We were lucky to catch up with Luke Benoit recently and have shared our conversation below.
Luke, appreciate you joining us today. undefined
In 2023, my team and I proudly launched the Ryp Academy, taking a bold step in a landscape crowded with extravagant golf simulator facilities featuring spacious bays. Instead of following the trend, we opted for a more innovative approach, fitting 12 teaching bays into a compact 6,000-square-foot space. This design maximized our area and integrated fitness, short game, and putting into our curriculum. By honing in on our core competency—golf instruction—we’ve cultivated a thriving program that now boasts over 80 high school students and has established a remarkable brand in the industry.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m thrilled to share my journey as Dr. Luke Benoit, Ph.D., founder of RYP Golf and Director of Instruction at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, MN. With over 20 years of experience in the world of golf, I’ve had the distinct honor of serving as a professional golfer, college golf coach, instructor, and small business owner, all of which have profoundly influenced my coaching philosophy.
In 2019, I introduced the Rypstick, a cutting-edge speed training product designed to help golfers maximize their distance. Since then, RYP Golf has grown to include a range of innovative training aids, such as a radar for tracking club head speeds, a laser to improve putter alignment, a force board to teach ground force dynamics, and a speed belt to enhance hip rotation.
My expertise in fitness, motor learning, and biomechanics, combined with my passion for coaching, has established me as a leading authority in swing changes and practice design. I proudly conduct online lessons with golfers worldwide, while also focusing on elevating competitive players in Minnesota to new heights.
In 2023, I celebrated remarkable successes with my players, who claimed both the Men’s and Women’s Minnesota State Championships, the State Open, and prestigious MGA Player of the Year honors. Throughout my career, I’ve coached over 120 collegiate athletes and currently work with several mini-tour professionals, including two LPGA Tour players.
This year, my team and I proudly launched the Ryp Academy, a state-of-the-art indoor training facility featuring 12 golf simulators. My vision for the Ryp Academy is to assemble a world-class team of experts, harnessing their collective knowledge to deliver unparalleled coaching to Minnesota’s dedicated golfing community. At RYP Golf, we emphasize innovative, research-backed coaching programs tailored to the unique needs of each individual.
I see myself not just as a golf instructor but as a catalyst for transformation—pushing the limits of what golfers can achieve. My mission is to empower every athlete to unlock their potential and reach new heights in their game. By blending my expertise with a genuine love for the sport, I strive to inspire and guide golfers on their journey to success.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Securing funding for a startup can be a daunting challenge, but we adopted a strategic approach that mitigated perceived risks. Our initial test of our flagship product—Rypstick—was produced at a cost of approximately $200, which mirrored its retail price. In that first month, we successfully sold around 200 Rypsticks to my close network of friends and members at the country club where I worked. While the initial sales generated no profit margins, the strong demand confirmed that we were onto something significant.
Encouraged by this response, we streamlined production costs by placing a larger order and developed a dedicated website. Within just six months, it became evident that we were on the path to profitability.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I’ve successfully built a considerable following on Instagram with my personal brand, @dr.luke.benoit.golf, amassing around 80,000 followers. My initial strategy focused on maximizing visibility and engagement, primarily by leveraging the platform’s algorithm. I discovered that short, visually appealing videos—typically ranging from 8 to 15 seconds—captured attention effectively. By incorporating vibrant colors and engaging captions, I created content that stood out in users’ feeds.
A key component of my approach involved using clips of professional golfers’ swings to highlight controversial points or draw interesting insights about the game. This not only sparked debate and engagement among viewers but also positioned me as a thought leader in the golf community. By presenting information in a concise and visually compelling format, I was able to attract a diverse audience that shared a passion for golf.
As my following began to grow, I recognized the importance of evolving my content strategy to deepen the connection with my audience. I started incorporating more substantive posts, including detailed golf tips, swing analysis, and instructional videos. This pivot not only enriched the content I provided but also aligned with my ultimate goal of offering online golf lessons.
By sharing more in-depth knowledge and showcasing my coaching expertise, I began to cultivate a community of engaged followers who were eager to learn and improve their game. This transition allowed me to refine my messaging and establish a clearer brand identity centered around education and empowerment in golf.
Now, with a solid foundation of followers who trust my insights, I am well-positioned to launch my online golf lesson offerings. The journey from focusing solely on views to creating meaningful content has been instrumental in building a loyal audience, and I’m excited to leverage this platform to help golfers around the world elevate their skills and achieve their goals. My experience on Instagram has taught me the value of adaptability, engagement, and authenticity in building a personal brand that resonates with a passionate community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rypgolf.com
- Instagram: @dr.luke.benoit.golf
