The next time you head to the driving range or the local greens you will be able to bring along your own personal instructor thanks to the MobiCoach golf instructing service.
The motion analysis startup, Mobiplex, recently introduced MobiCoach, the first mobile real-time remote coaching and analysis service. MobiCoach is essentially a live coach in your pocket that allows you to share your swing and strokes directly from the course. The main focus of MobiCoach is providing instruction for golfers of all levels no matter where they are located. So a golfer in California can receive a real-time lesson in their backyard from MobiCoach in Florida.
MobiCoach connects golfers and coaches through an interactive Skype-like session on Mobiplex’s SwingTIP iOS app where the coach can remotely record and view a live video of the golfer’s swing. To provide feedback, the coach can draw directly on the live video much like a telestrator on sports television broadcasts. The coach can also call up a side-by-side view of two separate swings to illustrate concepts and teaching points.
The video feedback is a two way street. This allows for a strong line of real-time communication that makes the experience very similar to having a coach actually standing next to the golfer and offering instruction.
“It is hard to overstate the disruptive impact this technology will have on sports education,” said Vijay Nadkarni, founder and CEO of Mobiplex. “This is the first time a sports tech platform combines man and machine to allow for instant feedback, analysis and improvement. Golfers can finally get coaching from the world’s best pros in a comprehensive, convenient and affordable manner. For example, a golfer in Australia can take a live lesson from a marquee coach in the States. And coaches can teach year-round, even from their home offices, without being handicapped by poor weather or fixed work hours.”
The SwingTIP app is free to download and lessons start at $25 for 15 minutes. Golfers can pay securely through MobiCoach and coaches can also promote their services, as well as publish their calendar and coaching rates.
There are currently 15 coaches featured on the service with more being added to the roster each day from institutions such as Jack Nicklaus Golf Academies, Troon Golf Academy, and Jeff Ritter Golf. There’s a variety of coaches including PGA professionals, award-winning golf instructors, former LPGA tour player, instructors with more than 20 years experience and more, including instructors who have experience with golfers of all levels from beginning to top ranked amateurs and professional players.
Craig Stadler, winner of the 1982 Masters and 13 PGA Tour events said: “This development completely changes the face of golf instruction, and can greatly expand the reach of the coaching industry.”