RecruitPKB: What Is Golf IQ — And Do College Coaches Think You Have It? Part 2

This is Part 2 from a coach survey I conducted, in which I asked college coaches to weigh in on the recruiting process. Every coach is different, but what follows represents some of the most consistent and eye-opening themes from their responses. The question: What are some examples you look for to help identify good golf IQ and players who can compete and get better at the next level? The responses were fascinating — and honestly, every junior golfer and her parents should read this carefully. Play Golf. A Lot of It. One of the most practical pieces of advice came from a coach who said simply: "Players that play a lot of golf have more golf IQ than those that beat balls. My advice is to play as much as they can with all different people — adults, boys, anyone." There is no substitute for on-course [...]

By |2026-05-08T10:35:51-04:00May 8th, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Sharing Your Tournament Results with College Coaches

Sharing Your Tournament Results with College Coaches Now that spring golf is in full swing, many of you have built up a solid list of tournament results. If you haven't been keeping coaches updated along the way, now is the perfect time to compile everything into a clean, organized format and send it out. Format matters. Coaches are busy, so make your results easy to read at a glance. A chart or bullet-point list works best and should include the following for each tournament: Date & Tournament Name Golf Course Scores & Finish Stats — par, yardage, slope, and rating (when available) Most coaches will already be familiar with the tournaments in your region, including the course conditions and strength of the field. However, if you're reaching out to coaches outside your area, don't assume they have that context — a little extra detail goes a long [...]

By |2026-04-22T14:51:33-04:00April 20th, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: How to Handle Bad Breaks on the Golf Course Like a Pro

How to Handle Bad Breaks on the Golf Course Like a Pro Every player, no matter their skill level, will eventually face a bad break on the course. A ball that kicks into a bunker instead of onto the green. A putt that lips out instead of going in. A buried lie in the sand when you needed a clean shot. These moments are as much a part of golf as the game itself — and in many ways, they're what make it so compelling. The real question isn't whether bad breaks will happen. They will. The question is what you do when they do. The Jordan Spieth Example During the playoff at the Shell Houston Open several years ago, Jordan Spieth was set up over a greenside bunker shot when a camera or phone went off mid-backswing. He flinched, caught the ball fat, and the shot [...]

By |2026-04-16T16:28:47-04:00April 16th, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|1 Comment
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RecruitPKB: Prepare for Tournaments Better

Why Practice Rounds Don’t Equal Tournament Scores—and How to Prepare for That One of the most common things I hear from players and parents is: “But I played great during my practice round and shot ___.”or“I always play well at my home course.” And then the tournament comes… and the results don’t match. The reality is simple: practice rounds and tournament rounds are not the same—and they never will be. The goal isn’t to make them the same. The goal is to prepare for the difference—and understand how you’re going to feel, think, and react when it actually counts. Stop Keeping Score in Practice Rounds One of the biggest mistakes players make is treating practice rounds like tournaments. When you keep score, you start creating expectations:“I shot this yesterday, so I should shoot this again.” But conditions change. Pin locations change. Weather changes. Most importantly, pressure changes. [...]

By |2026-04-11T14:25:51-04:00April 9th, 2026|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: Warm Up Like a Pro

Why Your Warm-Up Matters More Than Your Swing One of the most common conversations I have with junior golfers isn’t about swing mechanics—it’s about preparation. Recently, I was on a call with a player who wanted help building a tournament warm-up plan. She told me she often felt rushed before her rounds, unsure of what to focus on, and never quite settled by the time she reached the first tee. The truth is—that’s not unusual. Most players walk onto the range and start hitting balls with no real intention. They’re trying to “feel good” instead of actually getting ready to play. But the best players—at every level—approach their warm-up differently. They have a plan. They’re deliberate. They understand exactly what they’re trying to accomplish before the round even begins. And if there’s one area I consistently emphasize, especially for tournament players, it’s this: Speed control on the [...]

By |2026-04-02T09:11:25-04:00April 1st, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Negative Self Talk

Talk to Yourself Like You Would a Playing Partner Every time you hit a bad shot, have a tough hole, or make a mental mistake, pause for a second and ask yourself this: “What would I say to my playing partner if they just did the same thing?” Chances are, you wouldn’t respond with,“That was stupid,”“What were you thinking?” or“You’re terrible.” More than likely, you’d say something like,“It’s okay,”“Shake it off,” or“You’ve got the next one.” You probably wouldn’t have much emotional reaction at all. You might feel for them if they’re having a rough day, but you would never put them down or question their ability. So why do we do that to ourselves? Why is it so easy to tear ourselves down after a bad shot or mistake—but so natural to build others up? You Are Not Your Enemy The truth is, many golfers become [...]

By |2026-03-26T14:25:22-04:00March 25th, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Attend a College Tourney

📌 One of the most important recruiting assignments I give my players: Go watch college golf tournaments. I cannot emphasize this enough. With the spring season getting underway, now is the perfect time to plan a trip to watch a college tournament. If you are actively going through the recruiting process and communicating with multiple coaches, you need to see them in action. It’s one thing to sit in an office, talk on the phone, and ask questions. It’s another thing entirely to see how a coach actually leads during competition. That’s where you truly learn who they are. Every coach has a different style. Some are intense and demanding. Others are more laid-back and relaxed. Often, that tone depends on how the team is playing—but not always. Pay close attention to how coaches interact with their players and how players respond. As you watch, ask yourself: [...]

By |2026-02-04T11:45:48-05:00February 2nd, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Tournament Schedule Insight

I’m often asked which tournaments or tours junior golfers should play—and how many tournaments they need on their schedule. The truth is: this isn’t a question with a simple answer. There is no “one-size-fits-all” tournament plan. Every player is different, and tournament schedules should reflect a player’s individual goals, expectations, experience, family demands, priorities, and financial means. A few factors that influence tournament scheduling include (but aren’t limited to): • College golf goals & current resume. Early on, the number of tournaments and just getting experience may matter more as players need to development their game. As improvement happens, the focus often shifts to the quality of events and how that relates to your college golf goals. • Geographic location. Tournament availability varies by state. Some players have more local options, while others must travel to compete consistently. • Family logistics. Not every family has the [...]

By |2026-01-23T13:04:13-05:00January 21st, 2026|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Looking to a New Year Ahead

As we say goodbye to 2025, it’s a great time to pause and reflect on what this past year taught you as a student-athlete. This is also a meaningful topic to share with the college coaches you’ve been communicating with—it gives them valuable insight into your growth beyond just scores and results. While it’s important to look ahead, take a few minutes to reflect on the year behind you and consider how you’ve developed both on and off the course. Ask yourself: Did you learn any new skills? Have you developed better habits or routines? What did you learn to appreciate more this year? What obstacles or challenges did you overcome? What moments or experiences stood out as highlights? Jot down a few thoughtful reflections and use them as you shift your focus toward the new year. Growth, resilience, and self-awareness matter—and coaches notice those qualities just [...]

By |2025-12-26T15:37:16-05:00December 25th, 2025|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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