RecruitPKB: The D1 Syndrome

As many of you know, this syndrome is probably one of the most prevalent during the process. It is one of the main reasons why many young athletes don't find the right fit and end up unhappy. Yes having a dream of playing D1 sports is a great goal for young players. But when it is all said and done, that does not mean a D1 program is going to end up being the right fit, nor does it mean you are less of a player if you choose to go a different path. Playing D1 golf can be very overwhelming for many young golfers. The demands, sacrifices, time commitments and expectations can turn out to make your experience extremely difficult if it's not the right fit. You may find out that you aren't getting much playing time yet you are still at every workout, every practice, [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:45-04:00August 27th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: James Madison Coach Q and A

This week's college coach Q and A is a special one for me. James Madison head coach Sarah Sargent and I were college teammates and roommates at Furman University. We both came into college as the underdogs among some of the top players in the country as teammates and we each paved our own paths of success both collegiately and professionally. She has also been a good friend for almost 16 years now as we played professionally for several years after college, then started our current careers that happen to coincide so we have managed to stay in touch after all these years. I am excited to see what she will be able to do with the program there at JMU. She is definitely one of a kind with a great passion for the game of golf and helping young players become the best they can be. [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:45-04:00August 20th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|1 Comment
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RecruitPKB: Nutrition

Nutrition is a topic I get asked by parents quite often who want me to emphasize the importance of eating properly to their daughters, and many times simply just encouraging them to eat on the golf course. As someone who's always had a hefty appetite, eating on the golf course was never an issue with me, eating healthy on the other hand was another story. I had a ritual for awhile as junior golfer that marshmallows were my good luck charm so I would devour a bag of them while I played, not exactly the healthiest of snacks. Having been a Health and Exercise Science major in college and becoming much more interested in nutrition over the years, I wanted to pass along a few suggestions to help get you started. Coming soon for PKBGT members will be more information about fitness and nutrition provided by Par4Success. [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:00-04:00August 1st, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: Unused Golf Scholarships

Are there unused scholarships for girls? According to the NCAA, it was estimated in 2009 that over 200 of the approximately 1800 female golf scholarships were not used. While this is great news for an aspiring junior girl golfer it does lead to some misconceptions that it’s easy to get a scholarship as a female golfer. The fact is, many of these unused scholarships are at very small schools in rural areas or very expensive private schools. Many girls decide they would rather go to a bigger school and not play golf, than attend a really small school in an unfamiliar area. Finances can play a factor into the scholarships going unused as well. While it's great news to learn the school is offering you scholarship money, you may still be looking at a substantial remaining balance for tuition/room/board. Many of the unused scholarships are in colder [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:46-04:00July 25th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|4 Comments
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RecruitPKB: UNC Coach Interview

This is definitely a must read coach interview. While all coaches have their own opinions, philosophies and demands, Coach Jan Mann, the women's head golf coach at UNC Chapel Hill, has some great insight into the recruiting process and playing college golf. While I didn't play for Coach Mann she recruited me while she was at UNC Wilmington and I have been fortunate to maintain a good relationship with her and have the opportunity to spend time learning from her. Big thanks to her for taking the time to answer some questions for me. What is your own coaching philosophy?   Every player is different in how you communicate and relate to them.  I try to be conscious of the needs of each player and try to work with them in a manner that is beneficial to the individual.  Team chemistry is very important to me.  It [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:46-04:00July 17th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: Embrace the Grind

This time of year I see many junior golfers start to struggle with the grind of summer golf. Between the heat, the competition and the hundreds of golf holes played it can start to take a toll. I absolutely loved golf in the summer but it does start to become a bit of a grind. If I wasn't at a tournament, I spent all day at the golf course, usually taking a lunch and pool break during the middle of the day to cool off, then I was right back at it all afternoon and into the evening. I know for many players it may seem like work and if you aren't playing well it can really become tough to grind it out. Many non-golfers are probably at home hanging out in the air conditioning, or laying by the pool, while you sweat it out practicing or [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:00-04:00July 11th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: The Landing Drill

When chipping from just off the green you should always pick a landing spot that you want to land the ball on. Assess the shot to determine what club will land about 5-7 ft onto the green and provide the roll needed to get to the hole. Take into account any break in the green and pick your landing spot accordingly. This will make the shot much easier when you can focus on hitting a spot that is only several feet in front of you rather than a pin that is farther away. Drill: Lay a towel or hula hoop about 5-7 ft onto the green. Start about 2 paces off the green with one of your wedges, landing the ball on the towel or hula hoop. You are only focused on where the ball lands. Repeat with SW through 8iron. A good goal is to land [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:00-04:00July 1st, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: Wofford Coach Interview

Recruit PKB College Consultant Brandi Jackson caught up with Wofford Women's Golf Coach Angie Ridgeway to get her thoughts on the recruiting process and her own coaching philosophy. What is your own coaching philosophy?  Work hard and have fun.  Regularly evaluate your game to determine weaknesses, then formulate a plan to turn them into strengths. What do you love about being a college coach?  Building relationships with the players on my team, and witnessing their growth at this stage of their lives.  And, love the competition, of course. What do you look for with a resume, swing video?  Good swing fundamentals; the ability to go low now and then What are some good questions you ask players on visits to help determine best fit?  Why do you play golf?  Describe your practice. What are some good questions they should ask you to help determine best fit? What [...]

By |2017-09-13T12:08:47-04:00June 26th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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Recruit PKB: Thoughts after my day of caddying

Yesterday I had the chance to caddy for one of my girls during the US Junior Girls qualifier in Cartersville, GA. We had the chance to play a practice round on Sunday, then the qualifier was on Monday. And she played well enough to qualify, Oklahoma bound in July! I'm fortunate to have the chance to get out with my players quite often to caddy and evaluate them on the course during a tournament, so I wanted to take the time to share a few of my thoughts from yesterday's experience that may help you all as well. Practice Round: Know your targets off each tee. Know your lay up spots. Know what club you want to hit based on the conditions, don't always assume it's driver. Know the elevation changes into greens and how that will affect club selection. Take note of what you hit during [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:00-04:00June 18th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|0 Comments
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RecruitPKB: What I would tell my 17 year old self

This blog is a bit of a special one because I am celebrating my 34th birthday today. While 34 isn't really a big milestone birthday it did make me stop and think back to what I was doing halfway through my life when I was 17 years old. Many of the girls I work with are in that 13-18 year range and I catch myself saying to them over and over, "if I only knew then what I know now". I know many of the girls get tired of hearing that, as I did at that age, but it will never stop me from trying to impart a little wisdom on the young girls as they navigate their way through high school and into college. That span of years is the most influential time of a girl's life so I thought I would think back to what [...]

By |2017-09-13T11:46:01-04:00June 11th, 2015|College Recruiting Articles|2 Comments
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