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: New Year Ahead
As we say goodbye to 2022, it's also a great time to reflect back on what you learned this year. This is a great topic to share with the coaches that you have been reaching out to and give them some insight into your year. While you want to focus on the year ahead, take a few minutes to consider what you have learned this year and some of the ways you have grown as a student-athlete Did you learn any new skills? Have you developed better habits? Were you able to help others in need? What did you learn to appreciate more? What obstacles did you overcome? What we some of the highlights of the year? Jot down a few of these and reflect on them as you begin to shift your sights on the new year! Written by: Brandi Jackson, RecruitPKB College Consultant For more information about college recruiting, please contact Brandi at bjackson@pkbgt.org
RecruitPKB: Handshake Tips
Making a good first impression on a coach (or anyone) is such an important skill to master. Start by practicing your handshake. Here are some tips: Smile: A big smile always makes a good first impression Hearty Hand: Firm grip but don’t overdo it Address: Address them by name if you know it. Or just introduce yourself by name and say “nice to meet you” Keep Eye Contact: Maintain good eye contact. Try not to look down or away. Smile with your eyes Enthusiasm Wins: Good energy and excitement to meet them. -Brandi Jackson, RecruitPKB College Consultant For questions or to schedule your free PKB 30 Minute Initial Consultation send an email to bjackson@pkbgt.org
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 [...]
Recruit PKB: Learn From Others
As a young golfer, you can always learn something from other players, especially ones who have reached a level that you are aiming to reach. You can do this from the comfort of your own home by watching golf on TV. Watch the tour players go through their decision-making process and pre-shot routine. You will hear them assess the situation, pick a club and pick a specific target. Listen to the commentators when they say what clubs the players choose to hit around the greens and really watch how they play the shots. Watch how they handle bad breaks and bad shots. Another great way you can learn from better players is to go watch a collegiate tournament that is close to home. This is a great opportunity to not only watch the players but also the coach. Watch how they interact with each other and how the player listens to the coach. If this is the coach of a school you are interested [...]
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: Negative Self Talk
Every time you hit a bad shot, have a bad hole, or make a mental mistake stop for a second and ask yourself this question. What would I tell my playing partners if they did the same thing? I highly doubt you would tell them “that was stupid” or “geez what were you thinking” or “you’re terrible”. More than likely you would tell them “it’s OK” or “shake it off” and not really have much emotion towards their shot. You may feel bad for them if they are having a rough day but you would never put them down or belittle their golf skills. So why do that to yourself? Why beat yourself up about a bad shot or mental mistake? Shouldn’t you be as quick to boost your own self up as you would be to do it for somebody else? We can all be our own worst enemy and while a small amount of criticism towards yourself can be a good motivator, [...]
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 [...]