A few years ago, I had an idea. What if there was a Thursday evening at the club that felt less like a lesson and more like a night out — but you also happened to get better at golf while you were at it?
That idea became the Thursday Night Series at Mad River Golf Club, and it's quietly become one of my favourite things I do all season. It's part coaching clinic, part social hour, part on-course experience — and entirely unlike any other golf event in the area.
Whether you're a single-digit player looking to sharpen your short game or someone who picked up the sport last summer and still isn't sure which wedge is which, Thursday nights are for you. The vibe is welcoming, the instruction is real, and the sunsets over the Niagara Escarpment aren't bad either.
What a Typical Thursday Night Looks Like
Every session follows a loose structure that balances learning with playing. Here's how a typical evening flows:
Arrival & Warm-Up
Grab a drink, say hello, and loosen up on the range. This is community time — meet new people, reconnect with regulars.
Guided Skill Session
Each week focuses on a different theme — driving, iron play, short game, putting, or course management. I keep groups small so everyone gets hands-on attention.
On-Course Play
We take what we've worked on and put it into action on a few holes. This is where the real learning happens — applying new skills in real playing conditions.
19th Hole
Wind down on the patio. Share stories from the round, ask questions, and enjoy the Mad River atmosphere as the sun goes down.
"The best golf improvement happens when you're relaxed, laughing, and not trying to be perfect. That's what Thursday nights are about."
Why This Format Works
Traditional golf lessons can feel clinical. You stand in a bay, hit balls, get feedback, and go home. That's valuable — I teach private lessons every day and I believe in that process deeply. But there's a different kind of learning that happens in a social, low-pressure environment.
When you're surrounded by other golfers who are all working on their games, something shifts. The pressure to be perfect evaporates. You try things you wouldn't try in a formal lesson. You watch someone else make a breakthrough and think, "Maybe I can do that too." And because we take the skills onto the course immediately, the connection between practice and play becomes instant.
What Makes Thursday Nights Special
Expert Coaching
CPGA Class A instruction with TrackMan and TPI insights woven into every session.
Real Community
Meet golfers from across the Collingwood area. Friendships forged here last well beyond the season.
Play Real Holes
Practice is great, but playing is where it clicks. We get on the course every single week.
World-Class Setting
Mad River is one of Ontario's most beautiful courses. Thursday evenings in the golden light are something else.
Who Comes to Thursday Nights?
Honestly? Everyone. I've had brand-new golfers show up alongside club champions, and both leave having learned something. The format is designed to be inclusive — during the skill session, I'll tailor the instruction to different levels within the group, and during on-course play, we mix things up so you're playing with different people each week.
A lot of our regulars are couples, which I love. It's become a proper date-night option in the area — a few hours outdoors, learning something together, finishing with a drink on the patio. But you'll also find groups of friends, solo golfers looking for community, and retirees who want to stay sharp.
There's no skill requirement. There's no dress code test. If you can swing a club — or want to learn how — you're in.
What Past Participants Say
"I signed up thinking I'd come once. I ended up coming every Thursday for the entire season. The community Ryan has built is something special."
"My wife and I were looking for something to do together that wasn't just dinner. Thursday nights became our thing. We've both dropped three strokes since we started."
2026 Season Details
The Thursday Night Series runs from mid-May through September, weather permitting. Sessions are available individually or as a season package (the package is better value and guarantees your spot — these do fill up).
Space is limited each week to keep the groups small and the instruction personal. If you're interested, I'd encourage you to get in touch sooner rather than later — last year we had a waitlist by mid-June.
Save Your Thursday Nights
Register for the 2026 Thursday Night Series at Mad River Golf Club. Spots are limited.
Register Now