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: Hula Hoops
Growing up I was a master hula hooper. I could keep a hula hoop going for hours if I had to, even two or three at a time. My hips don't move quite as fast as they use to so I've found a new purpose for hula hoops these days. They are awesome, inexpensive practice tools. You can use them for a number of different drills. Below are just a few of them: Chipping: Lay a hula hoop about 5-6 feet on the green and practice landing different clubs inside the hoop. Take a few steps back farther off the green and continue landing balls in the hoop with all of your wedges, 9iron, and 8iron. Set a goal to get so many out of 5 inside the hoop with each club before you move on to another club. Pitching: Lay a hula hoop about 10 feet onto the green and start from about 10 yards off the green. Practice pitching into the hula [...]
RecruitPKB: I Didn’t Sign, Now What?
I know it may feel like everyone else signed their NLI last week but don't worry! There are still opportunities out there and coaches who need players. You can still find an opportunity to play college golf and sign during the regular signing period in April if you put some work into the process. Keep a good schedule of tournaments lined up throughout the fall, winter, and spring. Let the coaches know where you will be playing. Focus mostly on DII, DIII, NAIA and JuCo schools, as most DI programs will have finished their recruiting. There are still some DI coaches looking for players into the spring of senior year, but it's a more rare occurrence so don't put many eggs in that basket. Try to consider some colder areas of the country as those programs tend to fill up their roster later. The better academic schools usually finish the process in the fall of senior year so many times you may have to sacrifice [...]
RecruitPKB: What is the NLI?
As we wrap up the NLI Early Signing Period, I wanted to share some insight on FAQs about signing an NLI. What is the NLI? The NLI (National Letter of Intent) is an agreement signed by the student-athlete, parent or guardian and the institution that states the student athlete’s commitment to attend the institution for one full academic year, in return the institution agrees to provide athletic financial aid for one full academic year. How is it different from a verbal commitment? The NLI is different from a verbal commitment in that it is legally binding and it's an agreement between the student-athlete and the institution (not the coach). Also, the NLI can only be signed during designated signing periods (see below) whereas a verbal commitment can be made at any time. When is the NLI signed? For golf, there are two signing periods, an NLI can only be signed during these periods: Early Signing Period for 2017-2018 Academic Year: November 8-15, 2017 Regular Signing Period for 2017-2018 [...]
RecruitPKB: NCAA Rules and Regulations
Knowing the NCAA rules and regulations will not only help you navigate the process better but it will also show a coach that you are serious and prepared. Keep in mind, a student-athlete can always make phone calls, send emails and take unofficial visits at any point as long as it is on their own time and money. These rules below are in regards to when and what coaches are allowed to initiate themselves. Similar to the Rules of Golf there are many different variations and interpretations of the rules. If you aren't sure of the rules you can contact the NCAA, Eligibility Center or me if you have any questions. Dates to Know: September 1st of Junior Year: Division I coaches may send recruiting materials/emails to recruits. New Update: As of August 1, 2014, coaches may also make phone calls, send texts and use any other electronic communication to contact a prospective student-athlete (June 15th after sophomore year for DII) July 1 after [...]
RecruitPKB: “Do Not Fear Failure”
The fear of failure is quite possibly the biggest detriment to a golfer's success, even for junior golfers. While kids tend to have a "no fear" attitude about many things, fear can easily creep into their golf game when the pressure is on. Growing up I was fearless. My sister and her friends would dare me to do something and without fear I would do it. From cutting flips off the monkey bars to jumping out of the hayloft to cutting flips off the high dive, you named it I would probably do it. Please do not try any of these though, I also ended up with 2 broke arms and a broken collarbone from my childhood antics. But the point is I did these without any fear of what might happen. But now as an adult, many times I look at an activity or task and think about the consequences of what might happen if I "fail". I could get hurt, I could [...]
RecruitPKB: Don’t Panic but Be Proactive
"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 [...]
RecruitPKB: Scholarships… What does it take?
What does it take to earn a scholarship? On average, if you can shoot in the 90s you will have some opportunities to play on a college team. This will typically be at a smaller school and only academic scholarship money. If you can consistently shoot in the 80s you will open up more opportunities for some athletic scholarship money. To play at a D1 school and earn athletic scholarship money you should be consistently shooting under 80 in state, regional and national tournaments at 5900 yds and longer, for better-ranked DI schools those scores need to be the mid to lower 70s. Occasionally there are exceptions to these standards, which is why it is so important to understand that if you work hard not only on your game and in the classroom but also on the recruiting process you will give yourself more options. How many scholarships are available for girls? D1 6 D2 5.4 NAIA 5 JC 8 Keep in mind [...]
RecruitPKB: Q and A with UNCG Coach
Recruit PKB College Consultant recently asked the UNCG Head Women's Golf Coach Janell Howland to answer a few questions about her recruiting and coaching philosophy. What is your own coaching philosophy? People first, Students second, Golfers third. Everything we do in our program revolves around those 3 things, in that order. What do you love about being a college coach? Seeing personal growth from each girl from the time they get to me until the time they graduate. What do you look for with a resume and swing video? Grades, Golf Scores from multiple years to see how they are trending, Extra activities that they are involved in. I want to see an all-around person as well as an athlete. What are some good questions you ask players on visits to help determine the best fit? What size of school are they looking for? What size of team are they looking for? Are they looking to stay close to home or go far away? What [...]
RecruitPKB: College Golf is an Experience Unlike Any Other
Although many of you may be years away from heading off to college, I wanted to share some insight into what makes the experience of college golf so awesome! - ♦️ Playing college golf is a privilege - Yes, you earned it thru hard work and dedication as a junior golfer, but it's still not something you're "entitled" to, it is an opportunity provided to you that comes with a lot of responsibility and respect! Do not EVER take that for granted!! ♦️ Be a good teammate - Many aspects of college golf are still very individual but remember that you're part of a team. Support and cheer for your teammates, help them out any way you can, don't stir up team drama and embrace their unique qualities and different backgrounds. On our team in college, we had players from MN, PA, CT, SC, GA, IL and RI. We had Catholics, Baptists, Jehovah's Witness, non-denominational and non-believers. We had social butterflies and we had homebodies. We [...]
RecruitPKB: College Coach Wisdom
"All around good in every area. Over-achieve in academics, golf, life and community service. Be a role model." - Division 1 Women's Golf Coach While at times it may feel hard to do it all, especially as a high school athlete, do your best to overachieve in as many areas as you can. Manage your time wisely so that you can commit yourself to activities that don't all revolve around just playing golf. It's ok to take a little time away especially when it means you are doing some community service work to help others or focusing on your academics for an upcoming exam or test. While being an elite level golfer requires a lot of time and dedication, when you keep your life well rounded it helps you keep everything in perspective better.