How Does Online Golf Coaching Work? An Honest Guide From a PGA Coach
The question I hear most about online coaching is this one:
“How can you coach me if you’re not stood next to me?”
I’ve coached golfers face to face since 2011, so I understand why people ask. But a lesson only shows a coach one hour of swings on one day. Online, I see your swing, your scores, your practice and how all three change from month to month.
This guide covers what you need, what happens each month, and how to film your swing so the coaching is worth having.
In short
- You film your swing on your phone and send it through an app.
- Your coach sends back personal video feedback and a practice plan.
- You practise, send more, and your progress is measured month by month.
What online golf coaching actually is
A coaching relationship that runs through an app instead of a lesson bay.
- You record your golf and send it in.
- Your coach replies with personal feedback: what’s happening, why, and what to do.
- You practise, send more, and the cycle carries on.
What it isn’t:
- a library of generic tips
- a one-off swing critique you never hear about again
- an app telling you your spine angle is “wrong”
It should work both ways. Your coach knows your goals, your scores and how much time you have to practise, and the plan is built around that.
What you need to get started.
- A smartphone. An iPhone gets the most out of the OnForm app I use, including its 3D analysis.
- A tripod or phone stand. A cheap one is fine.
- Somewhere to hit balls. A range, a net, a practice ground or the course.
- Some time. Twenty minutes to film, plus practice time each week.
You don’t need a launch monitor. If you own one, such as a Garmin R10, OnForm can add its numbers to your videos.
How it works, month to month
- Assess. Your whole game, not just your swing: scores, stats, strengths and weaknesses.
- Pinpoint. The one area costing you the most shots right now.
- Coach. Video feedback explaining the problem and the fix, with drills.
- Practise. You work on it, with a plan for how and how much.
- Check in. New videos, questions, reports from the course.
- Re-measure. Test again to prove the change has happened, then move to the next priority.
One lesson rarely changes a golfer. Repeating that cycle does.
“Steve gives very clear advice and this includes how to practice in between lessons. He encourages students to keep records on rounds and practice sessions.”
— Tony Spiers, Google review
What a good swing review should include
Swing reviews vary more than anything else in online coaching.
Some are a two-minute voiceover with a few lines drawn on the screen. That can leave you knowing what’s wrong but not what to do about it.
When I review a swing, the golfer gets two videos:
- The analysis. Your swing slowed down, with my voiceover explaining what’s happening and how it shapes your ball flight.
- The solution. Me demonstrating the fix, with the drills to make it happen.
After any review, you should be able to answer:
- What’s the issue?
- Why does it matter for my scores?
- What exactly do I do in my next practice session?
How to film your golf swing for online coaching
Poor footage means your coach is guessing. This checklist follows OnForm’s own filming guide.
Camera position
- Height: between your waist and your chest
- Distance: about 10–12 feet (3–3.5 metres)
- Level, on a tripod, not propped against your bag
The two angles
- Face-on: camera square to you, pointing at the middle of your body
- Down the line: directly behind you on your target line, pointing at your hands, not your feet
Framing and light
- The whole club in frame from takeaway to finish
- The sun behind the camera, not behind you
- A plain background if you can find one
Make it useful
- Lay an alignment stick on your target line
- Record 3–5 swings from each angle
- Note the club, the target and where each ball went
Two angles, both at waist-to-chest height, 10–12 feet away.
DO THIS
Next time you’re at the range, film three face-on and three down-the-line swings with a 7-iron using the checklist above. Write down where each ball finished. Watch them back before sending anything. Most golfers spot something they’ve never noticed before.
Can short game and putting be coached online?
Yes. They film well, and the most useful information is the result: where the ball finished, and how often.
I use short-game and putting skills games, scored tests that show where you stand and whether you’re improving.
“Had an excellent lesson on putting & my short game with Steve. Got my videos that I can replay anytime too!”
— Tj Mudan, Google review
Is online coaching right for you?
It suits you if you:
- play and practise regularly but can’t commit to a weekly lesson slot
- live a long way from the coach you’d like to work with
- want a structured plan rather than lessons as and when
- like seeing your progress in numbers
It’s probably not the best fit if you’re brand new to golf, or won’t film yourself. In-person or a mix of both may suit you better. I compare them in Online Golf Lessons vs In-Person Lessons.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly will I get feedback? My students get a reply within 48 hours through OnForm.
Do I have to pay for the app? No. Students connected to a coach on OnForm use the app free.
Do I need a launch monitor? No. Video, ball flight and on-course stats are enough. If you have one, we’ll use it.
How long before I see a difference? It depends on the problem, how much you practise and how you apply the changes. Ball flight and contact should be the first things to improve. Anyone promising a set number of shots by a set date is guessing.
Can I have online coaching from outside the UK? Yes. All you need is your phone and somewhere to hit balls.
Want to talk it through?
Book a free 15-minute Online Coaching Introduction Call. We’ll talk about your golf, what you want from it, and whether online coaching is the right fit. If it isn’t, I’ll tell you.
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Written by Steve Thomas
Steve Thomas is a PGA Fellow Coach and has been a PGA Professional since 2011.
He has been named in Today’s Golfer’s Top 50 UK Golf Coaches every year since 2020, writes a monthly feature for the magazine, and has coached more than 15,000 golfers.
He coaches online and in person at Shrewsbury School Golf Studio.
Last updated: October 2026