The First Tee with Ryan

February 20, 2026, 5:30 PM

Most Golfers go to the range to hit balls. Effective competitive golfers go to practice to train. Sometimes, you will finish a bucket of balls and think, “I hit it pretty good today.” However, you will not see any improvement on the course. This is because random reps do not transfer to performance. At the college level, every practice session needs to have structure, intention, and pressure built in. Here’s how to turn a 90 minute session into real improvement.

It is good to start with a 30 minute technical work block. This is where you can focus on one specific aspect of your swing. Avoid focusing on a bunch of different things in your golf game to get the most out of this time. This could be distance control with your wedges, starting the ball on line, or whatever you think you need to improve. Film a few swings and focus on one thing that you are trying to improve. There are plenty of times when I see multiple imperfections in my swing. However, honing in on just one of those at a time has proven to be more effective for me.

Next, move into another 30 minute block of competitive practice. This is where most amateurs fall short. As a college golfer, it is easier to focus on this dynamic because of how often I practice with team mates. Even when I practice alone, it is still possible to develop a competitive practice block. I do things such as setting up a make-believe fairway on the driving range. For example, having to hit 5 drives in a row within this fairway. If you miss one, you start over. This builds pressure into your practice. When you find yourself on the course under real pressure, you can still perform. Overall, it is important to make your practice feel uncomfortable at times.

Finally, finish with a 30 minute block focusing on shots inside 100 yards. College players such as myself realize the importance of scoring relies heavily on your wedge game. Spend 15 minutes on distance control. I like to use a wedge ladder, hitting shots from 30 to 100 yards in 10 yard increments. I then start at 100 and work my way back down to 30. The next 15 minutes, spend it on putting. You can tailor this to whatever part of your putting you think needs the most work at the time. It is also important to implement some type of pressure drills as previously mentioned. Do not just mindlessly roll putts, put intent on what you are trying to accomplish.

By structuring your practice this way, you gain real feedback after your session. You will have trained your technique, tested yourself under pressure, and strengthened the scoring part of your game. Doing this as many times a week as your schedule allows will create results. You won’t just feel better, but you will start to score better. Purpose always beats volume.

Thank you for reading! Be sure to check out my Instagram @ryansear4