term customer relationships and repeat business.
Continued to develop SJB Golf Tuition while establishing the foundations for the subsequent Golf Studio operation.

ALISON NICHOLAS GOLF ACADEMY, BIRMINGHAM
Golf Professional / Coach | 2000 – 2005
Began professional coaching career within the Alison Nicholas Golf Academy.
Delivered coaching to golfers of different ages and abilities.
Developed strong foundations in player development and professional coaching.
Gained experience working within an established golf academy environment.

GOLF DEVELOPMENT & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Junior Golf
Extensive experience developing junior golfers from introductory and beginner levels through to competitive and elite golf.

Players I have coached have gone on to:

Represent Surrey
Represent college teams in the UK
Represent college teams in the USA
Progress into professional golf
Ladies’ Golf
Ladies’ coaching and beginner sessions
Group coaching and participation initiatives
Experience creating welcoming pathways into golf
Focus on increasing engagement and retention
Beginner & New Golfer Development
Taster sessions for adults and juniors
Beginner coaching
Men’s beginner sessions
Introduction-to-golf programmes
Supporting golfers through the early stages of their development
Disabled Golf
Experience delivering golf taster and introductory sessions for disabled golfers, adapting coaching to individual requirements and abilities.

Performance Golf
20+ years’ experience coaching golfers across the full range of abilities, including club players, competitive golfers and professionals.

GOLF CLUB & COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCE
Extensive understanding of golf-club operations developed through both employed and self-employed roles.

Experience includes:

Professional shop management
PGA assistant management
Staff rotas
Member and visitor services
Cashing up and banking
Stock purchasing and ordering
Stock control
Customer relationship management
Facility management
Commercial partnerships
Working alongside independent businesses
Business ownership and commercial decision-making
Developing new golf experiences and revenue opportunities

COACHING TECHNOLOGY
Foresight Launch Monitor Systems — 13+ years’ practical coaching experience
TrackMan — working knowledge of launch-monitor data and performance metrics
High-Speed Camera Analysis
Video Analysis — 15+ years’ experience
Technology-led swing and ball-flight analysis
Data-supported player development

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
PGA Class A Professional — approximately 2010

EDUCATION
3 A Levels

9 GCSEs

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Full UK Driving Licence
Member of Kingswood Golf Club
Strong professional relationship with the PGA professionals at Kingswood Golf Club
Trusted to deliver on-course playing lessons at Kingswood Golf Club
Extensive professional relationships within the Surrey golf community

CAREER OBJECTIVE
After more than 20 years, my thirst for this industry is still prevalent and i’m looking for my next challenge. My initial PGA dream of owning a teaching academy has been achieved, but the drive is still there to achieve more. I love all aspects of golf clubs / academies, especially the relationships built in these environments. Whether it be introducing new players to the game or talking golf with the longest standing members its all fun!