Below is a step-by-step guide how to create a Google Drive account (if you don’t already have one), to upload photos and videos, and share links with your students through SwingMatch Golf. At this time, SwingMatch Golf does not host files directly, however, using Google Drive is a convenient way to ensure all media is stored securely and can be shared easily via links on the platform.
1. Create a Google Account (If You Don’t Have One)
Go to the Google Account creation page:
Open your web browser and go to accounts.google.com/signup.
Fill in your information:
Enter your first name and last name.
Choose a username (this will be your Gmail address).
Create a strong password and confirm it.
Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
You may need to provide your phone number for verification.
Once verified, accept Google’s terms of service to finalize your account.
Tip: If you already have a Gmail or other Google service account, you can skip this step. You can use any existing Google Account to sign in to Google Drive.
2. Access Google Drive
Go to Google Drive:
Open your web browser and go to drive.google.com.
If prompted, sign in using the Google Account you just created or already have.
Familiarize yourself with Google Drive’s layout:
The main page (My Drive) shows your folders and files.
The menu on the left allows you to quickly navigate to shared folders, recent files, and trash.
3. Upload Your Photos and Videos
Option A: Using a Computer
Create a folder (optional):
Click on New (top-left corner), select Folder, and give it a name (e.g., “Lesson Videos/Photos”).
Double-click your new folder to open it.
Upload files:
Inside your folder, click on New again.
Select File upload (to select individual files) or Folder upload (to upload multiple images/videos from an entire folder).
Choose your photos/videos:
Locate the files on your computer and select them.
Click Open to begin uploading.
Progress indicators will show the upload status at the bottom-right corner.
Option B: Using a Mobile Device
Install the Google Drive app (if not already installed):
Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and install Google Drive.
Open the Google Drive app and sign in with your Google Account.
Tap the plus (+) button (usually at the bottom-right corner) and select Upload.
Select photos/videos from your device’s gallery to begin uploading.
4. Set Sharing Permissions
1. Locate the file(s) or folder in Google Drive that you want to share.
2. Right-click (or tap the three-dot menu on mobile) on the folder or file.
3. Select Share or Get link.
Choosing the Right Sharing Settings
If you see Restricted, click the drop-down arrow and change to Anyone with the link or Anyone in [Your Organization] with the link.
By default, “Viewer” access allows others to see or download the files, but not to edit them. This is usually the safest setting for sharing photos/videos with students.
Make sure to choose “Anyone with the link” if you want to share with people who do not use your organization’s email domain.
5. Copy the Shareable Link
Once you change the setting to “Anyone with the link can view,” you’ll see a link appear.
Click or tap the Copy link button (desktop) or Copy (mobile).
The link is now in your clipboard, ready to be pasted anywhere.
6. Share the Link via Your Platform
Log in to your SwingMatch profile where you want to share the photos/videos with students.
Paste the Google Drive link in the lesson notes section or in the chat with the student you wish to share the photos and videos with
Paste the shareable link (right-click + paste or CTRL+V on desktop, long press + paste on mobile) into the relevant section of your platform’s interface.
Publish or send the message so your students can view the photos and videos from their lesson with you.
7. Verify Access
Test the link:
Open a different browser or go into incognito/private mode.
Paste the link to ensure it correctly opens the photos/videos for viewing.2.
Adjust if necessary:
If the link doesn’t work, return to Google Drive’s sharing settings and ensure it is set to “Anyone with the link” with Viewer access (or the appropriate setting for your students).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a paid Google Account for this?
No. A free Google Account comes with 15GB of shared storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. If you need more space, you can consider upgrading to Google One, but it’s not required for basic usage.
Can I share entire folders instead of individual files?
Yes. Sharing a folder with “Anyone with the link” or specific email addresses allows you to grant the same permissions to all files in that folder at once.
Is there a file size limit for Google Drive?
Individual files can be up to 5TB in size (if you have enough storage space on your plan). For most lesson photos or short videos, the free storage is typically sufficient.
How do I stop sharing a file/folder later?
Go back to the file or folder in Google Drive, open the Share settings, and change permissions back to Restricted or remove the link.
Do students need a Google Account to view the files?
If you set your sharing to “Anyone with the link can view,” students do not need their own Google account. They can access the link from any browser.
You’re all set! By following these steps, you can create a Google Drive account (if needed), upload your lesson photos and videos, and then safely share a link through SwingMatch Golf.