This is from a coach survey I conducted, in which I asked college coaches to weigh in on the recruiting process. Every coach is different, but what follows represents some of the most consistent and eye-opening themes from their responses.

The question:

What are some examples you look for to help identify good golf IQ and players who can compete and get better at the next level?

The responses were fascinating — and honestly, every junior golfer and her parents should read this carefully.

It Starts With How You Handle Adversity

If there was one theme that dominated the coach responses, it was this: they are watching how you respond when things go wrong — not when they go right.

As one coach put it plainly, “I love to watch players during their rough rounds. College golf will likely be more challenging than their prior experiences, so if they cannot handle failure before college…” The sentence didn’t need to be finished. The message was clear.

Another coach echoed that sentiment: “I love seeing how a player bounces back from a bad hole or a bad round. College golf is about handling adversity better than most and being mentally tough. If you can see how they handle the struggles and bouncebacks, then you know they will be a resilient collegiate player.”

The takeaway here is simple but powerful — your worst rounds may actually be your most important recruiting moments. How you carry yourself after a bad hole, a bad round, or a tough tournament tells a coach everything about who you will be on their team.

How You Talk About Your Game Matters Just as Much as Your Game

Several coaches mentioned that the way a recruit communicates about golf is one of the clearest windows into her golf IQ — and whether she is truly ready for the next level.

One coach specifically said they pay attention to whether a round recap “feels like it’s from the recruit vs. a parent or coach.” Coaches want to hear your voice, your thoughts, and your honest assessment — not a polished script that sounds like it came from someone else.

Another coach put it this way: “Reflections after your rounds — are you pointing out things to work on and improve, or are you making excuses and just hoping luck is better next time?” Self-awareness and accountability are qualities coaches are actively looking for, and the way you talk about your own game reveals both.

And perhaps most importantly — coaches want to know why you play. As one coach shared, “Find out why they love the game and why they play. Find out if they have goals for college golf, or if just getting there is the only goal.” A recruit whose only goal is to earn a spot on a college roster sometimes arrives on campus feeling like she is already done. Coaches want players who are hungry to keep growing.

Smart Course Management Is a Huge Green Flag

Golf IQ is not just about ball striking — it is about decision making under pressure. Coaches are watching to see if you know how to think your way around a golf course.

One coach described it perfectly: “A player who hits a chip and run instead of a lob wedge when the situation calls for it. A player who lays up when the risk is too high off the tee or on a par 5.” These are the kinds of decisions that separate players who look good on the range from players who can actually score — and coaches know the difference.

Proper club selection, playing within yourself, and committing to the right shot for the situation are all things coaches notice. So is the opposite — reckless decision making and unnecessary risks are red flags that suggest a player may struggle to manage the mental demands of college golf.

Stay tuned next week for Part 2….

— Brandi Jackson (brandi@brandijacksongolf.com)

RecruitPKB Consultant: Powered by: Brandi Jackson Golf

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