My 4-Month Journey of Unlimited Online Lessons with Ryan Mouque on the Skillest App. Check him out on the link below!
Please note that while my experience with Ryan on the Skillest App was unique, not all online lessons are conducted through Skillest, and your own experience may vary.
Some context
I was new to lessons (1 face to face prior).
I have never had an online lesson before.
I am very confident with technology: recording and clipping short videos.
I want to learn and court new learning experiences that challenge me!
I was open to exploring MY golf swing.
I know I have so much to learn and tried to 'wipe the slate' clean, when I started.
I understood that learning takes time.
I am committed to practising a minimum of once per week with balls and every day on drills and feels.
I am committed to playing a minimum of once per week.
If you are not nodding along to each of the statements above, some, most or all of my experience may differ from yours!
Getting Started
Before subscribing to the lessons, I decided to send a video of my swing for a free analysis. I had no expectations and was simply curious to see what feedback I would receive. Surprisingly, within 24 hours, I received a detailed analysis of my video. The feedback was straightforward and easy to follow, giving me confidence that online lessons would be a good fit for me.
Throughout the process, communication with Ryan was excellent. He promptly answered my questions, and I felt assured about moving forward.
Choosing the Subscription
After reviewing the membership options, I determined that an unlimited lesson plan would best suit my current goals and starting point. Here's what was included in the plan:
An unlimited number of lessons throughout the month.
A 30-minute Zoom call to conduct live lessons and discuss practice strategies, course management, and game improvement.
24/7 support through the chat feature between lessons.
Detailed analysis of my swing with clear instructions on areas for improvement.
Customized drills tailored to my specific needs, accompanied by explanations on how to perform them.
A training/practice plan to guide me during my practice sessions.
To start our journey together, Ryan and I had an introductory Zoom call. During this call, we discussed my goals, time availability for practice, and how our lessons would be structured.
Recording and Sending Videos
The next step involved recording another swing and sending it to Ryan. It was crucial to position the camera correctly to get an accurate assessment of my swing, including the setup and takeaway. To achieve this, I set up a small tripod with my phone at the range. Using the Ultra Wide mode, I aligned the camera with my hands, double-checking its position. This step was vital for reliable analysis. Once ready, I hit around 5 or 6 shots while recording. Afterwards, I used the photos app on my phone to trim the video.
However, it's important to note one downside of online videos: the coach can only see what you choose to show them. In my case, for the first video, I sent the swing that I thought was my best out of the bunch. In a face-to-face lesson, the coach can observe both the good and the bad aspects of your swing. Cherry picking at its finest!
Using the Skillest App
The Skillest app made the entire process effortless. It operates similarly to messaging apps like iMessage or WhatsApp. To share my videos with Ryan, I simply clicked on "Add video" and selected the video from my phone. I tried to provide as much information as possible about the ball flight and any issues I was experiencing, such as shots starting left and fading right, occasional heavy shots, or pulls.
Within 12 hours, I received my first video analysis and a drill to work on. The turnaround time was impressive and further strengthened my confidence in the online learning experience. The analysis video was clear, with helpful graphics and explanations that I could easily understand. I had a few questions regarding the analysis and my starting point, and Ryan answered them promptly and in a way that made sense to me.
One significant difference between face-to-face lessons and online lessons was the feedback I received on my execution of the drills. I shared two clips with Ryan, one showing the drill setup and the other of me practising it. It turned out that I could have improved both the setup and execution. This feedback was a game-changer for me because, based on my own perception, I believed I was doing an excellent job replicating the drill. Receiving guidance on how to practice the drills effectively was a significant advantage.
Beyond Swing Improvement
In addition to working on my swing, I received valuable insights into practice techniques and structuring practice sessions. I was introduced to different types of practice, such as technical work, variable/skill work, and random/game-based work. Although I had previously studied sports coaching and was familiar with these terms, I had not fully considered how to design practice sessions or a series of sessions utilizing these various practice types.
The feedback on my drills and the guidance on designing practice sessions made me realize the long-term impact of my work. The swing is just one piece of the puzzle in golf, and improving practice habits, routines, strategies, and preparation are all essential for overall improvement. Initially, I expected to receive some swing "tips" and not much more. However, the value of online lessons lies in their continuous and fluid nature. I encountered many questions and challenges during the first two months, but having open lines of communication with Ryan provided the support I needed to overcome those obstacles.
The Perks of Online Lessons
One significant benefit of online lessons is the permanent record of information. After completing my first three-month block of lessons, I have nine full-swing lesson videos, five drill videos tailored to my needs, and a chat log containing all my answered questions. Before designing my next practice session, I refer to the lessons, review the drills, and incorporate them into the technical part of my practice. Having this information readily available is incredibly useful. In contrast, after a face-to-face lesson, I often found myself overwhelmed with information, making it challenging to process everything. There's a good chance that I would have missed or misunderstood some of the points made during the lesson.
In conclusion, my experience of four months of unlimited online lessons with Ryan Mouque on the Skillest App has been enriching. While your experience may differ, I encourage you to explore the world of online lessons and find the approach that works best for you. Whether it's through Skillest or another platform, online lessons offer flexibility, continuous support, and a wealth of recorded information that can assist you on your golfing journey.
For all of my lesson and drill videos click the link below.
Good luck and thanks for reading!