Elevate Golf: Connecting the Course

Nikhil Damani is no stranger to startups. A serial entrepreneur and passionate golfer, he’s now found his sweet spot: bringing affordable, personalised golf tips to the masses through a brand-new app, Elevate Golf. A marketplace connecting golfers to certified coaches for tailored advice, the app takes golf learning to the next level and is set for release later this year.

Elevate Golf is inspired by a simple insight: millions of people love golf, and most of them play it. But not everyone can afford one-on-one coaching, and generic online videos often miss the mark. “I found the content was too long, and not tailored for my needs,” says Nikhil.

Inspired by the best features of disruptive platforms - from micropayment and coaching apps to dating services and on-demand marketplaces - Elevate Golf offers a fast, focused way to get expert golf advice exactly when you need it. The concept is simple: players only pay for a few minutes of a coach’s time and get a targeted tip in return. And instead of guessing, users see their overall match percentage with every coach, making it easy to find the right fit for their game.

For Nikhil, it’s about empowering both players and coaches. “This is for all golfers,” he explains. “They want to improve, but a long session isn’t for them, and generic online videos just don’t deliver what they need. They’re looking for quick, targeted advice that actually helps. ”Every tip is saved in the Tip Gallery to revisit anytime, helping players avoid slipping back into old habits. And with the ‘Online Now’ feature, you can connect with coaches in real time, perfect for practice sessions on the driving range.

Behind the scenes, the build has been supported by strong personal relationships, especially with HSBC UK. “They connected me straight away with the right people,” says Nikhil. “From global payments to personal banking, they brought in experts who challenged our thinking in the best way. That support helped us sharpen our model, get launch-ready, and scale with confidence.”

“I found everyone so helpful,” he adds. “Their app is great, responses are quick, and I’ve always felt my needs were treated as a priority. That kind of service gives businesses the confidence to grow. I’m proud to be with a bank that genuinely backs small businesses.”

That backing has proven crucial in taking Elevate Golf from idea to reality. With a scalable tech framework and a global pool of golf experts already signing up, the app is ready to tee off. By combining expert insight with the ease and affordability of modern platforms, Elevate Golf is opening up personalised coaching to anyone who wants to improve. And with HSBC UK’s support behind him, Nikhil is ready to bring better golf within reach for everyone, one tailored tip at a time.

With no monthly account fee and free UK digital banking¹, we’re helping small businesses like Nikhil’s do more. Search HSBC Small Business Banking Account to see how we could support yours.