One of the most common conversations I have with recruits is about why they aren’t hearing back from college coaches.

Often, when a player shows me their list of schools, I notice two things right away:

  1. The majority of the schools are unrealistic for their current recruiting timeline or playing level.They simply haven’t contacted enough programs.

Because of this, I often recommend that recruits reach out to at least 50 or more college coaches during the recruiting process. While that number may seem high at first, there are several important reasons why expanding your outreach can significantly improve your recruiting opportunities.

Let’s break down the three biggest reasons.

1. Communication With Coaches Takes Practice

Many recruits assume they’ll immediately feel comfortable speaking with college coaches, but that’s rarely the case.

Coach communication is a skill that improves over time. Emails, phone calls, interviews, and recruiting conversations can feel intimidating at first, especially when you’re talking with a program you’re very interested in.

By reaching out to a larger number of coaches, you give yourself more opportunities to:

  • Practice introducing yourself

  • Answer recruiting questions

  • Learn how to ask thoughtful questions about a program

  • Gain confidence speaking with coaches

These early conversations can help you refine how you communicate before speaking with programs that may be higher on your list.

That said, this doesn’t mean wasting a coach’s time. If you know you would never consider attending a certain school, it’s best not to pursue the conversation. But many recruits close doors too quickly without fully learning about the opportunity.

2. You Need Enough Realistic Schools on Your List

While I always encourage recruits to pursue their dream schools, your list must include a healthy balance of reach schools and realistic options.

When a recruit’s list is heavily weighted toward dream programs, they often receive little to no response from coaches. This can quickly lead to frustration, anxiety, and a loss of confidence.

Expanding your list gives you a much better chance of finding programs where:

  • Your scores and ranking fit the roster

  • Coaches are actively recruiting your graduation class

  • Your academic profile matches the school

  • There are real opportunities for playing time

Sometimes expanding your list requires adjusting certain expectations, such as:

  • Distance from home

  • Climate or location

  • Division level

  • School size

  • Academic rigor

  • Conference strength

Once you begin receiving positive feedback from coaches who view you as a strong recruiting prospect, your confidence will naturally improve.

3. More Options Give You More Leverage

When it comes time to make a decision, options matter.

If you have no offers on the table, you may find yourself waiting and wondering what the next step should be. However, receiving even one offer can completely change the dynamic of your recruiting conversations.

Having an offer allows you to:

  • Update other coaches on your recruiting status

  • Ask where you stand on their recruiting list

  • Create timelines for decision-making

  • Compare opportunities to find the best fit

And if you’ve done the work to connect with enough programs, you may find yourself choosing between multiple offers—giving you the opportunity to make a thoughtful and confident decision.

A Realistic Recruiting Strategy

Every athlete’s recruiting journey is different, but when I provide general advice, I’m thinking about what most recruits naturally do on their own—and where they often fall short.

A strong starting point is to contact at least 50 college coaches. From there, the goal is typically to identify:

  • 15–20 realistic programs that show potential interest

  • 7–10 programs where meaningful conversations are happening

This approach helps recruits move from simply sending emails to building real recruiting relationships.

If You’re Not Seeing Results Yet

If you’ve already started contacting coaches and aren’t seeing the results you expected, don’t get discouraged.

Instead, focus on:

  • Expanding your list of schools

  • Continuing to improve your golf performance

  • Strengthening your communication skills

  • Paying attention to your on-course demeanor and attitude

Recruiting is a process that requires persistence, growth, and patience.

Stay proactive, keep working on your game, and remember that the goal isn’t just finding a college team—it’s finding the right fit for your future.

Brandi Jackson – brandi@brandijacksongolf.com
RecruitPKB College Consultant
Helping female golfers navigate the college recruiting process with confidence.