Ryan Hager: Why Golfers Don’t Get Better

Ryan Hager joins us for part one of a two-part conversation about coaching, practice, and what actually helps golfers improve.

We talk about Ryan’s path as a coach, the mentors who shaped the way he teaches, and what he’s learned from working with golfers of every level.

A big part of the conversation turns to a simple question: why do so many golfers work on their games without actually getting better?

We get into the things golfers tend to prioritize versus what might actually help them improve, why understanding ball flight and shotmaking matters, and why practice often gravitates toward what feels comfortable instead of what we actually need. Ryan also shares how he’s watched players improve their technique without seeing their handicaps move. 

We also talk about mentorship, learning environments, block practice, course strategy, and matching instruction to what a golfer actually wants from the game.

This is part one of our conversation with Ryan. Part two picks up with more on coaching, social media, and how golfers should think about the information they consume.