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.
Where do I go from here?
Learn From Our Experts
RecruitPKB: Is Social Media Necessary in Recruiting
For most people, social media has become a way of life. It's how we get our news, stay in touch with friends and family, shop, build a business, and much more. And in the recruiting process, it's a way to help maximize your efforts for finding a college golf home. In the next few articles we will cover the ways to use social media and the ways not to use social media as a prospective student athlete. But first, I want to address the question, is it necessary? No, it's not necessary, because in this world of too much screentime, oversharing, and inappropriate content I want to make sure no one feels like they have to use social media. If you aren't comfortable as a kid or young adult (or as the parent of a kid or young adult) using social media, then do not feel obligated to use it. While social media can be a positive and educational resource, it can also [...]
RecruitPKB: Social Media Series Kickoff
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and ready to make 2020 an awesome year. I was recently at the PKB Junior at Pine Needles where I led a discussion with parents and players about the impact and usage of social media in the recruiting process. Social media has become an integral part of the college recruiting process so it's important to understand how, when, and why to use this as a resource. Since this was such a well-received topic of discussion, over the next several weeks, I want to share more about the areas we covered during that evening. To kick the series off though, I want to open the chance for you to submit questions that you might like addressed or specific scenarios you have faced with the use and impact of social media. Please send those to me at bjackson@pkbgt.org and I will do my best to cover them over the next several weeks.
RecruitPKB: Happy New Year
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! As we get ready to bring in the new year I want to wish everyone a great start to the new year. It is always a great time to reflect back on the things we accomplished and get ready to focus on how we can make 2020 an even better year. Happy New Year! If you would like to kick off the new year on the right foot, please take advantage of your free 30-minute consultation. Please email me at bjackson@pkbgt.org to get that setup!
RecruitPKB: Merry Christmas
I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas! It's been another awesome year as the RecruitPKB College Consultant to provide education and insight on the college recruiting process. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey! If you would like to take advantage of the holiday break you can still schedule your free 30-minute consultation. Please email me at bjackson@pkbgt.org to get that setup!
RecruitPKB: Favorite Putting Drill
One of my favorite putting drills from my college and professional days is something very simple but extremely effective at building confidence and putting a little bit of pressure on making those short putts when it counts. There are several different variations of this one drill which is why I like it so much. Below are a few options to get you started. 3, 5, 7, 9ft line - Place a tee at 3ft, 5ft, 7ft and 9ft in a line on one side of hole. Begin with a fairly flat putt. Start at the 3ft putt, if you make it move back to the 5ft putt, if you make that move to the 7ft. If you miss then you must start back at the 3ft putt 9, 7, 5, 3ft line - After you have gone up the line start from the 9ft putt and move back to the 3ft, using the same scenario. Up the line and back down - Once you [...]
RecruitPKB: Happy Thanksgiving
I just want to take the time to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for the opportunity each year to meet many of you and learn more about you and your love for the game of golf. This is such a wonderful game and it's truly a blessing to get to play. I hope you enjoy the time to spend together while eating lots of great food, traveling, watching football, shopping, playing golf, and all the other holiday traditions you have with your family.
RecruitPKB: How to Contact a Coach
Last week I explained why I use the "contact 75+ schools" in all of my tips and checklists. I hope you had a chance to read that because that gets misunderstood quite often based on the situation. So this week I just wanted to provide a little insight into how you can go about contacting those coaches. Keep in mind, this is for initial communication and getting your name out there. It takes organizing your list into the programs you really want to focus on and then doing your best to build a relationship with those coaches. That takes quite a bit of time and effort so you can't expect to do that for all of the schools you may initially contact. Make sure you have a good resume that has all of the necessary information, along with a swing video. (Junior Golf Scoreboard has a great template for using their an online resume service.) If you are not a junior yet then [...]
RecruitPKB: Get Better vs Get Scholarship
I want to cover some topics during what is a busy time in the recruiting process for juniors and seniors as they are making their decisions to play college golf, whether it’s a verbal commitment in the coming months or signing their NLIs to make it official. This specific topic of Get Better vs Get Scholarship sparked my interest after a conversation I had with Coach Holly Clark at UNCC, who I absolutely love chatting with about all things college and junior golf. If you didn’t know, UNCC Women’s Golf is currently ranked 28th in just their 3rd season as a program! But something I have discussed with many coaches who have voiced this as a frustration in their recruiting and coaching approach is trying to distinguish between girls who are playing golf to get better and which ones are playing to earn a scholarship. So I wanted to spark some thoughts for the girls to consider as they are tackling this process [...]
RecruitPKB: What Freshmen and Sophomores Need to Know
Freshmen and sophomores..... are you wondering what you should be doing now that the NCAA rules prevent you from communicating with college coaches and taking visits? While the purpose of the revised NCAA rules was to limit the communication between coach and player so that early commitments could not happen and allow players more time to develop, this doesn't mean you can just sit back and wait. There are still many things you need to be doing before that date: Create a resume and video Introduce yourself to coaches via email Keep them updated on your progress and schedule Show your interest in the program Attend the right camps and showcases Take academic tours Play the right tournaments for your goals Develop your game and practice habits Improve the "intangibles" Begin a workout and nutrition regimen After 6 months of the process taking shape, we are seeing that coaches are focused on fewer players as potential recruits and are narrowing down their choices much quicker. [...]
RecruitPKB: Parents Being Awesome
I can not imagine where I would be today without the support of my parents. Yes, there are some parents out there of junior girls who need to look deep into how they behave and treat their daughters when it comes to their golf games. It breaks my heart sometimes to hear how girls feel because a parent has pushed them to a point of being so unhappy on the golf course so that was a big reason in starting this series. But so many of you are doing your best and having to learn as you go. I know its tough to want to see your daughter succeed and do well on the golf course but to have to watch her struggle. You have the ability to see years down the road and understand what this game and all of the experiences, opportunities, and growth it can provide for her. You want so badly to make sure she sticks with it even [...]