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6 Important College Golf Recruiting Lessons

  • May 6, 2020February 19, 2021
  • by Kris Hart
Reading Time: 5 minutes

On April 30th, 2020 the NHSGA team hosted a 3-hour live event titled “Recruited: The Ins and Outs of College Golf”. This event brought together top players, coaches, junior golfers, and recruiting experts to tell their stories and help parents and high school students navigate the college golf recruiting process. The event supported the Golf Emergency Relief Fund to support golf industry employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guests included Jennifer Kupcho, Keegan Bradley, Buddy Alexander, Herb Page, Katie Brophy Miles, Aidan Thomas, Jessica Meyers, Mike Bender, Trillium Rose and more. Below highlight 6 important college golf recruiting lessons we learned from the discussions with our speakers. You can sign-up to receive the full college golf recruiting video recording.  

Jennifer & Ed

Lesson 1 – Jennifer Kupcho and Ed Oldham

I didn’t play in a lot of big events. I was NOT recruited heavily by many colleges outside Colorado. Her PGA Coach Ed Oldham spoke to the Wake Forest women’s golf coach at The Curtis Cup years after Jennifer was recruited to Wake. Coach Dailey said, “Jennifer was not on my radar. While passing by Jennifer’s group leaving the course at the USGA Junior Girls tournament, I heard an amazing sound when Jennifer hit the ball. Coach Dailey promptly called her assistant coach and told her to come out to watch Jennifer”. 

Lesson learned – You can be one of the best players in the world, but sometimes you fly under the radar.  It only takes one swing at the right place to get the chance to attend the college of your dreams. Play in the biggest events you can qualify or attend. For Jennifer, the USGA Girls Junior was that chance.  

Keegan & Mark

Lesson 2 – Keegan Bradley and Mark Bradley

Keegan grew up with an advantage in that his father was the PGA Professional at a golf course. Mark brought Keegan to the course on a daily basis, not for work, but because it was fun. Keegan would spend all day, every day at the course picking up balls, playing holes, meeting people, and most importantly learned how to work hard on his game. Even though Keegan was a grinder and worked really hard, going to the course was fun. Hitting balls was fun. Picking the driving range was fun. Hanging out with older people was fun. 

Lesson Learned – Parents, make sure to keep golf fun for your kids. 

Buddy & Herb

Lesson 3 – Buddy Alexander and Herb Page

Retired Championship college golf coaches Buddy Alexander and Herb Page said when they were coaching college golf, “The Rankings” didn’t exist. Recruiting for college golf is a little bit easier these days for coaches since it is easier to get in touch with people and rankings can help. Both coaches agreed that the “rankings” are not an end-all because some kids cheat the system and only play in certain “ranked tournaments”. Buddy even said I’d rather recruit a kid who won his state Amateur at 15 years old versus a kid who is top-ranked in the country. 

Lesson Learned – Rankings are not everything. Competition rounds and scores, regardless of the event size, matter. Coaches said that good recruits need to learn how to win a tournament, not just earn points for playing well in a ranked event. 

Brendan, Katie & Roger

Lesson 4 – Brendan Ryan, Dr. Katie Miles, Roger Knick

If you want to play college golf, your scores are only one part of the equation. Brendan from Golf Placement Services cautioned that for anyone looking to get recruited to play college golf, having good grades is as important if not more important than just having good golf scores. Your SATs are a crucial part of the equation for anyone looking to play college golf. 

Lesson learned – Be smart. Be realistic. Compare your SAT scores, golf scores, and grades to what a college program requires. Do your homework on a program and narrow down your search to find the best school that fits your numbers. Junior Golf Hub offers a great platform for high school golfers to help find schools that may be the best fit.

Jessica, Aidan, Dillon, Tanner

Lesson 5 – Aidan Thomas, Jessica Meyers, Dillon Brown and Tanner Kutek

All four students have had different experiences playing college golf. The students each shared advice about how they went through their college search and what it is like to play college golf. Students and parents thinking about getting recruited for college golf need to think about location, size of the school, the strength of the program, and how academically focused a college may be. Balancing school, college golf, and trying to have a social life is difficult. Tanner Kutek explained how his experience playing club golf was best for him since he has a difficult major and needed to study. Tanner also wanted to stay engaged with his two passions of golf and hockey. Tanner was able to get the best of both worlds by becoming an academic leader on campus while still pursuing his two passions through playing club hockey and club golf.

Lesson Learned – Everyone can play college golf. Whether you want to play varsity golf or NCCGA club golf, there is an opportunity for everyone to play golf in college.

Mike, Aaron, Trillium, Rebecca

Lesson 6 – Mike Bender, PGA and Trillium Rose, PGA

Mike and Trillium lead a discussion with two of their students Aaron Du and Rebecca Schiffman. Both Aaron and Rebecca talked about their PGA coaches and how much it means to them to have a coach who sets up a plan, teaches them lessons, and helps them become better golfers. Mike and Trillium talked about setting goals and having a plan. If you are a junior golfer looking to play college golf, it is important to have a coach who is going to help you along the way, set realistic goals on where you can play college golf, and utilize their relationships to help you get found by the right college coaches.

Lesson Learned – Every junior golfer looking to play college golf needs a team. Within that team are parents, friends, and most importantly a PGA golf coach who is going to set forth a great golf plan. Here is some info on how to find a PGA golf coach near you. 

We hope you enjoyed this article sharing important tips for playing college golf. If you are interested in learning beyond these 6 lessons, you can sign-up to receive the full college golf recruiting video recording.  

March 31, 2020

Most Inspiring high school golf stories

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Why do you play high school golf? Is it because you are able to be with your friends? Spending time outdoors? Or maybe because you just love competing? There are over 224,000 high school golfers that play across the country. Each year, many have overcome adversity, challenges, and setbacks to perform at the highest level. Let’s take a moment to showcase some of the most inspiring high school golf stories. 

Drew Charter High School 

Drew Charter Academy, an all-black high school in Georgia achieved history last spring. The team became the first all-black high school golf team to win a state championship in GHSA history. With their state championship win, they represented the state of Georiga at the 2019 NHSGA High School Golf National Invitational at Walt Disney World Resort. 

Not too long ago, Drew Charter could not field a full team of players to compete in a match. Many other local schools wouldn’t consider scheduling a match with the team. This season, the team expects more than 35 kids to try out.  Coach Joe Weems explained his coaching philosophy. “It’s not just golf, it’s about having someone they can go to throughout the day just in general. I’m real big on culture and climate. The culture is having a winning attitude, but the climate is about family and taking care of one another.”

Max Roberts – from homelessness to a state championship

Max Roberts was a typical high school student from Oklahoma with an exceptional golf game and love for the sport. Before his senior year state championship in the spring of 2019, he experienced a setback that would cause adversity for any high school golfer. Max’s parents underwent a messy divorce that essentially left him and his mom without a home and place to go. 

Before the state championship, Max gathered his team to fill them in on what was happening at home in his personal life. His teammates assured Max that they had his back, no matter what. Max opened the state tournament with rounds of 72-70 and had a two-shot lead going into the final round. He fired a 71 for the final round and ended up winning the state tournament by four strokes.

 Max finished in a tie for 15th at the 2019 High School Golf National Invitational with rounds of 72-74. His community rallied around his family to raise the funds needed for them to travel to Disney last summer. “A house is just a house,” he says. “Your family, your friends … that is your real home.”

Jordan Spieth inspires Massachusetts high school golfer to a state championship

Austin Vogt, a 2019 high school senior did not make his high school golf team for the past three consecutive years. Discouraged, he just about gave up his hopes of representing his school on the golf team. As fate would have it, Austin had an opportunity to meet with his golfing hero, Jordan Spieth after a PGA Tour event in Boston. Spieth not only encouraged Austin to work at his game, but shared a story in which he faced challenges during his high school career. Vogt was instantly inspired by his encounter with Spieth and vowed to rededicate himself to his game. 

During the tryouts his senior year, Vogt finally made the golf team. As team captain, he led his team to a second-place finish in the state tournament and a trip to the NHSGA National Invitational. Vogt’s determination and a little helpful inspiration from one of his golfing heroes propelled him to accomplish one of his goals. 

High school golf is so special because you have teammates, coaches, and friends around you at all times. In times of adversity or challenge, golf can help bring out the best in all of us. Have a story that you would like to share with the NHSGA? Please email NHSGA Manager Chris Noble at Chris@highschoolgolf.org 

Posted By: Chris Noble

March 24, 2020

Best real-grass putting courses

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When we think of putt-putts, we typically think of windmills, artificial turf, and colored golf balls. However, a trend of real-grass putting courses is popping up all across the country. Let’s take a look at some of the best real-grass putting courses and what makes them so special. 

Thistle Dhu at Pinehurst

Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina is a destination for almost any golfer. In addition to the 10 courses, they have on property, the Thistle Dhu 18-hole putting course is perfect for any age and level of golfer. In 1916, James Barber of Pinehurst designed Thistle Dhu, the first miniature golf course. Word has it that after having seen his finished course, Barber declared to his designer, ‘This’ll do!’ An American icon was born.

The Punchbowl at Bandon Dunes

Bandon Dunes is a premier golf resort on the West Coast in Oregon. The resort boasts 6 courses and The Punchbowl is a 100,000 square foot putting course designed by Jim Doak and Jim Urbina. Tom Doak was quoted saying, “You will find every kind of putt you can imagine out there, and probably a few you’ve never dreamed of. ”

Welter’s Folly

This is a unique one. If your travels take you to Southwest Michigan, you will be surprised to find this 18 hole putting course at one of the favorite distilleries in the area. Welter’s Folly is a 30,000 square foot putting course located at Journeyman’s Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan. Come for a nice brunch with the family, and stay for a friendly putting game afterward. 

Little Hawk 

Keeping with our Michigan theme, Hawk Hollow Golf Club in Bath, MI (just outside of Lansing) boasts an 18 hole natural grass putting course. Little Hawk, a par 54 bentgrass putting course features bentgrass undulated greens in a picturesque setting. Families, couples, seniors, juniors – a fun spot for everyone! 

Whitewater Course at Horseshoe Bay Resort

Our next stop is out in Texas at Horseshoe Bay Resort. The Whitewater Course is an 18 hole par 72 miniature course with Zoysia greens. The course is filled with bunkers and water hazards that putters must avoid. Considering the course is lighted, players can even enjoy the fun even after the sun sets! 

Devine Nine at Angel Park

Our final stop takes us out to Las Vegas and Angel Park Golf Club. The Devine Nine is the world’s first 9 hole lighted real grass putting course. Dogleg fairways, rough, bunkers and water hazards all have to be avoided while navigating this putting course. 

Know of any other real grass putting courses/greens in the U.S.? Please email me Chris@highschoolgolf.org for us to showcase as well. Happy putting! 

Posted By: Chris Noble

March 4, 2020

What happens if I don’t get recruited to play…

GCU collegiate club golf Reading Time: 3 minutes

According to the NCAA and NFHS, around 7% of high school golfers will go on to play varsity golf at any level in college. Getting recruited to play college golf is a long and difficult process which causes confusion, time, money, and pain for many student athletes and their families. Since the odds are stacked against many high school golfers looking to play college golf, I thought it would be helpful to share some information for parents and students who do not get recruited to play college golf. There is a lot of advice out there about getting recruited, but not enough information to help the 93% that do not get recruited.

Play collegiate club golf

  • Did you know anyone can play college golf? The National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) runs college golf tournaments all across the country for students at over 400 colleges and universities. NCCGA hosts weekend tournaments for students to compete on a local and national scale during the fall and spring semesters while in college. Anyone can play club golf since the events are co-ed, all swings are welcome (tournament scores range from 65-105), and the only requirement to play is that you are a full-time college student. Learn more about playing club golf.

Play golf for fun on campus

  • There are around 100 college campuses in the US that have golf courses directly affiliated with the campus. A course like Forest Akers on Michigan State’s campus is especially welcoming and accommodating to students by offering students 36 holes and the ability to play golf for a significantly low rate. If you are looking to focus on academics, but not playing on a golf team any longer, just playing for fun while at college can be the best medicine to relax during those stressful times.

Still looking to get recruited to an elite program, but started too late?

Delay college for a year

  • Delay college for a year – If you are someone who should have been recruited to play college golf, but may not be ready for college or need another year to prepare your game for a specific level program, there are many golf academies that help high school golfers with college golf preparation. Golf academies are typically very costly. However, they will do a great job getting you prepared for college and help you get recruited a year later. Need some help finding a golf academy?

Try to walk-on

  • Walking on to a varsity college golf team is very, very difficult. There are many great stories out there about kids who have walked on to programs and been very successful college golfers, but it is rare to even get a chance for a walk-on spot especially at a larger school. Although I do not have any direct data or research to back this besides numerous conversations with college golf coaches, the majority of coaches I speak to do not even off a walk-on tryout anymore.  A better alternative to walking on the team might be playing club golf and proving yourself to the college coach. Here is a story about how Ian Martin from the University of Michigan did just that.

If you are in the 93% of high school golfers who do not get recruited to play college golf, do not worry since you are 1 of 200,000 other kids in the same boat. Hopefully the above advice is helpful for you to stay involved in the game of golf and enjoy your college experience at the same time.

Click here for a full, comprehensive college golf recruiting guide.

Posted By: Kris Hart |

March 4, 2020

A comprehensive guide to college golf recruiting

high school golf recruiting Reading Time: 4 minutes

The college golf recruiting process can be difficult to manage. Junior golfers and parents are searching for colleges, researching golf teams and how to communicate with coaches. However, just because the process takes time does not mean it has to be overwhelming. The guide below will provide families with a good understanding of each step necessary to navigate collegiate golf recruiting.

Creating a college golf resume

The first step before ever contacting a college golf coach is to create a resume with your athletic and academic accomplishments. Resumes should be digital and easily accessible for college coaches to access. Important information that needs to be included: 

  • Tournament Scoring Average
  • Junior Golf Scoreboard Rank
  • AJGA Rank 
  • Golfweek/Sagarin Rank
  • NHSGA Rank 
  • Current GPA
  • ACT/SAT Score

In addition to all of your golf and academic averages and ranks, it is important to include a swing video for coaches to view. 

A few additional touches to your resume that would be helpful:

  •  Include a personal reference that a college coach could contact to learn more about you. (High school golf coach or swing instructor)
  • A personal statement in your resume. 3-4 sentences are perfect, talking about who you are and what you are looking for in a college and golf team.

Is your family looking for extra help creating a resume and navigating the process? Junior Golf Hub allows players to create a digital online profile, get noticed by college coaches and find and follow favorite schools. 

Understanding NCAA recruiting rules & calendar

The NCAA communication guidelines can be intimidating at first to understand for families. Let’s break it down in terms of what a junior golfer and college coach can and cannot do over the process: 

NCAA Division 1

Student-Athletes Can: 

  • Fill out recruiting questionnaires 
  • Send emails/updates to coaches
  • Leave voice-mails for college coaches at any point

Student-Athletes Cannot: 

  • Go on an official or unofficial visit until August 1st of their junior year
  • No off-campus contact (communicating with a coach at a junior tournament) until Aug. 1st of Junior year
  • Zero communication from a coach to a student-athlete until June 15th after their Sophomore year

NCAA Division 2

Student-Athletes Can:

  • Fill out recruiting questionnaires 
  • Send emails/updates to coaches
  • Leave voice-mails for college coaches at any point 
  • Go on an unofficial visit at anytime

Student-Athletes Cannot:

  • Go on an official visit until June 15th after Sophomore year 
  • Coaches cannot call student-athletes until June 15th after Sophomore year
  • No off-campus contact (communicating with a coach at a junior tournament) until June 15th after Sophomore year

NCAA Division 3

NCAA Division 3 has the most relaxed recruiting rules of all the NCAA Division levels. 

  • Athletes can receive recruiting materials at any time
  • There is no limit on when a college coach calls a student-athlete
  • There is no limit on when college coaches can contact student-athletes digitally
  • After the student-athletes Sophomore year, college coaches may begin off-campus communication (junior tournaments) with a student-athlete
  • A student-athlete can begin taking official visits after January 1st of their junior year

NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) & NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association)

The NAIA or the NJCAA does not regulate the communication between a coach and a current high school athlete. 

Communicate, communicate, communicate

Emails – There are a few tips to always consider when emailing a college golf coach. 

  • Start with the assistant coach first
  • Avoid Monday’s when reaching out as they will typically be their busiest
  • Check the team’s schedule before reaching out to them 
  • Personalize and individualize each email that you send, never just send a generic email

Phone Calls – Calling a college coach can be intimidating, but keeping a few keys in mind, you will be successful

  • Do some homework & research on a coach and team before calling
  • Have a few questions prepared that you want to be answered
  • Have a plan going into the call and be yourself 

Campus Visits – Paying a visit to a college coach on campus is a great way to make a good first impression

  • Make sure to wear clothes that you will be comfortable making a good first impression in (ideally business casual)
  • You as the student-athlete should do most of the talking and answer questions that the coach brings up while on the visit
  • If you meet with the team, ask as many questions as you can about the team culture and what they like and dislike about the school

Follow up’s – Always remember to send a thank-you note to a coach and their staff after having a chance to meet with them on campus. Small gestures like this can go a long way. 

Verbal Scholarships & National Letter of Intent

It’s always an exciting time when a student-athlete received a verbal scholarship from a coach. However, nothing is official until after that verbal scholarship offer is followed up with a National Letter of Intent. A (NLI) is a binding agreement between a student-athlete and a college/university that binds an athlete to that school for one academic year. Only NCAA Divison 1 and NCAA Division 2 schools utilize the program. 

Want to play college golf but you’re not getting recruited by any schools? Here’s what to do if you’re having trouble getting recruited for a team. If you have other questions about college golf recruiting, feel free to reach out to me at chris@highschoolgolf.org

Posted By: Chris Noble

February 26, 2020

How to prepare for a high school golf tournament

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Showing up for a tournament can be nerve-racking, whether it’s your first or the state championship Senior year. There are many ways to prepare the days leading up to a tournament, but here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you stay focused and shoot the best round possible.

Take it easy the day before a tournament. I recommend hitting balls for 30 minutes and spending an hour on the chipping and putting green. If you are heading out to the course, I recommend playing 9 holes and not keeping score. Hit some extra shots, especially around the greens. Don’t forget to hit some shots that make you uncomfortable so when they come up the next day, you’re ready.

How to prepare for a golf tournament

Eat a healthy but light breakfast. In my experience, some fruit, yogurt, and granola are some of the best items you can have. Nothing too filling that’s going to make you drag during your round. Having a First Tee bar or another small snack in your bag for later is never a bad idea either.

Chat with your teammates and coach about strategy. Maybe there’s a member of your team who has played the course before and has some local knowledge. Maybe your coach has some ideas to help avoid those chunky chips you’ve been hitting. It’s important to strategize at least a bit to help you feel more comfortable on the first tee.

How to prepare for a high school golf tournament

Set two realistic goals for yourself. One can be your score, but the other should be something else entirely. Maybe you’ve been hitting too many drives Out of Bouds and it’s costing you strokes. Your goal for the day could be to keep your drives in play. Maybe that means iron or hybrid off the tee instead of driver or wood. These goals can actually help you strategize better and play a cleaner round of golf.

Stay calm. If you’re nervous on the way to the tournament, try keeping your mind off of it by thinking of other things. Listen to your favorite music. I’ve had the issue before where I imagine what the first tee shot would be like all the way to the golf course and proceeded to hit my drive OB. That shot was all I thought about all morning and I put way too much pressure on myself to follow through.

Posted By: Kris Hart |

January 29, 2020

Why a high school golfer should get involved with…

Reading Time: 2 minutesYouth on Course (YOC) provides life-changing opportunities for youth golfers. One of the most recognizable opportunities is access to affordable golf. Take a look at some of the many reasons why you should get involved with Youth on Course:

Receive a USGA Handicap number

As a YOC member, you are also a part of your state’s Allied Golf Association. You’ll receive a membership card with an official USGA Handicap number (YOC membership number) that allows you to post your scores, track your progress and play golf for $5 or less at participating facilities. Your handicap number is what helps you level the playing field with others – it is also important to establish a handicap number if you want to enter competitions or tournaments.

YOC Caddy

Play golf for $5 or less (we’re serious)

Once you receive your Youth on Course membership number, you can start playing golf at more than 1,200 courses across North America. With more access to facilities, it means playing a variety of courses to help improve your game, too. Your YOC membership works in all participating regions and at all participating facilities. There is no limit to how many times you can play golf for $5 or less. So, get practicing! Check out some of GolfWeeks top-ranked courses that YOC members can play for $5! Oh, and this championship course, too.

Get social – Meet new friends and make connections

One of the best aspects of golf is spending time (~4 hours) on a golf course and getting to know the people you are paired up with. Whether it’s family or friends that you already know or joining a threesome of people you don’t – golf gives you the quality time to socialize and learn something new about others. Who knows, maybe you’ll even meet your role model.

College Scholarships

We know that college is more expensive than ever. Youth on Course awards more than $250,000 a year to deserving high school graduates who are in the pursuit of higher education. Scholarships are based on both need and merit. Applications open in January each year.

In Northern California, YOC members have access to additional opportunities – including the Youth on Course Caddie and Internship program. California members can learn more about these employment opportunities here.

So, have we convinced you yet? Join Youth on Course and gain access to life-changing opportunities.

Posted By: Chris Noble

January 22, 2020

2020 High School Golf National Invitational

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In June 2019, the National High School Golf Association ran the inaugural High School Golf National Invitational in Orlando Florida. The event was created to give the love and recognition that high school golfers truly deserve along with an opportunity to elevate the high school game to new heights. 43 states and nearly 300 golfers competed making the National Invitational the largest and most prestigious high school golf tournament. This coming June, the National Invitational heads to historic Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. 

This year’s Invitational will see 324 boys and 216 girls compete in the field and 49 states represented (Alaska doesn’t have high school golf.) Alongside the opportunity to compete at one of the greatest golf resorts in the U.S. – we are fortunate to have the support of other leading junior golf organizations. 

Both the boys and girls medalist will receive an exemption into the 45th Junior PGA Championship in Florida this July. Junior Golf Scoreboard and World Amatuer Golf Rankings will be recognizing the Invitational. The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is a proud sponsor and will award PBE points to top finishers in both the Boys and Girls Invitational. 

To date, we have representation from every state that sponsors high school golf in the fall – be sure to check out the current field and states represented. Players from all backgrounds and locations of the country will be represent their state for the 3 day 54 hole event. “A main focus for the Invitational is celebrating diversity and inclusion for high school golfers across the country,” said NHSGA Manager Chris Noble. “We are looking to create an experience and culture where each and every player feels welcome and celebrated.” 

If you would like to learn more about the National Invitational, please feel free to contact NHSGA Manager at Chris@highschoolgolf.org 

Posted By: Chris Noble

January 16, 2020

Best Etiquette Practices for High School Golfers

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When it comes to a new high school golfer stepping foot on a golf course for the first time, it can be an intimidating experience. What do I wear? How should I act? What do I do on the course? The game of golf has certain “norms” or rules that should be observed by all golfers. If you are newer to the game, here are some tips to practice the best etiquette on the golf course. 

Attire

Each golf course can differ when it comes to their dress code. Private clubs will typically be more strict than public golf courses. A good rule of thumb for men would be to wear a collared shirt “polo” and khaki shorts/pants with golf shoes. Try to avoid wearing denim if possible. For women, a collared or collarless golf shirt, skirt, khaki or colored shorts/pants. I would recommend calling the course before arriving to confirm. 

Driving Range

When arriving at the driving range, make sure that you provide enough room between yourself and the golfer next to you that you do not interfere with their swing. If you do play music, try to keep it at a level that does not disturb other golfers and use headphones to avoid distractions. Lastly, there is a proper way of making sure you take the least amount of turf when making divots. 

Tee Box

When arriving to the tee box, it is important to introduce yourself to the other members of the group you will be playing with. Identify the golf ball that you will be playing (and try to use a sharpie to put an identifying mark on it that is unique to you.) If you are walking, keep your golf bag off the teeing area (closely mown grass) and stand on the side of the tee box that the golfer is facing, rather than directly behind them. If you take a divot on the tee box, be sure to replace the divot or use a sand mix if available. 

Fairways & Rough

As you are hitting your golf shot in the fairway, be sure to replace any divots that are taken. If you are walking, try to keep pace with your other playing partners, don’t walk too far ahead or behind. Whoever is the farthest away from the hole will hit their shot first and so on. 

Sand Bunkers

If your ball ends up in a bunker, always enter at the lowest point. After you hit your shot, be sure to take the rake that is nearest to you and rake any footprints or marks that were left to ensure the next golfer has the same conditions you had. When raking, always rake the sand away from you rather than pulling the sand toward you. 

Greens

The putting green or greens are the most fragile surface of the entire golf course and it’s important to treat them with care. When walking on a green, pick your feet up to avoid dragging your spikes and leaving marks. If you make a ball mark on the green, be sure to fix it. Similar to the rest of the course, the player who is the farthest away from the hole goes first and so on and so on. It’s important to have a ball marker or coin with you in your pocket so you can “mark” the ball when your other playing competitors are putting. 

Hopefully, some of these above tips and advice will help you as you head to the course to practice your best etiquette and practices. Talk to the upperclassman and more senior members on your team if you are unsure of any etiquette practices. Be safe, and have fun! 

Posted By: Chris Noble

November 25, 2019

Do You Have What It Takes to Play College…

Reading Time: 5 minutesThis article was authored by, Nicky Goetze. 

Since 2011, Nicky has specialized in providing expert guidance to families who are pursuing college golf. He’s a 3-time All-American at Clemson, and a former Division 1 head coach for the FSU Seminoles and Mississippi State Bulldogs. 

In addition to Nicky’s consulting work, he shares his experienced perspective to junior golfers and their parents on Junior Golf Scoreboard’s Going to College column. Also, the American Junior Golf Association features Nicky as an official College Golf Advisor.

We’re excited to have Nicky contribute to NHSGA’s content, and we know you’ll benefit from his advice.

—- 

Do You Have What It Takes to Play College Golf?

Learn what coaches are looking for to gain a recruiting edge.

If you’re engaged in the recruiting process, you might be wondering what college coaches are looking for in an ideal recruit. Of course, coaches look for different levels of players depending on the caliber of their team. But I believe all coaches are looking for junior golfers who possess key attributes (as golfers, students and people) that will set the stage for achievement during their college career.

Rankings & Scores Aren’t Everything

If you’re like a lot of junior players, you’re checking your rankings. Hey, I get it. You want to know where you stand… and coaches definitely look at rankings (JGS, Golfweek-Sagarin, AJGA Rolex and even WAGR) as a part of their research. Just remember that rankings help coaches build a list of qualified recruits, but aren’t a primary tool they use for decision making (more on this later in this article). 

Coaches also pay attention to how juniors fare when competing in strong tournament fields and on difficult courses. College golf plays harder than junior golf, so they like to see who shines on the big stage. And don’t forget about wins and low rounds. Winning at any level draws interest and a sprinkling of under-par scores moves the needle too. Coaches are not seeking “perfect” junior golfers, but these data points (and the rankings) begin to direct coaches toward prospects who are performing at a level that aligns with their preferred recruiting profile. 

Represent your school high school golf

Make the Grades

Strive to attain the best grades and SAT/ACT scores you can during your high school years. Coaches know strong students will be more equipped to handle the challenges of balancing academic and golf responsibilities in college especially when missing classes due to team travel. Academic achievement also indicates that prospects will be dedicated as they go about their studies and manage their time well. Both of these traits contribute to the success of a student-athlete in college.

Lastly, strong academics may open doors to schools and golf programs that require higher level GPAs and test scores. You can earn more money too since coaches are often able to pair academic awards with athletic scholarship. 

Real Recruiting Happens on the Road

Having said all of this, if scores, rankings, grades and test results were the only items used to evaluate players, coaches could just recruit at home via the internet. But there’s more to the evaluation process. 

Coaches attend many junior tournaments each year to learn about recruits they’re interested in. They will observe players on the practice facility and on the golf course. What are they looking for? Well, often it’s things kids wouldn’t expect. Let me explain.

What Are Coaches Looking For?

On the practice area, coaches take their “coaching pose” and stare with what feels like x-ray vision to begin looking at your overall skills and technique. Keep in mind, your technique doesn’t have to be textbook (unique swings, wedge play, and putting styles are okay) but coaches hope to see a fairly repeatable system that converts. 

Athleticism and fitness are two other key factors coaches will take note of. College tournaments have course set-ups that are longer than those in junior golf, plus many 36-hole days are a part of college level competition. Because of these realities, coaches favor juniors who are physically fit and are able to generate ample power and distance with the driver. TPI offers top-notch golf fitness education if you have a need.

Coaches also like to see junior golfers training with a purpose. Sure, brief warm-ups might be fairly simple with just a quick run through the bag. But think about your post-round sessions. Are they focused? Do you use specific drills or training devices (alignment aids, putting boards, etc.)? Is a pre-shot routine something you rehearse? All sophisticated players practice in a structured and mindful way, and you should too. Being a golf-nerd is totally cool, and coaches dig that. 

It’s Game Time – Coaches Are Still Watching

As coaches head onto the golf course to watch kids in action during tournament play, they can pick up on several other key attributes, many of which are revealed most fully in the heat of competition.

A positive, gritty attitude is definitely something coaches hope they find. Ups and downs are a part of tournament golf, and when tough holes or rounds occur, coaches are very interested to see which players can handle adversity and maintain their composure. In the crucible of team golf in college, one stroke can make all the difference. Coaches know that recruits with great attitudes will provide a competitive advantage. So, when you compete it’s okay to get frustrated. Just keep on grinding.

Along these lines, coaches love it when they see a junior player who is strategic about course management. Even when mis-hitting shots, the player’s “pre-selected” targets allow his ball to stay in good position. Short-sided approaches and penalty stokes are all but eliminated. Recoveries become easier… and big numbers are taken out of play. This is a dream for coaches, and it can be a reality for you by making sure you prep for tournament rounds by developing a thoughtful game plan. DECADE can help.

Lastly (and this is huge) coaches are looking for mature, good-hearted kids who are kind and generous to their peers, parents, tournament staff and others. Youngsters possessing these qualities will be very coachable. They’ll also bond nicely with their future teammates and become valuable ambassadors for the program. Bringing in recruits who conduct (and present) themselves in a professional manner translates into tons of upside for coaches. Always keep this in mind.

You Can Do This!

As you can tell, coaches look far beyond the scores and rankings as they narrow down their list of candidates to find a few special junior golfers in each recruiting class. Now that you know what their looking for, you’ll have an advantage as you proceed with your recruitment. Use my notes to assess your situation and plan your next steps… little by little, you’ll be on your way to big progress. You can do this!

To your success,

NICKY GOETZE

P.S. For more articles like this one, go to my archive on Junior Golf Scoreboard. Also, if you want to learn more about how to get started with your journey toward college golf, or how to make your next steps the right ones, you’re welcome to reach me at nickygoetze.com. 

Posted By: Chris Noble

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