About Ryan
Background
Ryan is a Class-A PGA Professional from Rochester, New York. He is the Director of Instruction at Plainfield Country Club in Edison, NJ. Recently recognized by Golf Digest as the youngest of the nation’s top golf instructors under 40 years of age, Ryan wants to help you improve your game today. He works with players of all ages and ability levels and has studied under some of the top teaching professionals in the US including Jim McLean, Jason Carbone, Jeff Smith, Jeff Pierce, John Graham, John Bierkan, James Ridyard, and many more.
Ryan’s coaching has expanded rapidly over the last few years and he has set a new standard for how to reach students all around the world. His reach spans over 20 countries worldwide and he has individual coaching programs set up in many of them. Ryan has contributed to a number of different industry publications and organizations, including Golf Digest, Titleist, and NJPGA.
Teaching Style >
Every lesson I give is important to me, so I approach them with passion and care. I believe that the keys to quality golf instruction are adaptability and consistency. Success in a lesson depends less on what you say, and more on how you say it. Everybody learns and interprets information differently, so being able to explain something multiple ways can be more important than the message itself. That said, having a consistent teaching system is key to helping your students improve.
The teaching system that I use was developed and published by Jim McLean. While many teaching methods have come and gone, Jim’s teaching system has stood the test of time over the last 30 years. From a technical standpoint, Jim’s system revolves around 26 solid fundamentals, which were developed through studying the best players in the world. From a format perspective, the lesson experience is a three-step process:
Figure out what the student is doing NOW
Determine what the student should be doing INSTEAD
Create a plan to make the CHANGE
With this lesson format, I almost always use video to analyze the student’s swing and to look at examples of PGA and LPGA Tour players. I’ve found the most success with students when combining video analysis, hands-on position teaching, and drills. I simply try to keep my students within, what Jim McLean has called, “corridors of success.” There’s thousands of ways to swing a golf club properly, I try to find the one that fits each individual golfer. I would classify my “style” of teaching as simple and effective. I use positivity and fun to generate motivation in my students - golf is supposed to be enjoyable!!
What He Offers >
He teaches in person lessons at Plainfield Country Club, Edison, NJ and Konnect Golf, New York City, NY. His Instagram account (@ryanhager_pga) provides daily tips, drills and insights on how to take your game to the next level. You can also find him on the #1 online golf coaching app, Skillest. Ryan believes in a simplistic style of teaching, focused on building a strong foundation of fundamentals.
Start improving your golf game now.
Check out some drills and tips to help improve your short and long game.