junior golf

Over the next few weeks, I am going to share some coach responses from a recent survey I did to ask coaches their opinions. Please remember that coaches look for different things and have varying opinions, but I tried to compile some of the most common and relevant responses. Question: What is your biggest piece of advice for young ladies going through this process? Be open-minded I would suggest that they not play tournaments strictly with a focus on college placement. It starts to feel like work and generally leads to worse results. Just play the game with passion and let the chips fall where they fall. Stay open. Communicate. Network with players at schools where you want to attend. Enjoy the process and don't forget to be a kid and enjoy your time in HS. Too many show signs of too much stress and not enough [...]

Over the next few weeks, I am going to share some coach responses from a recent survey I did to ask coaches their opinions. Please remember that coaches look for different things and have varying opinions, but I tried to compile some of the most common and relevant responses. Question: What do you look for and want to see regarding stats and data that a player can provide? Course yardages from tournaments are helpful Launch/speed/carry info is helpful Clubhead speed!! Any trackman information with driver and 7 iron would be great. Not too much. Clearly distance is a bonus, but mostly start with scoring. Tournament results (good and bad). Trackman yardages (7i & Driver). Scoring, yardages, a nice swing video Again...simple basics. Scores, finish, tournament name, yardage. Kind of on the opposite of this...I actually don't mind seeing Trackman/Flightscope type data. Especially if it shows how far [...]

Over the next few weeks, I am going to share some coach responses from a recent survey I did to ask coaches their opinions. Please remember that coaches look for different things and have varying opinions, but I tried to compile some of the most common and relevant responses. Question: What is the biggest red flag you see among the girls and/or the parents? Too much focus on big name schools and parents too involved Big turnoff to me if I sense that a profile is created and managed by a parent (parent email addresses, etc.). It's important to see that the athlete is ready to step out as a young adult without parents hovering. Parents taking over the process. They won't be playing for us. Too much parental involvement. And not enough excitement. Don't be afraid to tell a coach you love their school if you [...]

A few quick tips for improving your coach communications etiquette Email Etiquette: Always address the coach specifically and have a greeting to start the email Check your grammar and spelling Make sure you attach any documents Have an appropriate email address Create multiple paragraphs instead of one big chunk of an email Reply in a timely manner Reply to coaches with a nicely written email saying thank you but that you aren't interested for schools that reach out but that you aren't interested in pursuing Phone or Video Call Etiquette: Sit up straight and be attentive and enthusiastic Smile and be engaging (even on a phone call) Try to avoid the Uhs and Ums Have questions and topics to discuss Good manners and show gratitude for their time Don't have a lot of background noise Etiquette on Visits: Be on time Good handshake, look the coach in [...]

While this process has a great deal of subjectivity to it, I've come to appreciate data and numbers more over the years. This is a chart compiled of the average scores for the top 5 individuals from a mix of DI programs (through March 27th of the 2023-2024 fall and spring seasons). Typically collegiate tournaments at this level are played from approximately 6000-6200 yards. Also, collegiate tournaments are set up more difficult with pin placements, faster greens, and overall tougher conditions given the time of year that collegiate golf is played (not summer golf weather). And the added pressure of your coach and teammates counting on you heightens the stress level just a bit when you step on that first tee each time. Many times you will hear a coach say they are trying to recruit to replace their #2 or #3 players on the team, this [...]