What College Coaches Actually Want to See in Your Resume and Video

By Brandi Jackson | Brandi Jackson Golf

I have been sharing responses from a survey I conducted asking college coaches to weigh in on some of the most important questions in the recruiting process. Every coach is different — they look for different things and have varying opinions — but what follows represents the most common and consistent themes from their responses.

This week’s question:

Are there specific things within a resume, video, or initial email that you always like to see? Certain formats? Things you do not want or need to see?

This one is practical, specific, and something every junior golfer and her family needs to read before sending a single thing to a college coach. Because the details matter — and coaches notice every single one of them.

YOUR RESUME — Keep It Clean, Simple, and Score Focused

The coaches were remarkably consistent when it came to resumes. The message was clear — less is more, and scores are everything.

Here is exactly what coaches want to see on your resume:

Tournament Results — This Is the Most Important Section
Every coach mentioned tournament results — and they were very specific about how they want to see them presented.

  • List your most recent scores first and work backwards
  • Include scores from every round — not just your best ones
  • Always include the course yardage alongside every result
  • Include your finish position and field size
  • Do NOT list finish positions without the actual scores — multiple coaches called this out specifically as a pet peeve

As one coach put it directly: “I find it annoying when resumes list finish positions without scores. I would prefer to see a list of tournament results with score as the focus.” Another added: “Include all tournament results whether good or bad.”

Academic Information
Every coach wants to see your GPA and the kinds of classes you are taking. If you have any academic honors or achievements include those as well.

The Full Picture of Who You Are
Several coaches mentioned wanting to see more than just golf on a resume. Extracurricular activities, other sports, community involvement, and a few personal facts help coaches understand who you are as a whole person. As one coach said: “Some non golf info is also helpful in painting the full picture.”

Upcoming Tournament Schedule
Always include where you will be competing so coaches can make plans to come watch you play.

Keep It to One Page
Multiple coaches specifically mentioned that one page with all the key information and a link to your swing video is the ideal format. Clean, organized, and easy to navigate. But keep in mind, when a coach says this, they aren’t necessarily including your tournament results as that can take up a whole page or be attached as a spreadsheet.

YOUR VIDEO — Full Speed, Short, and Simple

If there is one thing coaches were unanimous about it is this — no slow motion videos. This came up in nearly every single response and it was emphatic every time.

“No slow motion videos. We need to see swing speed. We can always slow it down on our end.”

“Full speed swing videos — we can always slow it down on our end.”

“Please, no slow motion videos — we need to see swing speed.”

The message could not be clearer. Coaches want to see your natural swing speed and tempo. They have the ability to slow it down themselves if they need to. A video that is entirely slow motion tells them very little about how you actually swing a golf club.

Here is what coaches do want to see in your video:

✔️ Several swings filmed directly down the line and front on
✔️ A few short game shots and putts
✔️ Keep it under three minutes — short and sweet
✔️ Film in golf clothes — one coach specifically mentioned this and was refreshingly honest about it: “It turns me off a bit if the video is done in non golf clothes — weird thing I have but just being honest.”

A few coaches also mentioned loving the idea of seeing a recruit play a couple of actual holes on video — not a full nine, but enough to see her pre-shot routine, her decision making, and how she carries herself on the course. As one coach said: “I like to see a couple of holes played on video to see routines — but do not need a full nine holes or more.”

One coach added something that not many recruits think to include: “In the video I like to have them talk about themselves for a few minutes.” A short personal introduction at the beginning of your video is a great touch that gives coaches a window into your personality before they ever speak with you.

Finally — keep production simple. As one coach put it: “A simple swing video on YouTube is best — compile eight to ten videos of full swing and short game. No need for fancy production.” The goal is to show your game — not to produce a highlight film.

Next week we will dive intro what college coaches think about your intro emails

Brandi Jackson is the RecruitPKB College Consultant and the founder of Brandi Jackson Golf. Her mission: Helping Young Women Find Their College Golf Home.

To learn more or schedule your free 30-minute consultation visit [LINK] or reach out at [brandi@brandijacksongolf.com].