What is the RecruitPKB platform?
The path to collegiate golf can be difficult and intimidating. The first step in the recruiting process is establishing a game plan. That is where we come in. We are here to help you understand the process and help you achieve your dreams of playing college golf.
RecruitPKB offers a way to connect current PKBGT players with opportunities in the collegiate game. This new service offers advice from our college consultant, insight into the recruiting experience and ways to become a more complete golfer. Our network of over 650 PKBGT alumni in the college ranks along with our resource center can help you on your way to playing college golf.
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RecruitPKB: Bad Breaks and Excuses
If there is one thing inevitable about every golfer, it's that at some point in time they are going to get a bad break on the golf course. It may be a bad kick, a divot in the middle of the fairway, a buried lie in the sand or a putt lipping out. Probably the most fun and exciting part of the game of golf is the amount of good and bad breaks that can happen during a round. There are so many elements on the golf course, that nature is bound to throw you a few "unfair" bounces and lies on occasion. Several years ago Jordan Speith had an incident when a camera or phone went off in his backswing from the greenside bunker during the playoff at the Shell Houston Open. Initially, he got upset but he gathered himself and went on to try and make the putt to stay in the playoff. These were his words afterward, “I am not sure [...]
RecruitPKB: College Average Scores
I wanted to share a recent breakdown of the average scores for the 3rd player on a handful of DI and DII programs (data from www.golfstat.com and www.collegegolf.com). In order for golf programs to get better coaches need to replace no worse than their 3rd player if at all possible. And early into the process, they are going to have high expectations to get that with a recruit, especially their first offer with a large amount of scholarship money. Over time they may not get as strong of a recruit as they initially were hoping so that is where some patience in the process will allow you the opportunity to improve your game and potentially find options later. Also, one of the reasons I am sharing this is to show everyone how competitive programs are at the DI level and top DII level, these girls are good! DI Programs Rank School 3rd Player Average 1 Stanford 73.4 2 Wake Forest 72.1 3 Texas A&M [...]
Recruit PKB: What is a complete golfer?
A complete golfer is a player who maximizes their current skills and fundamentals to their fullest potential. They learn how to practice efficiently, develop short-game creativity, manage their way around the course, minimize their mistakes, and remain mentally tough. Proper technique with a golf swing is only one of the many elements of a successful golfer. If you ask a college coach what most junior golfers lack when they arrive on campus, the response tends to center around short game, work ethic, course management, being coachable and mental toughness. It is rarely skill and technique level. The complete golfer also understands that proper nutrition, exercise, time management, a good attitude, and a balanced life are all a part of being a successful golfer. Becoming a complete golfer takes self-discipline, hard work, and accountability. You must learn how to make each practice session, whether on the practice facility or on the course, have a purpose and a goal. You need to see results and progress, [...]
RecruitPKB: DII College Golf Insight
Do you think it's all about playing DI golf? Well, think again! The level of play at the top DII golf programs just might surprise you, along with the impact of those college coaches. Here two recent interviews from two of the best! You will have a hard time finding a coach with more success than Brent Nicoson who has led the University of Indianapolis Men's and Women's teams to 13 conference titles, 10 regional crowns, and two DII national championships. He has been named GLVC Coach of the Year a combined 12 times. He is also part of four straight generations of Nicosons who have been a part of Greyhound athletics. Coach Nicoson shares with us his approach to coaching a top-ranked DII program and how he implements the 4 C's (Culture kid, Coachable, Consistent, and Competitor) LISTEN HERE Former college and professional baseball player Kenny Trapp has earned his status as one of the best college coaches and recruiters in the [...]
RecruitPKB: Why Her and Not Me Podcast
I kicked off season 5 of Tap Into College Golf this week with an all-new episode that I wanted to share with you. “Why Her and Not Me?” While you may not say or think those exact words it’s certainly a thought I know many of you have had at some point when you've seen a player post their verbal commitment or learn that they received the offer you were hoping to get from a coach. You may be asking yourself, "What did I do wrong?", "What did she do better?", "What can I do better?". Well in this first episode of season 5 we discuss 6 scenarios I've seen be the reason that a coach selects one recruit over another, and how you can be more aware of these aspects that may impact your chances of getting that college golf offer you've dreamed of. You can listen anywhere you get your podcasts or at this link: LISTEN HERE -Brandi Jackson, RecruitPKB College [...]
RecruitPKB: Always Reply to the Coaches
So much of the recruiting process is a parallel between recruits and coaches. It amazes me how many times I hear players get frustrated because a coach never replies back, yet when a coach at a school they're not interested in emails them, they won't reply to them. Yes, the coaches are the adults and have more experience in the recruiting world, but they're human too and get frustrated when they email a player and never get a response. Just as you would rather at least get a response, even if it's a "not interested" one, so would the coaches. It takes less than 2 minutes to write a polite response. So if a coach sends you an email and you're 100% not interested then just let them know you don't think it's a good fit for what you are looking at with golf and school. If you don't know much about the school or program, take the time to do some research and [...]
RecruitPKB: It’s Decision Making Season
It is the time of year when both rising seniors and juniors are making their college decisions. I wanted to talk a little about the battle between this being the player's decision but also knowing what may be best for her future that she just can't see at the moment. One of the toughest parts about this process is the desire many girls have to attend a highly ranked academic school and/or big athletic program, but their golf resume just not being strong enough for those particular schools. While there are scholarships that do go unused, when it comes to a certain "type" of school, there just aren't enough spots for the number of girls who want them. So the decision sometimes comes down to attending the school she desires without playing golf vs attending the less desirable school with the golf program that fits. And in some cases, I have had it be the opposite where the parents had higher expectations for the [...]
RecruitPKB: Prepared With Questions
The assumption, many times, is that a coach is going to ask you a lot of questions because you, as the recruit, are the one being “interviewed”. Don’t always assume that to be the case because many times a coach will expect the recruit to be prepared with questions to ask and may even expect the recruit to lead the conversation. Also, not all coaches will do their homework and care to get to know you as a person, don’t let that stop you from doing the work on your end to ask questions and learn more about whether or not the coach, golf program, and school will be a good fit. Reality is that it’s your responsibility to find this out for yourself
RecruitPKB: Manage and Improve Coach Communications
This past week I hosted a webinar about Managing and Improving Your Coach Communications, we had some technical difficulties so I ended up having to just record a video segment instead of hosting a live version. But I wanted to share that with all of you. Hopefully, you will find some helpful tips! CLICK HERE If you would like more information about the college recruiting process please contact RecruitPKB College Consultant Brandi Jackson at bjackson@pkbgt.org.
RecruitPKB: Parents at Tournaments
As summer golf starts to heat up, I wanted to send a quick reminder for the parents while out watching your daughter play golf. One of the first experiences a coach will have when recruiting a player is the interaction that they see between a parent and child at a junior golf tournament. Below are a few tips on ways to ensure your role at a tournament is a positive one for both your daughter and a college coach. Don’t hover when they are warming up: Try not to hover over your daughter while she is warming up to play. It is ok to watch her hit balls and to be there to assist her if she needs it but don't overdo it. It's a red flag to a coach if a parent dictates everything their daughter does during their warm-up. Let her have space to warm up and get ready on her own. Allow them to take care of themselves: As a player gets [...]