20 04, 2026

RecruitPKB: Sharing Your Tournament Results with College Coaches

By |2026-04-22T14:51:33-04:00April 20th, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments

Sharing Your Tournament Results with College Coaches Now that spring golf is in full swing, many of you have built up a solid list of tournament results. If you haven't been keeping coaches updated along the way, now is the perfect time to compile everything into a clean, organized format and send it out. Format matters. Coaches are busy, so make your results easy to read at a glance. A chart or bullet-point list works best and should include the following for each tournament: Date & Tournament Name Golf Course Scores & Finish Stats — par, yardage, slope, and rating (when available) Most coaches will already be familiar with the tournaments in your region, including the course conditions and strength of the field. However, if you're reaching out to coaches outside your area, don't assume they have that context — a little extra detail goes a long [...]

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16 04, 2026

RecruitPKB: How to Handle Bad Breaks on the Golf Course Like a Pro

By |2026-04-16T16:28:47-04:00April 16th, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments

How to Handle Bad Breaks on the Golf Course Like a Pro Every player, no matter their skill level, will eventually face a bad break on the course. A ball that kicks into a bunker instead of onto the green. A putt that lips out instead of going in. A buried lie in the sand when you needed a clean shot. These moments are as much a part of golf as the game itself — and in many ways, they're what make it so compelling. The real question isn't whether bad breaks will happen. They will. The question is what you do when they do. The Jordan Spieth Example During the playoff at the Shell Houston Open several years ago, Jordan Spieth was set up over a greenside bunker shot when a camera or phone went off mid-backswing. He flinched, caught the ball fat, and the shot [...]

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9 04, 2026

RecruitPKB: Prepare for Tournaments Better

By |2026-04-11T14:25:51-04:00April 9th, 2026|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Why Practice Rounds Don’t Equal Tournament Scores—and How to Prepare for That One of the most common things I hear from players and parents is: “But I played great during my practice round and shot ___.”or“I always play well at my home course.” And then the tournament comes… and the results don’t match. The reality is simple: practice rounds and tournament rounds are not the same—and they never will be. The goal isn’t to make them the same. The goal is to prepare for the difference—and understand how you’re going to feel, think, and react when it actually counts. Stop Keeping Score in Practice Rounds One of the biggest mistakes players make is treating practice rounds like tournaments. When you keep score, you start creating expectations:“I shot this yesterday, so I should shoot this again.” But conditions change. Pin locations change. Weather changes. Most importantly, pressure changes. [...]

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1 04, 2026

Recruit PKB: Warm Up Like a Pro

By |2026-04-02T09:11:25-04:00April 1st, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments

Why Your Warm-Up Matters More Than Your Swing One of the most common conversations I have with junior golfers isn’t about swing mechanics—it’s about preparation. Recently, I was on a call with a player who wanted help building a tournament warm-up plan. She told me she often felt rushed before her rounds, unsure of what to focus on, and never quite settled by the time she reached the first tee. The truth is—that’s not unusual. Most players walk onto the range and start hitting balls with no real intention. They’re trying to “feel good” instead of actually getting ready to play. But the best players—at every level—approach their warm-up differently. They have a plan. They’re deliberate. They understand exactly what they’re trying to accomplish before the round even begins. And if there’s one area I consistently emphasize, especially for tournament players, it’s this: Speed control on the [...]

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25 03, 2026

RecruitPKB: Negative Self Talk

By |2026-03-26T14:25:22-04:00March 25th, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments

Talk to Yourself Like You Would a Playing Partner Every time you hit a bad shot, have a tough hole, or make a mental mistake, pause for a second and ask yourself this: “What would I say to my playing partner if they just did the same thing?” Chances are, you wouldn’t respond with,“That was stupid,”“What were you thinking?” or“You’re terrible.” More than likely, you’d say something like,“It’s okay,”“Shake it off,” or“You’ve got the next one.” You probably wouldn’t have much emotional reaction at all. You might feel for them if they’re having a rough day, but you would never put them down or question their ability. So why do we do that to ourselves? Why is it so easy to tear ourselves down after a bad shot or mistake—but so natural to build others up? You Are Not Your Enemy The truth is, many golfers become [...]

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17 03, 2026

RecruitPKB: Free 30 Minute Consultation

By |2026-03-18T09:39:08-04:00March 17th, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments

I wanted to take this week’s article as an opportunity to share more about the free 30-minute RecruitPKB “Intro to the College Recruiting Process” consultation available to all National PKB members—and how it can help you. If you’re planning to begin the recruiting process but aren’t sure where to start or what steps to take, this session is designed to give you clarity, direction, and a plan moving forward. During this consultation, we will cover: A general overview of your tournament experience, scoring average, and academics Your goals and expectations, and how they align with college golf standards A breakdown of recruiting timelines and key dates based on your graduation year A simple outline for building your golf resume, swing video, and introductory email My goal is to help you leave the session with a clear understanding of the process and the next steps you should take. [...]

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11 03, 2026

RecruitPKB: Why Golf Tournaments Aren’t Where Girls Actually Improve

By |2026-03-11T15:39:40-04:00March 11th, 2026|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Why Golf Tournaments Aren’t Where Girls Actually Improve Junior girls spend countless hours preparing for tournaments. Players, parents, and coaches often measure progress by one thing: the scorecard. But here’s a truth that many golfers don’t fully understand until later in their development: Tournaments are where you test your game—not where you grow it. Real improvement in junior golf happens long before the first tee shot in competition. Understanding this difference can help players develop faster, build confidence, and avoid common recruiting mistakes. Growth vs. Performance in Junior Golf One of the most important concepts in junior golf development is understanding the difference between growth and performance. Growth involves learning and developing skills: Improving swing mechanics Developing short game touch Building confidence Experimenting with new techniques Performance, on the other hand, is about executing those skills under pressure. Golf tournaments are designed for performance. Players are focused [...]

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5 03, 2026

RecruitPKB: Why Female Golf Recruits Should Contact 50+ College Coaches

By |2026-03-05T11:13:41-05:00March 5th, 2026|Uncategorized|0 Comments

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: 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 [...]

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21 02, 2026

Recruit PKB: Learn From Others

By |2026-02-27T15:35:17-05:00February 21st, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments

As a young golfer, there's always something to learn from players who have already reached the level you're working toward. One of the easiest ways to do this is simply watching golf on TV. Study how tour players approach each shot — how they read the situation, select a club, and commit to a specific target. Pay attention to commentators when they break down club selection around the greens, and really watch the execution of those shots. Just as importantly, notice how the best players respond to bad breaks and poor shots. Their composure under pressure is a lesson in itself. Another valuable opportunity is attending a collegiate tournament near you. This gives you more than just a chance to watch skilled players up close — it lets you observe the coach-player dynamic in a real competitive setting. Watch how they communicate on the course and how [...]

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18 02, 2026

RecruitPKB: Recruiting Green Flag #2

By |2026-02-19T08:32:41-05:00February 18th, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments

Showing genuine interest in a program is a major green flag for college coaches. While it’s naturally easier if you grew up cheering for a specific school, you can still build that connection even if you’re just getting to know the program. During the season, stay engaged by following their tournament schedule and social media updates. Reaching out to mention a recent win or a tough course they played shows you are truly paying attention. Beyond specific schools, simply demonstrating a passion for the game—whether by attending professional events or asking thoughtful questions—proves you have a "student of the game" mentality. Just remember: authenticity is key. Coaches can tell when you’re checking a box versus when you’re truly driven to learn and grow. For more information on the recruiting process, reach out to RecruitPKB College Consultant, Brandi Jackson at brandi@brandijacksongolf.com

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