Golf Coaching – Everything You Need to Know

Golf coaching might be just what you need to take your game to the next level.

Most professional golfers work with a coach throughout their entire career. This includes Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and nearly everyone you watch on TV. Very few pro golfers have a DIY golf swing, everyone gets help at some point or another. 

Coaching is a crucial part of this sport as there are so many technicalities and mechanics involved. You need to learn about the long game, iron play, short game, and the mental aspect.

Not to mention most of the best players in the world work with sports psychologists and other mental golf specialists.

Needless to say, if the best players in the world get golf coaching for their full swing, you probably should too. Whether it’s a tune up lesson of your current swing, hiring a coach to learn fundamentals, or someone you work with for practice drills.

When it comes to golf coaching, we’ll break this down into two categories; how to start golf coaching and how to find the right golf coach. Whichever category you fall into, Skillest is the number one platform to get you started. 

How to Start Coaching Golf

If you’re reading this section it’s safe to assume that you love golf and want to help others with coaching. But where do you start? How do you find students to work with? How much should you charge? 

These are great questions to ask… 

The first thing you’ll need to decide is if you want to do in-person coaching, online coaching, or both. Each style has their own pros and cons for both players and coaches. 

Let’s review to find which will work best for your business. 

In-Person Lessons

In-person golf coaching is the most traditional model and what golfers think about when booking a lesson.  

This typically includes spending an hour or more on the driving range with players working on specific aspects of their game. Or, even going out on the course for a playing lesson to work on strategy, mental game, and hitting different types of shots. 

Some players love this type of coaching as they enjoy cultivating relationships and being out on the course with a mentor. Certain players also find it easier to implement swing changes with a more hands-on approach. 

A lot of golf coaches like this style of coaching too. It gives them a chance to work outdoors, meet people, and help passionate golfers. 

But there are a lot of downsides to in-person golf coaching.

First, it’s not easy to find a driving range, golf course, or country club to teach students. They’re usually very expensive and make you pay a monthly fee for using the facilities. You might also have to share coaching revenue with the golf club as well. 

Second, even if you can afford a location it’s hard to find new students. If you’re just starting out it’s not always easy to market yourself and your skills to golfers.

This makes it hard to gain momentum in your coaching business and help golfers get results for positive word of mouth.

Lastly, you’re at the mercy of your physical location which might come with some nasty weather. This could mean course closures or a long off season that makes it hard to coach players. 

Not to mention you’ll need to figure out a billing system and buy technology/software too. Luckily, there are more ways to help golfers other than only offering in-person coaching. 

Online Lessons

Online golf lessons are pretty much the opposite of in-person lessons and have very few downsides. This type of instruction is changing the game of golf.

According to the National Golf Foundation, 64% of core golfers watch instruction online (YouTube, Instagram, etc.) or use fee-based platforms.

As the NGF mentioned,

The most engaged segment when it comes to online instruction are 18 to 34-year-olds, with 71 percent of core golfers from this age group saying they watch videos. That figure is 65 percent in both the 35-49 and 50-64 age groups, and falls to 52 percent for the over-65 crowd.

Here’s why remote golf lessons are the future for instructors and players.

First, as a coach you don’t have to find a driving range, simulator, or practice area to set up shop. This saves hundreds of thousands of dollars each month which is great if you’re just getting started. As long as you can find a place to film feedback for students, you can get started.

Second, remote lessons make it much easier to find new students. 

You don’t have to just rely on foot traffic or local marketing to attract students. Instead, you can help golfers who live halfway around the world by promoting your content on social media.

Or signing up for a coaching marketplace like Skillest that connects you with tons of golfers already seeking coaches. 

Third, you can do it on your time at a schedule that works best for you – whether it’s full time or part-time. This is also a huge benefit for players since seasonality or location doesn’t impact who they can work with.

Hybrid Coaching

Finally, some coaches offer both in-person and remote coaching. 

This coaching model gives coaches the ability to work a set number of days at a course or practice facility with the flexibility for online students.

More and more established coaches who previously did in-person only are opting for this model for a few reasons.

First, this works for well established coaches who might have a following from working with pros or a big social media following. Previously, students would have to fly out for a lesson but this model helps players around the world work with a top coach. 

Second, it’s more scalable than in-person coaching. A hybrid coaching style makes it easier to share your tips and tricks with more students even if they aren’t nearby. Plus, you can film coaching videos at your facility on your own time.

Finally, a blend of hybrid golf instruction provides more flexibility. Golf coaches are known to work extremely hard and put in long hours which is mentally taxing and doesn’t allow for much work-life balance. But hybrid coaching is a great way to help golfers and have a more flexible schedule. 

Use Skillest App to Find a Golf Coach

Once you have the skills needed to start helping new golfers it’s time to find them. As mentioned above, in-person coaching is very challenging especially for new coaches. 

With Skillest you can teach students remotely (or in-person) to control your hours and teach for a schedule that works for you. Not to mention our easy-to-use app and video feedback system can enhance in-person lessons too. 

Why choose Skillest as a golf coach?

Global Online Presence

Don’t let your physical location hold you back from sharing your teaching with students around the world.

With your coaching profile page you can gain reviews, ratings, and join the Skillest Marketplace. This connects you with tons of golfers around the world, instantly expanding your reach. 

Contacts and Messaging

Inside your account it’s easy to keep track of all your students. You can send broadcast messages, video, voice notes, photos, and texts. 

Since everything is in one place you’ll never miss a message and stay in constant communication with students. This will lead to a great experience with players and make them more likely to continue to work together in the future.

Advanced Video Tools

Golfers want as much information as possible about their game to speed up the learning curve. With our video tools it’s never been easier to draw, analyze, and make voice-over videos when reviewing swings.

Our system also makes it easy to record student videos to help overcome swing issues and drills. Plus, you can easily create side by side video comparison to help students monitor progress and gain valuable insights about their game.

Easy Billing Process

At Skillest our goal is to make the business side of golf coaching as simple as possible. With our billing system it’s easy to charge for individual lessons and enable subscriptions.

Having more than one billing option helps new students find you and also give players the opportunity to work together for the long term.

This is a win for the student to receive a discount and a win for you as a coach with recurring revenue. You can also offer discounts and free lessons as you build up your student base.

It’s easy to see why top coaches like Sean Foley, Shauheen Nakhjavani, Alex Riggs, and more trust Skillest with their students. 

Did we mention it’s incredibly affordable too? It’s only $49/month and you can get started with a two-week free trial for new coaches. 

Click here to learn more about becoming a Skillest golf coach.

Finding a Golf Coach

Now that we’ve covered what it takes to start coaching, let’s get into how to find a coach. Should you work with a pro at your local golf course?

Watch YouTube videos for swing advice or buy a bunch of training aids? Or, test out online coaching? 

These are all good questions to ask yourself when it comes to improving your golf game. While YouTube and training aids can help fix certain issues, it can overwhelm a lot of golfers.

Going down the “YouTube rabbit hole” can actually make your swing worse if you’re trying to implement too much at once. 

Training aids are a good fix for certain issues but some are a total waste of money and won’t deliver the results you’re likely looking for (check out favorite training aids here). 

When finding a golf coach, one of the biggest choices to make is choosing the in-person route or taking online golf lessons. Let’s quickly compare the two main choices to see which will benefit you the most as a student.   

Online Coaching vs. In-Person Coaching

Both online coaching and in-person coaching have pros and cons for a student looking for help.

Here is what to consider:

Online Coaching

• Extremely convenient.
• Better communication with coaches. 
• Typically, cheaper than in-person lessons.
• Can work with coaches from anywhere in the world.
• Video feedback helps you learn more about your swing and use it for future practice sessions. 

In Person Coaching

• Harder to schedule.
• Not always recorded lessons. 
• Can only work with local instructors (unless you’re willing to travel).
• More expensive but might work for some players thanks to the “hands on” approach. 

Use Skillest to Find a Golf Coach

If you’re ready to improve your game fast with online coaching, you need to get started with Skillest. We are the number one coaching platform and on a mission to connect coaches with players around the world. 

Here’s how to get started so you can find a coach and get to work on your golf game.

Step 1: Download the Skillest App

Start by downloading the Skillest app which is available on the App Store and Google Play. Once you download the app you have a few options; search for golf coaches or go through a questionnaire and we’ll pair you with a great coach. 

Step 2: View Sample Lessons

You don’t buy a new car without test-driving it right? You can do the same before paying for a lesson using our app. We make it easy to view sample lessons to learn more about their teaching style.

If you watch the sample lessons and like them, inquire about an intro lesson or get started with a subscription to save money.

Or, if their communication style doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, keep searching to find the right golf coach. 

If you already know a coach that uses Skillest simply search for them under the coaches tab for a direct link to their profile. Also, each coach sets their own rates based on availability, experience, and other factors. 

No hidden fees here – prices are displayed on each coach’s profile to find one that fits your budget. Whether you’re looking for a coach who works with professional golfers or one that caters to beginners on a budget, we have tons of choices. 

Step 3: Connect With Golf Coaches

Once you find the right coach for your game, you can message them inside the app to get started. Or, if you already have a swing video ready to go, pay for a lesson or subscription and send them your swing. 

You don’t have to wait long to start improving either. We expect our golf coaches to respond within 48 hours but many are much quicker. 

They’ll message you with drills, tips, and a plan to help fix the biggest issues in your swing (or other parts of your game).

Plus, you can download videos they send to your phone or computer for future use. If you do ever find yourself in a slump, having past videos with tips and drills makes it easier than ever to find your swing again. 

Step 4: Start Learning and Improving

Once you hire a coach, it’s time to submit your golf swing with our easy-to-use app so you can start learning and improving. Even if you aren’t tech-savvy, we make it a straightforward, quick process.

After you get video feedback from a coach you can start implementing changes to your swing or game. You can also download videos so you can always rewatch during practice sessions on the driving range or golf simulator. 

Plus, it’s easy to message your coach afterward and share your progress. Or, if you enroll in a coaching subscription keep them updated on your progress. 

Top Questions

How do I choose a good golf coach?

Choosing a golf coach is a big decision but we make it easy with the Skillest app. 

You can easily search for coaches based on someone you might know from social media or based on the issue you want fixed. Whether it’s swing issues, short game problems, or even mental game issues, there is a coach that can help.

Once you find a few coaches it’s easy to find the best choice for you by reading reviews and learning more about their teaching methods.

A lot of coaches also offer sample lessons from past students or a free consultation to answer any questions. Plus, we also offer transparent pricing so you can find the right coach for your budget. 

From there you can send a message to them and sign up for a lesson (or subscription) with ease. Message your coach any questions and submit your video to start working together fast. 

How do I find a golf mentor?

Coaches are an integral part of golf and can help with all aspects of the game. While a golf mentor might be someone locally, online, or even a coach too. 

The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to live in the right location to find a golf mentor. Some of the biggest influences to golfers around the world are golf authors, social media content creators, and even professional golfers.

Take advantage of podcasts, golf books, and YouTube to learn from players, coaches, and experts to hit your golf goals. 

How do I market myself as a golf instructor?

Thanks to apps like Skillest you no longer have to only try and market yourself to local students. But how do you get more people to your profile? 

Start with social media to build your audience and trust with golfers online. Some of the most successful coaches on our platform make short form content (30–60 seconds) and then share amongst platforms.

One short form video can be shared on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok with a few clicks. 

Once people watch your free content, direct them via DM or with a link in your bio to Skillest to learn more about working together. Don’t forget, all it takes is one video to go viral to build a huge following and greatly expand your coaching business.  

How many lessons does it take to get good at golf?

Everyone has their own journey in golf – especially when it comes to mastering the golf swing. Some people have athletic experience in other sports that can help accelerate their understanding of the game.

While others might take a little longer to learn as it is one of the more challenging sports. 

We can’t say it’ll take one, three, five, or even ten lessons to get good at golf. It’s about learning from a coach, putting in the reps in practice, and getting out on the golf course.

How often you can play or practice, injuries, age, and other factors determine how quickly you’ll progress.

Regardless of how long it takes, remember to only compare your swing to the past version of yourself.

Everyone is on their own journey, don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter eight. Enjoy the journey and the great moments that come with golf. 

As Peter Jacobsen once said,

One of the most fascinating things about golf is how it reflects the cycle of life. No matter what you shoot – the next day you have to go back to the first tee and begin all over again and make yourself into something.

Summary

Whether you want to get started as a coach or finding one to help your full swing, Skillest is the best place to begin. We make it easy for new and established coaches to share their knowledge with golfers around the world.

We also make it easy for golfers, new and experienced, to find coaches for any aspect of the game. Regardless of your skill level, online lessons can help your game quickly.

Download the Skillest app today to begin your golf coaching journey.