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: NCAA Rules and Coaches
As the September 1 deadline came around last week several questions were raised about coaches contacting players. To clarify, the September 1 deadline rule is as follows (this is for Division 1 coaches): Starting September 1 of junior year, Division I coaches can send printed and electronic communication (handwritten letters, emails, faxes, text messages, instant messages, direct Facebook and Twitter messages) directly to a recruit and their parents/guardians. They can also can make unlimited phone calls to recruits and their parents/guardians. To further clarify, prior to the Sept 1 of junior year deadline, DI coaches are only allowed to send camp brochures and questionnaires. Recently I have had several families ask me about instances where a coach contacted them before the September 1 deadline. The only thing a coach is allowed to do is send camp info or basic questionnaires. They can reply to your email to say thanks and send you their questionnaire, then no further communication is allowed from a coach directly to [...]
RecruitPKB: James Madison Coach Q and A
This week's college coach Q and A is a special one for me. James Madison head coach Sarah Sargent and I were college teammates and roommates at Furman University. We both came into college as the underdogs among some of the top players in the country as teammates and we each paved our own paths of success both collegiately and professionally. She has also been a good friend for almost 16 years now as we played professionally for several years after college, then started our current careers that happen to coincide so we have managed to stay in touch after all these years. I am excited to see what she will be able to do with the program there at JMU. She is definitely one of a kind with a great passion for the game of golf and helping young players become the best they can be. Check out her thoughts on the recruiting process. What is your own coaching philosophy? Treat everyone as [...]
RecruitPKB: Walk Ons and Roster Spots
What is the difference between a walk-on and a roster spot? This is always a tough question to answer because many coaches use these terms differently. Generally, a walk-on means you get into the school on your own and will be given the opportunity to try out for the team. Some coaches do not allow walk-ons. If they do, you will typically play a certain number of rounds with a team member. Depending on what you shoot, the coach will decide if you make the team. It is extremely difficult to walk on because a coach has already decided on his/her team roster for that year. A roster spot is a better scenario because it is a guaranteed spot on the team, you just aren’t receiving any athletic scholarship money. Some coaches, however, will call this a "walk on" as well and don't expect you to tryout. You can receive academic or need based money through the school or outside sources. The coach will [...]
RecruitPKB: Nutrition
Nutrition is a topic I get asked by parents quite often who want me to emphasize the importance of eating properly to their daughters, and many times simply just encouraging them to eat on the golf course. As someone who's always had a hefty appetite, eating on the golf course was never an issue with me, eating healthy on the other hand was another story. I had a ritual for awhile as junior golfer that marshmallows were my good luck charm so I would devour a bag of them while I played, not exactly the healthiest of snacks. Having been a Health and Exercise Science major in college and becoming much more interested in nutrition over the years, I wanted to pass along a few suggestions to help get you started. Coming soon for PKBGT members will be more information about fitness and nutrition provided by Par4Success. One of the most important things to remember is that you need to eat on the golf [...]
RecruitPKB: Unused Golf Scholarships
Are there unused scholarships for girls? According to the NCAA, it was estimated in 2009 that over 200 of the approximately 1800 female golf scholarships were not used. While this is great news for an aspiring junior girl golfer it does lead to some misconceptions that it’s easy to get a scholarship as a female golfer. The fact is, many of these unused scholarships are at very small schools in rural areas or very expensive private schools. Many girls decide they would rather go to a bigger school and not play golf, than attend a really small school in an unfamiliar area. Finances can play a factor into the scholarships going unused as well. While it's great news to learn the school is offering you scholarship money, you may still be looking at a substantial remaining balance for tuition/room/board. Many of the unused scholarships are in colder states where it’s difficult to recruit players and fill rosters. In the warmer states, scholarships and even [...]
RecruitPKB: UNC Coach Interview
This is definitely a must read coach interview. While all coaches have their own opinions, philosophies and demands, Coach Jan Mann, the women's head golf coach at UNC Chapel Hill, has some great insight into the recruiting process and playing college golf. While I didn't play for Coach Mann she recruited me while she was at UNC Wilmington and I have been fortunate to maintain a good relationship with her and have the opportunity to spend time learning from her. Big thanks to her for taking the time to answer some questions for me. What is your own coaching philosophy? Every player is different in how you communicate and relate to them. I try to be conscious of the needs of each player and try to work with them in a manner that is beneficial to the individual. Team chemistry is very important to me. It is important to me that our program has a family atmosphere and that our team members respect [...]
Recruit PKB: Embrace the Grind
This time of year I see many junior golfers start to struggle with the grind of summer golf. Between the heat, the competition and the hundreds of golf holes played it can start to take a toll. I absolutely loved golf in the summer but it does start to become a bit of a grind. If I wasn't at a tournament, I spent all day at the golf course, usually taking a lunch and pool break during the middle of the day to cool off, then I was right back at it all afternoon and into the evening. I know for many players it may seem like work and if you aren't playing well it can really become tough to grind it out. Many non-golfers are probably at home hanging out in the air conditioning, or laying by the pool, while you sweat it out practicing or playing all day. But rather than see it as tough work, learn to embrace the grind. If [...]
RecruitPKB: The Landing Drill
When chipping from just off the green you should always pick a landing spot that you want to land the ball on. Assess the shot to determine what club will land about 5-7 ft onto the green and provide the roll needed to get to the hole. Take into account any break in the green and pick your landing spot accordingly. This will make the shot much easier when you can focus on hitting a spot that is only several feet in front of you rather than a pin that is farther away. Drill: Lay a towel or hula hoop about 5-7 ft onto the green. Start about 2 paces off the green with one of your wedges, landing the ball on the towel or hula hoop. You are only focused on where the ball lands. Repeat with SW through 8iron. A good goal is to land 15 balls on the spot with each club.
Recruit PKB: Wofford Coach Interview
Recruit PKB College Consultant Brandi Jackson caught up with Wofford Women's Golf Coach Angie Ridgeway to get her thoughts on the recruiting process and her own coaching philosophy. What is your own coaching philosophy? Work hard and have fun. Regularly evaluate your game to determine weaknesses, then formulate a plan to turn them into strengths. What do you love about being a college coach? Building relationships with the players on my team, and witnessing their growth at this stage of their lives. And, love the competition, of course. What do you look for with a resume, swing video? Good swing fundamentals; the ability to go low now and then What are some good questions you ask players on visits to help determine best fit? Why do you play golf? Describe your practice. What are some good questions they should ask you to help determine best fit? What does a weekly and daily practice schedule look like? How do you structure your practice and qualifying? [...]
Recruit PKB: Thoughts after my day of caddying
Yesterday I had the chance to caddy for one of my girls during the US Junior Girls qualifier in Cartersville, GA. We had the chance to play a practice round on Sunday, then the qualifier was on Monday. And she played well enough to qualify, Oklahoma bound in July! I'm fortunate to have the chance to get out with my players quite often to caddy and evaluate them on the course during a tournament, so I wanted to take the time to share a few of my thoughts from yesterday's experience that may help you all as well. Practice Round: Know your targets off each tee. Know your lay up spots. Know what club you want to hit based on the conditions, don't always assume it's driver. Know the elevation changes into greens and how that will affect club selection. Take note of what you hit during practice round on par 3s and where it landed on the green. Write these things down! During [...]