Golf Lessons

Steve Schoch

Class A PGA Professional

Highland Meadows Golf Course’s newest team member, Class A PGA professional Steve Schoch was recently selected as Director of Instruction. Prior to joining HMGC, he served as the Head Professional at a Pueblo de Cochiti, Taos Country Club, and Riverview G.C. in New Mexico. Being the primary instructor, Schoch taught over 5,000 private lessons and clinics. A native of El Paso, Texas, Steve was recruited to play golf at Lamar Jr College in Colorado where he honed his competitive playing skills. Inspired by legendary Texas golfers Ben Hogan and Lee Trevino, Schoch developed principal swing fundamentals that he shares with all his students. Having had the opportunity to learn from teaching greats, Ben Doyle and PGA tour player, Wally Armstrong also influenced Schoch’s approach to teaching. Schoch with a history of success in developing Golf Schools and playing programs throughout the Southwest United States and Mexico where he partnered with Mexican Nationals to open Top Golf Academy in Queretaro, Mexico in 2001. Contracted by the Mexican Golf Federation, Steve developed an award-winning junior golf program and a teaching curriculum for Mexican PGA Pros to improve methods of instruction. As a High School golf coach Schoch has enjoyed seeing many of his players go on to successful competitive careers. He has developed a loyal following of students and plans on making a positive impact on HMGC teaching program.

Teaching Philosophy

My passion is golf! I enjoy helping students improve their games. Whether it be introducing a beginner to the thrill of a purely struck shot or helping a competitive player prepare for their next tournament, my most important role, as your coach is to lay out steps to assist you in taking your game to the next level. Anyone can play better golf if given the shortcuts on the road map and after a student knows their Golf IQ and baseline skills, measurable goals be established to help motivate us to achieve good quality results.

Communication is the key to successful lessons and good coaches take 100 percent of the responsibility in making information clear and concise.

As a student of Inner Game of Golf and of sports psychologist Richard Coop, I find teaching students the mental game accelerates consistency, resulting in lower scores and in having more fun.

Swing Philosophy

Golf is a game of imagination. Imagining the shape and weight of the shot as well as the swing to produce it is job one. Now imagine the man with no arms that plays golf. How does he do it? With the inside moving the outside. The Pivot, the body is the machine, and it can produce together with educated hands and light arms a consistent powerful motion.

“You swing best when you have the fewest things to think about” – Bobby Jones

Kipp Bates

Class A PGA Professional

As a “Quarter Century” member of the PGA, Kipp’s passion is golf while enjoying THE outdoors. Highlights in Kipp’s golf career include developing & opening Seven Canyons (Sedona), Four Seasons Resort & Spa Great Exuma (The Bahamas), Running Horse Golf & Country Club (Fresno), The Reserve clubhouse at The Clubs at St. James (NC) & remodeling a small club in Illinois. Additionally, Kipp has enjoyed success managing retail operations during seven PGA TOUR golf tournaments. Some of you may have heard of those events:

• The PLAYERS
• The Hartford Open
• The Phoenix Open

Born in Denver, Kipp and his wife of twenty years moved back to Colorado 2021. Kipp & his wife have two fantastic children.  Their 13-year-old son is showing promise as a skilled junior golfer w/plans to attend The United States Air Force Academy 2030. Their nine-year-old daughter is also showing promise in golf while enjoying lacrosse & horseback vaulting.

Kipp left the golf business for a few years to support his wife’s amazing career. Kipp is gain poised & ready to help YOU find “one true authentic swing…” (Bagger Vance). 

• Men
• Women
• Juniors
• Clinics
• Group Events
• Corporate Outings

Kipp can be reached at www.pga.com/coach/kipp or by scanning the QR code below