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: It Takes More Than Just Talent
“It’s not about how talented you are, it’s about how hard you work to make the most of the talent you were given” – Me This may sound crazy, but one of the biggest detriments to a young player’s development is being told how talented they are. Check out this short video about motivation and hard work. I was one of those players who had a very natural talent for golf from an early age. I didn’t have to be taught a lot of mechanics, early in my golf career swing coaches wouldn’t make any changes to my swing except a few tweaks to my setup if it got off. I could naturally figure out how to properly swing the club, work the ball, creatively get myself out of trouble and hit different short game shots around the green without thinking much about mechanics. Now that I consult and evaluate young players, it has made me look back on my career to [...]
RecruitPKB: Know Your Yardages
"They don't take enough club.... most of the time they don't know exactly how far they actually hit the ball" - Morgan Pressel Check out this VIDEO of LPGA players talking about the mistake they see amateurs (which includes junior golfers) make the most often. Knowing your yardages can seem like such a simple concept yet I continue to see it be the reason for lost shots over and over again with junior golfers. Sometimes it's ego getting in the way when a player thinks they carry the ball farther than they actually do, other times it is just not really knowing the average carry number. Learning the average yardage for each club can make a major difference in your game, especially when you face tough elements, such as elevation, temperature change, wind and adrenaline. Also learning to factor in that sometimes you need to take 2 or 3 extra clubs in certain conditions is a skill many young players don't understand. This requires [...]
RecruitPKB: Seniors Recruiting Primer
Seniors can be in one of two places at this stage. Some may be taking a sigh of relief, having just signed your NLI, while others may be in panic mode still trying to find a place to play college golf. While it is late in the process there are still options available if you work hard to contact coaches and keep an open mind. Make sure you have registered for the NCAA Eligibility Center and you have taken your ACT and/or SAT. If you don't have your resume together at this stage you need to get it completed ASAP. Make sure your resume includes all of the necessary information that a coach needs to know, along with a good recruiting video. Keep in mind most DI coaches are done with their recruiting so look mostly at DII, DIII and NAIA options. You may find some smaller, lower ranked DI schools are still looking so don't be afraid to contact them but try not [...]
RecruitPKB: Juniors Recruiting Primer
Junior year for a prospective student athlete is similar to what the pros like to call “moving day”. Saturday of a professional event is the day pros try to make their move up the leader board. They spend the first two days insuring they at least make the cut, and then it’s moving time on Saturday. Juniors need to take the same approach with their recruiting. Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center and make sure you take your ACT and/or SAT as soon as possible, many coaches need to know your scores before they can recruit you or make an offer. If you don't have your resume together at this stage you need to get it completed ASAP. Make sure your resume includes all of the necessary information that a coach needs to know, along with a good recruiting video. Begin to research potential good fits. You can use www.collegegolf.com to search and read more about the golf programs. You can also visit the team [...]
RecruitPKB: Sophomores Recruiting Primer
Sophomore year is the transition year for most junior golfers. It’s the year that tends to determine what path you will take with playing collegiate golf. In many cases where your golf game is by sophomore year will determine what level you play in college golf. This isn’t always the case but you need to make sure you maximize your time both on and off the course. As you approach the winter months it is extremely important to get your resume together and begin to send out intro emails. Yes, if your resume isn't what the coaches are looking for at this stage then you may not be able to make much progress but it is time to begin to figure that out so you can set a better game plan. Make sure your resume includes all of the necessary information that a coach needs to know. Begin to research potential good fits. You can use www.collegegolf.com to search and read more about the [...]
RecruitPKB: Freshman and Younger Recruiting Primer
As you begin to look towards your future as a junior golfer, it’s never too early to start developing a game plan. While it’s still early for the actual college recruiting process for most freshman and younger, there are many ways you can begin preparing for it and insure you are ready when the time comes. Many families believe the college recruiting process begins junior or senior year but it begins the day you decide it begins. When you reach junior year and your expectations don’t match up to your athletic and academic resume it can be very disappointing. Now is the time to be focused on goal setting, time management, practice routines, tournament schedule, fitness, work ethic, mental toughness and assertiveness. As we near the end of 2015, it is a great time to set some goals for the upcoming year. Write down a few big outcome goals you have in mind, but remember the important part of setting goals is to [...]
RecruitPKB: Being Thankful and Gracious
"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation". - Brian Tracy Being thankful and gracious are two topics that I catch myself emphasizing over and over again in my articles, evaluations and seminars but it simply can not be said enough, especially in today's world. While you may not think about the importance of these when it comes to college recruiting, they really can set you apart from so many others who don't take the time to be thankful or gracious. And not only in regards to college recruiting, they simply teach you two qualities that are so important in the world today and can even help to improve your mental state on the golf course. With Thanksgiving coming up, take the time to tell those in your life thank you for what they do for you. Parents, coaches, instructors, teachers [...]
RecruitPKB: National Letter of Intent
https://youtu.be/zXcZeknDdQ0 Signing the NLI (National Letter of Intent) is a big step in the recruiting process. There are a few things you need to be aware of before you sign your NLI. Keep in mind the NLI is an agreement between the student athlete and the institution, not with the coach. So if a coach leaves you are still obligated to attend the institution unless you are granted a release. The NLI is an agreement that you are receiving athletic scholarship. If you are only receiving academic scholarship or paying your own tuition then you cannot sign the NLI. NLI's are only signed once with an institution. You will be notified annually if your athletic aid is being renewed, unless extenuating circumstances occur your aid will be renewed or possibly increased. All other institutions are obligated to cease recruitment of an athlete once the NLI is signed and the athlete should notify all other institutions of their decision. Signing your NLI does [...]
RecruitPKB: Making Your College Decision Part 2
As we near the NCAA’s Early Signing Period (November 11-18, 2015), there will be seniors from all over the world making their final decision on where they will play their college golf. The majority have already made a verbal commitment, in some cases as early as their freshman or sophomore year, and will now make it official by signing their NLI (National Letter of Intent). It’s the moment every young golfer dreams about from the time they play their first tournament, well that and maybe making the winning putt to win The Masters or the US Women’s Open. It’s their day to announce to the world where they have officially committed to play college golf. They wear their future college colors, and while surrounded by their parents and coaches, they have their picture taken as they sign their NLI. Don’t get me wrong, every young golfer should be thrilled and excited for this day in their junior golf career, it’s a huge accomplishment, but many [...]
RecruitPKB: Making Your College Decision Part 1
Part 1 of Making Your College Decision comes straight from the thoughts and opinions of college coaches. Keep in mind, each individual coach has their own recruiting style and they look for different qualities in a player that fits their coaching style so some answers may not apply to your current situation. But as you read through the quotes you will begin to see some similarities that should help you as you make your final college decision. From a coach's perspective, what are some factors to help a junior golfer determine the right fit? "Do they like the school, the coach and the team? Does the school have the correct major for the student. It is important to establish a relationship with the coach and to know the students on the team. The student must be qualified academically. The student has to have a solid tournament record." - Division 1 Women's Golf Coach "Does the school have my major field of study? How many [...]