“Just wanted to let you know that for 2020 we have one verbal commitment and another offer out.  Assuming that gets accepted we would only have walk-on opportunities available for 2020.” – Top 25 Ranked DI Women’s Golf Program

In consulting my 2020 recruits, I have received several responses like this from coaches who are already wrapping up their 2020 recruiting class, during the fall of a recruit’s sophomore year.  I know it’s hard to believe and part of me doesn’t like to share this because I know it makes players panic and stresses them out. But I have also seen the lack of knowledge and understanding of the reality of the recruiting process and they find out this information too late.

Thankfully on a positive note, I have also had several 2018 recruits, current seniors, who have just wrapped up their recruiting process by making their decision in the last couple of months, two will attend Ivy Leagues, one to a top 100 ranked DI program and one to a top-ranked academic DIII program. So the recruiting process can continue throughout a recruit’s junior and senior year with quality options still being available.

Below are just a few things to keep in mind about the timelines of this process.

  • You can’t force the process to start early if your resume isn’t good enough yet. For a female golfer, that typically includes at least 2 years of non-high school competitive scores from 5900yds and longer, consistently in the 70s, with minimal scores in the low 80s, playing state, regional and national tournaments. If you reach this stage at an early age then the process will tend to happen sooner rather than later. If you aren’t to this stage yet then focus on the things you can control within your game and player development before adding the stress of the recruiting process.
  • If you aren’t to the stage of starting the recruiting process then make sure you utilize all of your resources to ensure you reach your goal of playing college golf. Many players spend months and years not understanding the level of effort and commitment it takes to play golf in college, especially at a higher ranked level.
  • If you are to the stage of starting the recruiting process then take the initiative and be proactive in reaching out to the coaches. Try not to let the stress of the process overwhelm you and your game. If you continue to work hard then you will find a good college golf home. It is not life or death!
  • While there are opportunities still available through a player’s junior and senior year, the scholarship money does start to dwindle and availability becomes just roster spots or possible academic money in some cases. So if scholarship money is a major issue then you need to be very realistic early on in the process and not hope for those dream schools to become reality but without any scholarship money.
  • The biggest thing is not to panic. Use this process as an opportunity to mature and develop better communication and personal skills that are going to help you be more prepared for college golf. See this as a process and not something you can force to happen. Focus on what it takes to get better, spend time on recruiting each week, then allow the process to happen the way it is supposed to.

 

If you are interested in assistance with the college recruiting process you may contact Brandi at bjackson@pkbgt.org to schedule your free 30 min PKB members only consultation.