RecruitPKB: Is It Too Early?

After giving up my professional golf career in 2010, I started working with junior golf families throughout the college recruiting process. I was speaking at high schools and tournaments all across the country about the realities of college recruiting and how to navigate the process. This was the first time I had become aware of how much the process had changed since I had gone through it as a junior golfer. One of the biggest eye openers for me was how early the process starts (and ends) and how unaware some families were about what it takes to play at the college level. I am a huge believer in keeping the game fun and not putting too much pressure on a young player. Nowadays there seems to be a lot more responsibility put on kids and more specialization of sports at a young age. I couldn’t imagine [...]

By |2018-03-06T15:52:51-05:00January 3rd, 2018|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: Don’t Overlook DIII Programs

"As a DIII coach, I see families who overlook the experience that can be had at a DIII level for a strong player." This was the answer to “what is the biggest mistake you see junior golf families make in the recruiting process?” John Rogers, Head Coach at DIII Bridgewater College gave a great answer to shed some light on the experience you can receive playing DIII college golf. Yes, it’s great to have a big goal of playing DI golf but that isn’t always the fit nor the best opportunity for many players. And don’t be scared off by the absence of “golf scholarships”, I have seen numerous players get as good if not better packages at a good DIII program than any DI or DII program was going to offer. Coach Rogers full quote: “As a DIII coach I see families who overlook the experience [...]

By |2017-12-15T14:16:11-05:00December 14th, 2017|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Growth or Fixed Mindset?

How do you handle adversity, challenges, and setbacks? With a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? One of my favorite and most influential books is Carol Dweck's Mindset. She has conducted numerous studies and research on the difference in those who possess a fixed mindset and those who have a growth mindset. This past weekend I had the opportunity to sit down with a top 50 ranked DI college golf coach to discuss plans for one of my players who would be playing there. We wanted to create some steps and goals to help this player be more prepared for when she stepped foot on campus in the fall. A lot of our discussion centered around mindset and creating more of a growth mindset when it comes to challenges and getting better at all areas of golf and life. I thought I would share a little insight into to [...]

By |2018-03-06T15:55:05-05:00December 8th, 2017|Player Performance Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Hula Hoops

Growing up I was a master hula hooper. I could keep a hula hoop going for hours if I had to, even two or three at a time. My hips don't move quite as fast as they use to so I've found a new purpose for hula hoops these days. They are awesome, inexpensive practice tools. You can use them for a number of different drills. Below are just a few of them: Chipping: Lay a hula hoop about 5-6 feet on the green and practice landing different clubs inside the hoop. Take a few steps back farther off the green and continue landing balls in the hoop with all of your wedges, 9iron, and 8iron. Set a goal to get so many out of 5 inside the hoop with each club before you move on to another club. Pitching: Lay a hula hoop about 10 feet [...]

By |2017-11-09T14:26:35-05:00November 23rd, 2017|Player Performance Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: NCAA Rules and Regulations

Knowing the NCAA rules and regulations will not only help you navigate the process better but it will also show a coach that you are serious and prepared. Keep in mind, a student-athlete can always make phone calls, send emails and take unofficial visits at any point as long as it is on their own time and money. These rules below are in regards to when and what coaches are allowed to initiate themselves. Similar to the Rules of Golf there are many different variations and interpretations of the rules. If you aren't sure of the rules you can contact the NCAA, Eligibility Center or me if you have any questions. Dates to Know: September 1st of Junior Year: Division I coaches may send recruiting materials/emails to recruits. New Update: As of August 1, 2014, coaches may also make phone calls, send texts and use any other [...]

By |2017-10-13T21:50:59-04:00October 26th, 2017|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: “Do Not Fear Failure”

The fear of failure is quite possibly the biggest detriment to a golfer's success, even for junior golfers. While kids tend to have a "no fear" attitude about many things, fear can easily creep into their golf game when the pressure is on. Growing up I was fearless. My sister and her friends would dare me to do something and without fear I would do it. From cutting flips off the monkey bars to jumping out of the hayloft to cutting flips off the high dive, you named it I would probably do it. Please do not try any of these though, I also ended up with 2 broke arms and a broken collarbone from my childhood antics. But the point is I did these without any fear of what might happen. But now as an adult, many times I look at an activity or task and [...]

By |2017-10-13T21:50:53-04:00October 18th, 2017|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Scholarships… What does it take?

What does it take to earn a scholarship? On average, if you can shoot in the 90s you will have some opportunities to play on a college team. This will typically be at a smaller school and only academic scholarship money. If you can consistently shoot in the 80s you will open up more opportunities for some athletic scholarship money. To play at a D1 school and earn athletic scholarship money you should be consistently shooting under 80 in state, regional and national tournaments at 5900 yds and longer, for better-ranked DI schools those scores need to be the mid to lower 70s. Occasionally there are exceptions to these standards, which is why it is so important to understand that if you work hard not only on your game and in the classroom but also on the recruiting process you will give yourself more options.   How [...]

By |2017-10-13T21:50:46-04:00October 5th, 2017|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Q and A with UNCG Coach

Recruit PKB College Consultant recently asked the UNCG Head Women's Golf Coach Janell Howland to answer a few questions about her recruiting and coaching philosophy. What is your own coaching philosophy?  People first, Students second, Golfers third.  Everything we do in our program revolves around those 3 things, in that order.   What do you love about being a college coach?  Seeing personal growth from each girl from the time they get to me until the time they graduate.   What do you look for with a resume and swing video?  Grades, Golf Scores from multiple years to see how they are trending, Extra activities that they are involved in. I want to see an all-around person as well as an athlete.   What are some good questions you ask players on visits to help determine the best fit?  What size of school are they looking for?  What size of team are [...]

By |2017-09-25T20:46:18-04:00September 28th, 2017|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: College Golf is an Experience Unlike Any Other

Although many of you may be years away from heading off to college, I wanted to share some insight into what makes the experience of college golf so awesome! - ♦️ Playing college golf is a privilege - Yes, you earned it thru hard work and dedication as a junior golfer, but it's still not something you're "entitled" to, it is an opportunity provided to you that comes with a lot of responsibility and respect! Do not EVER take that for granted!!   ♦️ Be a good teammate - Many aspects of college golf are still very individual but remember that you're part of a team. Support and cheer for your teammates, help them out any way you can, don't stir up team drama and embrace their unique qualities and different backgrounds. On our team in college, we had players from MN, PA, CT, SC, GA, IL and RI. [...]

By |2017-09-15T16:54:23-04:00September 13th, 2017|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: I am Proud of Who I am

I am usually posting about college recruiting and complete player content here on the ReruitPKB blog but I wrote this post last week on my personal and BJGolf social media and it really seemed to hit home with a lot of people. I thought I would share here as well in case there is a young girl out there going through some of the same things I did as a high school and college golfer. When I was in high school, my insecurities made me easily influenced and naive. - When I was in college, my insecurities made me guarded and immature. - When I was on tour, my insecurities made me easily intimidated and anxious. - After my tour days, my insecurities made me uncertain and unsettled on who I was without being a golfer. - And now I realize that my insecurities have simply made [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:44:41-04:00August 31st, 2017|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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