How Online Golf Coaching Actually Works

When I tell people I coach golfers online, the most common response is scepticism. "How can you fix someone's swing without being there in person?" It's a fair question — and one I was asking myself before I started coaching online nearly a decade ago.

The short answer: online coaching works remarkably well. Here's the longer answer.

Online coaching is not watching a YouTube video and hoping for the best. It's a structured, personalised coaching relationship delivered through video technology.

Here's what the process looks like in my programmes:

When you join, you submit a set of swing videos — typically a face-on view and a down-the-line view for each club we're working on. I analyse these in detail, identifying the root causes of your ball-flight issues rather than just the symptoms.

This is where online coaching has a genuine advantage over in-person lessons: I can watch your swing frame by frame, draw lines and angles, and compare your positions to reference points. In a 30-minute in-person lesson, there simply isn't time for that level of analysis.

Based on the assessment, I build a coaching plan specific to your swing, your goals, and your schedule. This includes:

• The specific faults we're addressing (in priority order)
• Drills and practice exercises with clear instructions
• A practice schedule that fits your available time
• What to focus on during your rounds

This is the engine of improvement. You submit new swing videos regularly — weekly or fortnightly depending on your plan — and I provide detailed video feedback on your progress.

You can see exactly what's changing, what still needs work, and what to focus on next. This feedback loop is what separates online coaching from just reading tips online.

As you improve, the plan evolves. Faults get fixed, new priorities emerge, and the coaching adapts to where you are in your development. Some of my students have been with me for years, continuously refining their game.

This depends on your starting point, how much you practise, and how consistently you engage with the coaching. But here's what I typically see:

Within 4–6 weeks: Clearer understanding of your swing faults, initial improvement in ball-striking consistency, better practice habits.

Within 3 months: Measurable improvement in ball-striking, noticeable reduction in big misses, lower scores in casual rounds.

Within 6–12 months: Significant handicap reduction for committed students, reliable technique under pressure, a clear understanding of your own game.

My online students have an average review rating of 5 stars across nearly 1,000 lessons. The results are real — but they require genuine commitment from both sides.

Online coaching is particularly effective for:

• Golfers with limited access to quality instruction — whether you're in a regional area or simply can't get regular lesson time with a PGA professional
• Busy golfers — you engage with the coaching on your schedule, not around lesson availability
• Golfers who want to understand their swing — the video analysis process builds genuine understanding, not just temporary fixes
• Golfers who travel — your coaching travels with you

A few things that make a significant difference:

Video quality matters. Film from a stable position (a tripod or propped phone), at hip height, with good lighting. Face-on and down-the-line views are essential.

Consistency beats intensity. Submitting videos regularly and practising the assigned drills consistently produces far better results than bursts of intense activity followed by long gaps.

Ask questions. The coaching relationship works best when it's a conversation. If something isn't clear, or you're struggling with a drill, say so.

Be patient with the process. Swing changes take time to ingrain. Trust the process, focus on the practice, and the results will follow.

I offer several online coaching plans to suit different budgets and levels of commitment — from a single swing analysis to ongoing monthly coaching with weekly check-ins.

View my coaching plans and find the option that fits your game and your goals. I'd love to help you play the best golf of your life.