Online Lessons
I’ve noticed a lot of questions regarding online lessons so I thought I’d demystify them a bit and go over what exactly an online lesson entails and some of the pros and cons.
Background
I’ve been getting online lessons with Ryan Mouque on the Skillest App for about two months now.
I was skeptical at first having never done an online lesson. Honestly, the only reason I tried it was because Ryan had a promotion on Twitter offering a free analysis. I figured there was no downside so I uploaded my swing and to my surprise the next day I received a complete 7-minute breakdown video. I was sold. (Btw he still offers the free analysis)
I won’t bury the lead, I’m a huge fan. Obviously, I’m a huge fan of Ryan, but I’m now a huge fan of Skillest and the online format in general.
What is Skillest?
Skillest is a platform or marketplace that pairs and connects golfers to expert golf coaches.
Simply download the app and start searching for coaches.
As you can see in the picture below, there are tons of golf coaches to select from. Some even specialize in specific areas like full swing, putting, and course management.
The prices and options vary from coach to coach. But in general, coaches offer a 1-time lesson fee or a monthly subscription with different tiers. Prices are on par and often less than an in-person lesson.
The subscriptions usually include multiple lessons per month at a lower per-lesson rate. Different tiers offer various levels of support such as 24/7 chat support, zoom calls, and/or practice plans.
How do you use Skillest?
Download the Skillest app on your phone
Select your coach
Pick your plan and pay (i.e. 1 lesson or monthly subscription)
Upload 1 DTL (Down the Line) and 1 FO (Face On) swing
That’s it! Wait for your coach to analyze it and send back the videos
What does an online lesson entail?
It starts out with explaining either in a video or through text where my game is at, how you are swinging, and any issues or tendencies you’re experiencing. Upload a couple of swing videos and in about a day or two (often less), you’ll receive two videos.
The first video is a video split screen with Ryan analyzing my swing. Instead of describing it here is a sample of one of our lessons:
The second video is Ryan demonstrating what he was talking about in the first video along with prescribed drills. Here’s a sample of that:
Each video is usually around 6 to 8 minutes. And of course, you can use the chat function to ask questions and make sure you are on the right track.
Pros
The most obvious benefit of online lessons is convenience. I’m still amazed at how easy it is versus in-person lessons. I’ve had some in-person lessons, and usually, it requires finding a coach, scheduling a time that works for both of you, driving 15 to 20 minutes (at least), and then a month or two going by before I have time to go again.
With online, I can take a video in under two minutes while at the range or even on my garage net. Boom done. The next day I have my lesson. The convenience leads to more frequent and consistent lessons, which is key to making sustainable improvements.
Another benefit is having communication with your coach in between lessons. If you're experiencing issues, have questions, or need some clarification you can just ask your coach. This is like having a real-time positive feedback loop. No more waiting 3 weeks to ask your in-person coach why you're slicing it off the moon.
Finally, I really like having the analysis and drill videos at my disposal. Watching my lessons while practicing at the range has been extremely helpful. Having the video is a good reinforcer but also helps me remember key points that I might have otherwise forgotten.
Cons
I can only think of two cons. If you're not a fan of using technology then this probably isn’t the best option. Not that it’s hard to figure out, but some people prefer the real thing and I get that.
The other con is you can’t get real-time feedback that you get from a live coach. That said, I think the flip side is the online coach has more time and tools at their disposal to diagnose your swing. But still, the fact remains it’s not live real-time feedback.
Wrap Up
As you can already tell I’m a believer in the format. For convenience alone, I think online is a winner.
Throw in the fact that you have access to thousands of coaches from around the world, plus 24/7 communication and all at a price that’s on par or better than most in-person coaches.
I highly recommend giving online lessons a try at least once. I’ve seen quite a few coaches that I follow on Youtube that are on Skillest as well. Take a look and see what coach fits you best.
If you have any questions about online lessons, videoing your swing, or using the Skillest app feel free to email me at the2ndcut@substack.com or comment below.
T2C Discount Offer!
Use the code below in Skillest to get 25% off a monthly subscription with Ryan Mouque:
Code: xLgGtvvf
Keep an eye out for Skillest discounts during Majors. The Open is coming up and they usually run good promos.
Have a good weekend and thanks for reading.
Very informative newsletter. For many years I just used the "grip it and rip it" concept. Reading this issue has given me some very good insights on improving my game. Thanks.
Any recommendations on a good device (clip? tripod?)? for getting the phone setup to record? Ideally as small/unobtrusive as possible. Hate the idea of having some huge tripod setup at the range..