PGA Professionals at

CHRIS COLES - Head PGA Professional

Chris began his role as Head Professional at Saltford Golf Club in March 2021. Chris has been a part of the professional team for 10 years where he has worked his way through his PGA training to leading a team of PGA Professionals, providing top level service in the golf shop, coaching availability all year round and help and advice to all golfers visiting our club. 

In his early playing years, Chris represented the Somerset County junior teams before turning Professional in 2014. Chris played competitively when he turned Professional and had some great results on the PGA West region. He was fortunate to be coached himself by the late Gordon Brand Jnr who passed on a huge amount of knowledge and inspiration to help both Chris' playing development and coaching skills. 

During his career so far, Chris has worked with the juniors at Saltford Golf Club developing a strong junior section, and is therefore recognised as one of the top junior coaches in the area. This has led to him becoming highly involved with coaching Somerset County Junior Squads including the Somerset Boys U12s. He also takes huge pride in the work he has conducted with the Bath Rugby Foundation, providing disabled young people the opportunity to try golf for the first time and be involved in fun activities.

Chris is dedicated to continuous personal development and therefore has taken additional courses to become a qualified Mind Factor Coach. He was fortunate to spend time with leading sports psychologist Karl Morris to undergo his training and can therefore not only help with your golf swing, but assist with additional psychological coaching that is extremely important in the game of golf. Chris has invested in a state of the art performance studio with GC Quad launch monitor which can be used in his golf lessons, providing his clients with a high class experience. The technology is great for all levels of ability providing as much or as little data as preferred for each individual.  Chris is proud to be a Titleist Staff Ambassador which allows him to use the latest equipment that Titleist have to offer and help advise and sell the latest equipment. 

Qualifications:

- PGA Level 2 Qualifed 

- Accredited PGA Professional 

-  Qualified Frankly Golf Putting Instructor

- Qualified Mind Factor Coach

- Somerset Future U12’s Boys & Girls Futures Coach

- Leadbetter Teaching & Coaching Accredited

- Teaching with Technology Accredited

- GC Quad Owner & User 

- Titleist University Level 1 

JOE BRAY - PGA Professional, Putting Specialist & Somerset County Ladies 1st Team Coach

Joe has been attached to Saltford Golf Club since 2008.  His career so far has included playing full time golf, delivering a high level all round golf tuition and promoting golf equipment and golf travel.  He became Head Custom Fitter in the South of England with SeeMore Putters before becoming a Director of Golf South West, specialising in bespoke golfing teaching holidays and breaks. 

In 2017, Joe took the leap to turn professional and embark on his 3 years worth of PGA Training with The PGA & University of Birmingham. This enabled Joe to expand his knowledge greatly within all golfing areas but focused within golf coaching & custom fitting. Furthermore, Joe also has previously expanded his knowledge within a representative and promotional role with Srixon Golf, this has has enabled him to gain experience on the European Tour with some of the best players in the world working at European Tour events such as The BMW Championship at Wentworth and Welsh Open at Celtic Manor. 

Joe also has a strong intrest and is highly certified in putting and short game tuition, he is a Level 2 Capto Coach and owner of Capto Putting System. Joe Lead Coach for Somerset Ladies 1st & 2nd Team, a role which he is very proud of being in. Furthermore, Joe is currently working as county putting coach with the Somerset U16 & U18's Team. 

In recent years Joe has developed a large coaching client base, working with beginners and EuroPro tour players alike. To complement his coaching, Joe is also a keen user of HackMotion & Foresight GC Quad to help you get the most of your coaching and learning with technology. 

Qualifications:

- PGA Level 2 Qualified

- CAPTO Level 1 & Level 2 Certified

- Qualified Level 2 SPI Putter Fitter

- Eyeline Putting 2.0 Certified

- Part of the Phil Kenyon Putting Academy

- CAPTO Putting System Owner & User

- Hackmotion Wrist Sensor Owner & User

TOM SNELLING - Shop Supervisor and PGA Training Professional

Tom joins us from Wells Golf Club where he started his journey to become a fully qualified PGA Professional. He is currently in his third year studying a Foundation Degree in Professional Golf Studies at Birmingham University which will enable him to gain membership to the PGA once completed.

Tom has gained a lot of experience within the golf industry having previously worked for American Golf, Tony Valentines Golf Centre and most recently Yonex Golf where he worked as a Demo Day Representative travelling the country hosting Demo Days for golfers to get expertly Custom Fitted for new equipment. Tom has an in depth knowledge of Custom Fitting and specialises in Golf Ball fitting which is often a misunderstood area of the game.

Tom has recently been promoted to Shop Supervisor, putting to use his experience and knowledge of the golf retail industry to assist Chris in the day to day running of the Pro Shop.

Tom will be looking to play a lot of golf and to compete on the South West PGA circuit with hopes to climb the Order of Merit tables and continue to develop his skills in the hope of winning a few tournaments and beating the other Professionals at Saltford.

Tom has developed a strong coaching method focusing on using simple, easy to understand instructions catered to each individual and encourages anyone who wishes to learn more about the game of golf or who would like to improve their game to get in contact and book a lesson today.

Qualifications:

- ASQ Level 1 and Level 2 Golf Coaching

- Colour Path Level 1 Certification

- P.E.A.K Level 1 Certification

- Titleist University Level 1

JAMIE LAKE - PGA Training Professional

Jamie has been with Saltford now since May 2021. He is currently in his third year at Birmingham University doing a Foundation Degree in Professional Golf Studies.

Jamie has a keen interest in product technology and custom fitting and has been expanding his knowledge in these areas by completing his Level 2 with the Ping Academy and Level 1 with the Titliest University. Jamie has also attended a course in the Art of Club Fitting with Diamond Golf Academy to further his knowledge. He has established himself as one of the regions best custom fitters, backed up by excellent performance gains for players choosing to get fit by Jamie.

Jamie has helped to grow the Junior section and enjoys taking sessions to build their skill level and progress into the Junior teams.

Jamie has a strong passion for golf coaching. He has spent time developing his coaching style and boasts players from around the county who seek his advice on all aspects of the game. No matter the level of golfer whether it’s a complete beginner or tournament golfer, each lesson can be tailored to any aspect of the game and will always include the use of video analysis to help improve your golf.

Qualifications:

- ASQ Level 1 and Level 2 Golf Coaching

- P.E.A.K Level 1 Certification (Foresight Golf)

- Ping Academy Level 2

- Titliest University Level 1