Overview
PGA Coach was originally launched as a training and development platform through the PGA of America's alignment with Golf's American Development Model (ADM). Developing exceptional coaches is crucial to ADM's driving mission of creating positive experiences for as many as possible, for as long as possible, with the best experience possible.
As the platform has continued to grow and evolve to incorporate business tools for coaches and a connection to those coaches for consumers, it is essential for the PGA of America to stabilize the business by ensuring its future success and investing in long-term growth. In April, the PGA Coach platform will open its doors to a select group of non-PGA of America Members. This expansion is being thoughtfully managed, beginning by targeting golf professionals who actively support PGA Professionals at their facilities, LPGA Members and PGA of America partners. This will allow us to foster a more inclusive, yet intentional, coaching community.
By creating two tiers of PGA Coach – PGA Coach and now the paid PGA Coach+ option – it will allow us to elevate premier features, produce exclusive content and provide concierge-level support to users who subscribe to Plus features. Additionally, the PGA of America is also partnering with Onform to deliver industry-leading tools for video analysis to PGA Coach, with a discount provided to PGA of America Members.
General Overview
What is the vision of PGA Coach? The PGA is committed to building a coaching platform for the next generation of PGA Professionals that drives leads and customers to PGA Professionals, provides effective business tools, and makes the PGA Professional synonymous with coaching. PGA Coach supports this by connecting consumers to exceptional coaches and programs by leading the golf industry in coach development, tools, programming, and marketing.
How are PGA Professionals represented in these decisions? These decisions were made thoughtfully by the PGA's Board and Committees, each comprising experienced professionals who understand the diverse needs of our community and drive our strategic direction. They will continue to guide the strategic direction of PGA Coach.
Why is a paid tier being implemented for access to some current PGA Coach features?
The free tier of PGA Coach will continue to support most PGA Professionals with their coaching needs.
For Coaches interested in unlimited leads/customers and elevated features, PGA Coach+ will provide an upgraded experience from what has been available.
To date, there has been no revenue and significant investment required to maintain and grow PGA Coach. In order to continue doing so, a more sustainable business model is required.
The revenue from PGA Coach+ is one of several funding sources alongside sponsorships, commissions, and programming fees.
Over 30% of leads currently receive no response due to coach profiles that are not being actively managed. Funneling leads to PGA Coach+ subscribers will increase the response rate and ensure the majority of leads are converted into new golfers and paying customers for PGA Coaches.
When does the transition to PGA Coach+ and other changes take effect? The official transition is set to occur in April 2025.
Pre-registration opened on April 8th
The full PGA Coach+ tier will launch on April 16th
Do all PGA Members need to pay for PGA Coach? No, PGA Members can continue using PGA Coach at no extra cost which includes most of the existing features and functionality. However, to access unlimited leads, booking types, and advanced tools and features, a PGA Coach+ subscription is required ($25/monthly or $250/year). This dual-tier approach gives Members the flexibility to choose based on their individual needs and preferences.
Can non-members access PGA Coach, and what are the eligibility requirements? Yes, LPGA Members, select groups approved by the PGA Coach Committee, and coaches endorsed by PGA Professionals who work at the same facility can join. This access broadens our network and commitment to growing the game, enriching the coaching environment with diverse insights and experiences.
Is pricing the same for members and non-members? Yes, to comply with legal requirements, all subscribers, regardless of membership status, will pay the same subscription fees.
Features & Benefits
Ready to get started with PGA Coach+? Click here for a step-by-step guide on upgrading your account, or click the button below to upgrade your account now.
What distinguishes the free tier from Coach+? The free tier provides essential features to maintain a basic presence on the platform, but upgrading to Coach+ offers comprehensive benefits, including unlimited leads, unlimited offering types, and access to subscriber-exclusive features. These enhancements are tailored to significantly boost a coach's professional engagement and effectiveness. Check out this article for more information on what is included in the PGA Coach and PGA Coach+ tiers.
Why limit leads to two for free users? Limiting free user leads to two effectively ensures those leads are managed actively and assures a quality service experience for both coaches and golfers. Additionally, it presents an opportunity for users to evaluate the potential value of PGA Coach+ before choosing to upgrade.
Are there flexible options for upgrading or downgrading subscription plans? Coaches can opt for month-to-month payments by activating or deactivating subscriptions as needed with no restrictions on frequency. This plan may be favorable for coaches who have a seasonal business, providing them with the flexibility to adjust their subscriptions according to their busy seasons.
What “exclusive content” is available for Coach+ members? To start, subscribers will have access to past PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit recordings. Over time, these content offerings will grow based on feedback from PGA Professionals and guidance from the PGA Coach Core Committee.
What new tech updates or features are planned for the future? The roadmap will be determined by feedback from PGA Professionals and guidance from the new PGA Coach Core Committee.
Why do we need to add a paid tier instead of staying with a free model? Adding a paid tier enables PGA Coach to offer more specialized features and dedicated services that can better serve coaches in the long term. It ensures sustained investment in platform improvements, resulting in a more robust, functional toolset that can handle the diverse needs of all coaches. The alternative was to consider sunsetting PGA Coach.
Transition Process
What happens to my profile if I stay on the free tier? If you continue on the free tier, your profile remains as is for most features and functionality, with the following exceptions:
The “Contact Coach ____” is disabled after the two lead maximum is hit.
You will remain bookable regardless of leads - so customers will continue to be able to book with you directly regardless of whether you’ve hit your lead maximum.
Private Offerings: After 1 month, the platform will keep the two most booked booking types and the rest will be soft deleted from your account.
A Private Offering is defined as a service or session designed specifically for individual clients, focused on personalized instruction and tailored experiences, such as private coaching sessions, club fittings, swing evaluations, and other lesson packs. These sessions can be set to private or publicly bookable, with the option to accept payments online.
Group Events: coaches are allowed up to two (2) actively bookable group events. If you currently exceed this number, you will not need to remove any events from your calendar. However, you will not be able to add any additional events until you upgrade your account or if the event is completed or deleted. Please note: If you are a PGA HOPE, PGA Jr. League, PGA Family Golf or PGA Camps Coach, these events will not count toward your group event limit.
A Group Event is defined as a service or activity designed for groups, aimed at creating a sense of community, bringing students together, and scaling offerings with engaging experiences. Examples include after school clinics, Get Golf Ready, supervised practice, and boot camps. These events benefit from marketing and registration hosted on pga.com, providing brand recognition. Additionally, they can be set for private participation or public registration, with options to collect payment online.
Group Events scheduled prior to the April 16th full launch will not be impacted by the transition. If you remain on the PGA Coach tier and have more than two upcoming events, you will not be able to add more unless you have fewer than one upcoming event.
Will the PGA expand its marketing efforts for PGA Coach? Yes, the new PGA Coach Amplification Committee is tasked with elevating PGA Coach’s visibility through targeted campaigns designed to increase awareness and engagement among the golfing community. No matter which tier a coach user belongs to, their profiles will be promoted and visible on pga.com/coach.
Are there flexible subscription options? Absolutely, subscriptions can be paid month-to-month, allowing flexibility. This is advantageous during the off-season, enabling coaches to manage their resources effectively without commitment to a full annual subscription.
Will previous leads be counted towards my lead limit, and what happens after I reach this limit? Previous leads do not count toward the new limit, and following the official launch, lead collection pauses once the limit is reached unless you opt for an upgrade.
How does managing booking type limits affect current offerings? You are limited to maintaining two bookable* group events and two individual offerings. Exceeding this requires adjustments or account upgrades.
*Once a group event date passes, you are eligible to create another group event at a future date.Can the PGA Coach+ subscription be added to my annual dues? Unfortunately, no. Similar to any other PGA Professional program that is only used by a sub-set of the membership, consolidating payments with Member dues is not currently an option.
What resources are available for users during this transition? To support you through the transition to PGA Coach+, we offer a comprehensive suite of resources designed to enhance your experience and ensure a smooth changeover:
Email Support: For personalized technical assistance and to address specific queries, reach out to our dedicated support team via email at support@pga.com. Our experienced team is ready to provide timely and detailed solutions to any issues you encounter.
Support Page: Visit our extensive support site at support.pga.com, which is continually updated with the latest information about PGA Coach and PGA Coach+. This resource includes detailed articles, step-by-step guides, and answers to common questions, helping you navigate new features and functionalities of the platform.
Player Engagement Consultants: For tailored advice and strategic guidance, engage with our Player Engagement Consultants. These PGA teammates are available to provide insights into using PGA Coach+ effectively, integrating new tools into your coaching practice, and optimizing your overall experience.
Our priority is to ensure you feel confident and well-equipped throughout this transition, enhancing your ability to leverage the new system for both personal and client success. We’re committed to offering exceptional support to make this transition as seamless and beneficial as possible.
Additional Inquiries
Will non-members be visually differentiated on the platform? Yes, there will be clear indicators distinguishing PGA Members from non-members in profiles and search features, maintaining transparency for users exploring coaches and programs.
Where can I direct feedback during this transition? We welcome feedback through our established support channels (listed above) and continuously involve player engagement consultants to refine processes based on real-world insights and suggestions.
How will the transition to PGA Coach+ affect coaches involved in PGA HOPE and PGA Jr. League? The transition to PGA Coach+ will support all existing programs, including PGA HOPE and PGA Jr. League, by enhancing tools available to coaches. Usage of PGA Coach for PGA HOPE, PGA Jr. League, PGA Camps, and PGA Family Golf will not be impacted by the introduction of PGA Coach+.
Onform Partnership
What is Onform, and how does it enhance the PGA Coach platform? Onform is a video analysis tool that enhances coaching by enabling detailed feedback and performance tracking. It allows coaches to capture, analyze, and share videos for improved instructional clarity and golfer engagement.
How does Onform benefit coaches using the PGA Coach platform? Onform provides all PGA Coach users with advanced video analysis capabilities, fostering personalized coaching experiences and facilitating continuous golfer improvement through detailed video feedback. The two apps will integrate seamlessly for ease of management and communication with students.
Is Onform available to all PGA Coach tiers? Yes, regardless of the users’ PGA Coach subscription, Onform will be accessible, ensuring all coaches can leverage powerful video analysis tools, regardless of their subscription level. This is a separate subscription that will be managed with Onform directly.
How does Onform support collaborative learning and engagement between coaches and students? Onform offers cloud storage and easy sharing options, allowing both coaches and students to revisit lessons anytime, encouraging interactive learning and facilitating ongoing developmental feedback.
Is there a discount for PGA Coach users in Onform? Yes, Onform is offering all PGA Members a 10% discount on all new annual subscriptions or renewals. In addition, all new users are eligible for a trial period.
How do I sign up for Onform?
Download the Onform app and start your 14-day free trial. Please note that Onform is only supported by Apple devices.
Fill out this form to receive your exclusive discount on your annual subscription. If you're already a paying Onform user, you will receive the discount on your next renewal period.
Schedule a call with a member of the Onform team to learn more.