As you may know, the Covid implemented Dead Period will end on May 31, which means for the first time in over a year DI college coaches can recruit again! This also, means you can take visits that will allow you to meet the coach and athletic staff. For the next couple of weeks, I am going to do some refreshers on these areas to help you better prepare for these exciting experiences!

For many players, this may be the first time you will have a college coach watch you play. It may be the first time you really get those nervous jitters on the golf course. It can be tough to concentrate and focus on your game. You feel the pressure that you need to play well or else you may lose your chance to impress that coach.  So many thoughts and emotions can go through your head that can affect your game.

Breathe. Relax. And trust that you are prepared!

Below are a few things to keep in mind when a coach is out watching you play that just might help you land that spot on the team.

  • Coaches actually want to see you struggle so they can evaluate how you handle the bad holes and bad days. They have seen your scores, so obviously, they are impressed enough by them to come out and watch you play. They understand bad days will happen but they want to see that you can grind it out even on days when things don’t go your way or your swing just isn’t working for you.
  • Never show signs that you are giving up. It’s understandable to get a little upset with yourself if you have a bad hole but let it go, keep your head up, shoulders back, and stay positive. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you and allow it to carry over to the next shot. Take a few deep breaths and relax. Don’t force it, just have faith in your abilities to get back on track.
  • Treat other players with respect no matter how bad of a day you are having. Continue to tell other players “nice shot”. Get the pin on the green. Unless you are on the clock for slow play, never walk off the green to the next tee because you are angry. It’s OK to be a little upset at yourself for bad shots but never take it out on another player. Head up and shoulders back (there is a reason this is repeated and in bold).
  • If your parents are offering you food or something to drink, accept it or politely say “no thank you”. If they are offering some encouragement say “thank you”. Be respectful at all times!! Coaches are ALWAYS watching for these little things. How you treat your parents and those around you is how you will treat your coach and teammates.

Feedback from college coaches on what they look for when recruiting a player, as well as their parents:

“I feel like kids put too much emphasis on simply their scores, and although they are important, it is also great to see how a kid handles themselves through the ups and downs.” – Division I Women’s Coach

“Finding a way to grind out decent scores on bad days.” – Division I Women’s Coach

“If a parent is overbearing or mean to the child after they play badly it not only affects the player but makes a coach wonder how much they will have to deal with when the player comes to school.” – Division I Women’s Coach

“I look for character traits as well as personality. I look at player/parent interaction and ask myself if these are the parents I want on my team”. – Division I Women’s Coach

Brandi Jackson

RecruitPKB College Consultant

If you need assistance with the college recruiting process, please contact Brandi at bjackson@pkbgt.org