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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RecruitPKB: Coach Communication Etiquette Tips

Quick Tips for Improving Your Coach Communication Etiquette Email Etiquette Always address the coach by name and begin with a proper greeting. Double-check grammar, spelling, and tone before sending. Make sure any necessary documents are correctly attached. Use an appropriate and professional email address. Break your message into clear, short paragraphs. Reply in a timely manner and keep communication consistent. If you’re not interested in a program, respond politely with a brief, appreciative note. Phone or Video Call Etiquette Sit up straight and stay attentive, enthusiastic, and engaged. Smile—even on a phone call—it changes your tone. Avoid filler words like “um” and “uh.” Come prepared with questions and topics to discuss. Use good manners and express gratitude for the coach’s time. Minimize background noise and distractions. Visit Etiquette (Unofficial or Official Visits) Arrive on time—early is even better. Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and smile. [...]

By |2025-11-20T09:27:54-05:00November 19th, 2025|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Taking Time Off: Why It’s Part of the Process

Taking Time Off: Why It’s Part of the Process I once had a conversation on Instagram with a young golfer that stuck with me: Her: “What are your thoughts on taking a break from golf? Like, not picking up a club for two to four weeks?”Me: “I see absolutely nothing wrong with it if you feel it’s needed — I’d almost encourage it, especially if you’ve never taken a break like that before.”Her: “Thank you! I just see other girls still grinding it out, but I don’t want to get burned out. I need to focus on me and not feel FOMO.”Me: “Exactly. A couple of weeks off will not hurt you. You have a long golf career ahead, and rest is just as important as the work you’re putting in.” Rest is Part of the Game We often see quotes with Tiger hitting balls in the [...]

By |2025-11-13T13:06:33-05:00November 12th, 2025|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: DI or Bust Mentality

Don’t Get Caught Up in the “DI or Bust” Mentality If you ask most junior golfers about their college golf goals, many will say, “I want to play Division I golf.” I hear it all the time — and just last night during a webinar, someone asked, “What’s better: low D1 or top D2?” There’s no doubt playing DI golf can be an incredible experience. It’s a big goal that can drive motivation and focus throughout your junior golf journey. But at some point, you have to recognize that DI golf isn’t the right — or even realistic — option for everyone. There simply aren’t enough spots. And with new roster limits being implemented, those opportunities are shrinking even more. It’s also important to understand that not all DI programs are created equal. Playing at a mid- or high-level D1 school can be overwhelming. The time commitments, [...]

By |2025-11-04T12:26:29-05:00November 3rd, 2025|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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