Golf Instruction

 

At Forest Highlands Golf Club, our golf team is passionate. Each and every encounter from the golf shop to your private lesson is filled with a commitment to excellence. We create programs to help you increase your skills and challenge your performance. We want you to be surprised and delighted at how far you can expand your game using teaching techniques that fit your individual needs. 

Meadow CourseCanyon Course

Exceeding Expectations and Building Skills!

Golf Instruction

We would like to share with you some of the golf programs we have to offer members of different golfing abilities. Starting with our tournaments which provide a variety of competition and fun, whether you are interested in competing as an individual in our Club Championships or being a part of a team in our prestigious Ladies’ Swingfest Invitational or Men’s Highlander Invitational. We also offer some fun social and family events such as our Couples Nine & Dine Scramble and the Putting Club.

If you are looking to improve your golf game, we have several instructional programs for men, ladies and juniors. These programs range from group clinics to individual private lessons. Some of the clinics are designed for beginners up to the advanced player. If you prefer private lessons, our Director of Instruction, Justin Klemballa, can customize a golf program to meet your needs.

Top Skills

Our Instructors

The instruction program has had great success over the years by providing all members and their guests a wide assortment of learning options that will give players of all levels the ability to learn the game of golf based on their individual needs and desires.
Stephen

Matt Bailey

Director of Golf

 

Growing up in Scottsdale, Matt started playing the game of golf at the age of 12. He started working at Coronado Golf Course picking the practice range after school. He played four years on the golf team at Coronado High School and continued to play competitively for two years at Scottsdale Community College. During this time Matt worked in the service area at the Phoenician, Desert Highlands, Troon Country Club and Forest Highlands. He loved the golf business and knew this was going to be his career.

In 1991, his second year at Forest Highlands Golf Club, he registered for the apprentice program with the PGA. In the winter months he worked at Troon Country Club and in 1992, he was promoted to first assistant. This gave him an opportunity to work year-round at one facility.

In 1996, Matt was married to Shannon, received his class “A” membership into the PGA of America and was offered the Head Golf Professional position at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver, Colorado. Three big wonderful life changes in a year. During the ten years he was at Pinehurst Country Club, he served on the Colorado Section PGA Board of Directors, served on the Colorado PGA Foundation Board of Directors, was the Chairman of the Teach a Thon for inter-city kids, served on the Rules committee, Awards committee and Finance committee, and was awarded the Merchandiser of the Year for Private clubs. Matt rejoined Forest Highlands as the Director of Golf in 2007.

The most proud moments of his life were the birth of his three daughters Taylor, Katherine and Caroline.

 

Justin K

Justin Klemballa, PGA

Director of Instruction

 

Justin is joining FHGC after teaching two full golf seasons at Paradise Valley Country Club during the winter seasons. Prior to joining PVCC Justin worked for Jim McLean Golf Schools as a Director of Instruction and Lead Master Instructor for six years. His teaching background is supported by studies in the Jim McLean System, the PGA of America, the Golfing Machine, Neuro Learning for Golf, Trackman, US Kids Golf, and Mental Management Systems. Justin is ranked by Golf Digest as one of the Top 100 Best Young Teachers in America, and is one of only two instructors in the state of Arizona that is on this list. Justin has expertise in working in the four main areas of the golf game including Full Swing, Short Game, Management Game, and Mental Game. He also has ample experience working with beginner, intermediate, advanced, lady, gentlemen, and junior golfers.

If you’d like to see a few videos of Justin’s golf tips please visit his YouTube channel.

Meghan Whittaker

Meghan Whittaker

Head Golf Professional

 

I grew up in Duluth, Minnesota where my father introduced me to the game. I graduated with a Golf Management degree and Business Minor from University of Wisconsin – Stout, while playing on the Women’s Golf Team. Through the golf management program, I was able to intern at Northland Country Club in Minnesota and Rock Creek Cattle Company in Montana.

My first Assistant Professional job was at The Citrus Club in La Quinta, CA before moving to Park City, Utah. In Park City, I spent five years at Promontory Club starting as an Assistant Professional then moving up to Lead Golf Professional, along with being the buyer for four of those years. I also spent one year at Park Meadows Country Club before moving to Denver, CO where I was an Assistant Golf Professional and Retail Manager at Cherry Creek Country Club. My passion is golf! I love running tournaments as well as merchandising and teaching.

If I am not at the golf course, I spend my time in the outdoors with my two dogs and making art. I am an avid skier and snowboarder; during my first two off seasons in Park City I was a ski instructor.

I look forward to a great season and getting to know all of the members!