“I was playing decent before I started talking to coaches. Once I did, my scores went up. I feel really stressed.”
— Prospective Student-Athlete

In many ways, this is almost inevitable.

No matter when you begin the recruiting process, there is almost always a shift in mentality and expectations. Even if playing college golf has been a long-term goal, it’s difficult to avoid the added pressure that comes once the process becomes real. Recruiting is meant to be challenging and uncomfortable at times—it’s part of navigating a major life decision about your future.

For some recruits, that stress doesn’t show up as much in their scores. They may have already worked through certain stages of physical and mental development before the process begins. In those cases, recruiting can actually fuel performance, and the stress shows up more in the decision-making phase—choosing between schools, programs, and opportunities.

For others, especially those still developing both physically and mentally, starting the recruiting process can temporarily set them back. The added expectations, attention, and pressure can make tournament golf feel heavier than it did before.

The important thing to understand is this: every recruit experiences this stress in some form. It simply shows up differently for each player. Some athletes adapt more quickly and find their way back to playing freely. Others struggle longer with expectations and outside noise before settling into a healthier mindset.

Often, these struggles reveal valuable information about the level of college golf that may be the best fit at that stage of life. And if worked through properly, this period can become a powerful phase of growth—one that better prepares you for the demands of college golf.

It’s also important to remember that experiencing these emotions is normal, especially as a teenage female athlete. Your brain is still developing, hormones are constantly changing, and expectations feel magnified. Awareness matters. Growth matters. But constant self-criticism does not.

Having a mental coach or mentor during this process can be incredibly beneficial. Learning how to manage stress, expectations, and emotions is just as important as learning how to manage your golf game.

You are not broken. You are not behind. You are learning.