By Chris Smeal
Daylight savings time is here.
For golfers, that means one thing — more opportunity.
Longer evenings.
More time at the course.
More chances to sharpen your game.
This is one of my favorite times of year in junior golf. You can feel the energy shift. Players are excited to get outside after school, the practice areas are full again, and tournament season is just around the corner.
But the real magic happens when that extra daylight is used with purpose.
When you combine time + focus + intention, that’s when improvement really starts to accelerate.
Here are a few simple ways to make the most of the longer days and turn your practice time into real progress.
Start Every Practice With a Clear Focus
Great practice begins before you even arrive at the golf course.
Take a moment to think about what you want to improve that day.
Maybe it’s dialing in wedge distances.
Maybe it’s improving your putting speed.
Maybe it’s working on ball flight control with your irons.
Having a clear focus helps every minute of practice become more productive.
Even 45 minutes of focused work can move your game forward in a big way.
Make Practice Feel Like the Golf Course
Golf is a game of variety and creativity.
One of the best ways to practice is to recreate that same feeling on the range.
Try mixing things up by:
• Changing clubs often
• Aiming at different targets
• Visualizing specific holes
• Playing “imaginary rounds” on the range
This kind of practice builds the ability to adapt, trust your swing, and perform when it matters.
Use the Extra Daylight to Sharpen Your Short Game
If you have an extra hour in the evening, the short game area is one of the most powerful places to spend it.
Chipping, pitching, and putting are where great scores are built.
A simple practice structure could look like this:
20 minutes — chipping and pitching
15 minutes — putting drills
10 minutes — competitive putting games
Over time, those small improvements around the greens turn into lower scores and more confidence during tournaments.
Add Fun Challenges to Your Practice
One of the best ways to improve is to turn practice into games.
Create small challenges for yourself like:
• Make 10 three-foot putts in a row
• Get 3 up-and-downs out of 5 attempts
• Hit 7 fairways out of 10 drives
These challenges make practice fun and help build the ability to perform under pressure.
Build Momentum With Consistency
The biggest gains in golf often come from consistent daily improvement.
Even short practice sessions can add up quickly when done regularly.
Think of every practice session as another small step forward.
Those steps start stacking together — and before long you’ll see real progress in your game.
The Best Part of the Season is Just Beginning
Spring is an exciting time in junior golf.
High school golf seasons are underway.
FCG tournaments are starting to fill up.
Players everywhere are preparing for a big summer.
And now the daylight is working in your favor.
Every extra evening at the course is a chance to improve, build confidence, and get one step closer to your goals.
Use the time well.
Enjoy the process.
And keep stacking great practice days.
Because the players who make the most of this season will be the ones ready to shine when tournament time arrives.
See you at the course.
— Chris Smeal