Online Golf Coaching vs Golf Lessons: Which Is Right for You?
If you want to get better at golf, you have two real choices: lessons in person, or coaching online.
I do both every week, so I see what each one is good at and where each one falls short. This guide sets them side by side so you can pick the one that fits your game, your diary and where you live.
In short
- Choose in-person lessons if you live within reach of Shrewsbury or Telford, want hands-on feedback with TrackMan 4, or are starting out.
- Choose online coaching if you live further away, play a lot, or want regular feedback without travelling.
- Many golfers do both. My monthly plans combine face-to-face lessons with video reviews in between.
What in-person golf lessons give you
A face-to-face lesson is one hour, one golfer and one coach. In my studios in Shrewsbury and Telford, every shot is measured on TrackMan 4, so we see club and ball data the moment you hit it. I film your swing, we agree on one priority, and you leave with a clear plan. Your lesson video follows within a couple of days.
The big advantage is speed of feedback. If a change isn’t working, I see it on the next ball and we adjust there and then. That makes lessons in person the best choice for beginners, for golfers making a bigger change, and for anyone who learns best by feel.
It also covers what a phone can’t film. A 9-hole playing lesson at Wrekin Golf Club lets me walk the course with you and see your decisions, your routine and your club choice under real pressure.
What online golf coaching gives you
Online coaching runs month to month rather than one hour at a time. You film your swing on your phone and upload it. I send back two coaching videos: one analysing your swing with my voice-over, and one showing the fix and the drills to do it. You get my reply within 48 hours.
Because it runs every month, I see far more than one hour of swings. I see your swing, your scores, your practice and how all three change. That suits golfers who play and practise often, and golfers too far from Shropshire to come to the studio. It is open to golfers anywhere: the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond.
Between videos you get a personal practice plan, Skills Games to test the skill you are working on, and messaging for questions as you practise. Here is how online golf coaching works, step by step.
Side by side
| In-person lessons | Online coaching | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Shrewsbury, Telford, Wrekin | Anywhere you play |
| Feedback | Instant, on every ball | Two coaching videos within 48 hours |
| Technology | TrackMan 4, video | OnForm video and 3D analysis |
| Between sessions | Lesson video, practice plan | Practice plan, Skills Games, messaging |
| On the course | 9-hole playing lessons | Scores and stats reviewed |
| Price | £85 a lesson | From £99 a month |
Which suits your game?
In-person lessons usually suit you if…
- you live within about an hour of Shrewsbury or Telford
- you are new to golf, or coming back after a long break
- you want to feel a change with a coach watching every shot
- you want help with decisions on the course, not just your swing
Online coaching usually suits you if…
- you live outside Shropshire, or travel a lot
- you can film your swing at the range or in the garden
- you want regular feedback as you practise, not one lesson every few months
- you like a plan to follow and a way to measure progress
DO THIS
Write down the last five rounds you played and where most of the shots went: tee, approach, short game or putting. Bring that list to a lesson, or send it with your first online video. It tells us where to start.
The option most golfers miss: doing both
For golfers who live nearby, the best results often come from mixing the two. My monthly plans give you one or two face-to-face lessons a month, plus swing video reviews in between, messaging, and the members area with your practice plans, Skills Games and stats. Plan 1 is £70 a month and Plan 2 is £130 a month.
Whichever route you choose, it is the same system: we find where your shots are going, pick the one change that matters most, coach it, and prove it with data.
Frequently asked questions
Is online golf coaching as good as lessons in person? It is different rather than better or worse. In person, feedback is instant on every ball. Online, I see more of your golf over time. For golfers who practise regularly, online coaching can work just as well.
Do I need a launch monitor for online coaching? No. A phone on a tripod is enough. If you have a launch monitor, send me the numbers too.
How much do golf lessons cost in Shropshire? A 60-minute lesson with TrackMan 4 is £85. Monthly plans start at £70 a month, and the 90-minute assessment is £129.
How much does online golf coaching cost? Online Performance Coaching is £99 a month. A one-off Single Swing Review is £99 with no subscription.
Can I switch between the two? Yes. Same coach, same system, so you can move between them or combine them.
Not sure which is right for you?
Book a free 15-minute Online Coaching Introduction Call and we’ll work it out together. If you live in Shropshire, you can book a lesson instead.
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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