As the pool of talent in junior golf continues to grow, it has become increasingly difficult to land a college golf scholarship. Junior golfers ranked in the top 20 or so nationally are naturally on every major college coach’s radar - but what about the other guys? When you consider that the NCAA only allows Divison 1 college golf programs 4.5 scholarhips to spread amongst a roster of 10-15 guys, marketing yourself to stand out as a potential recruit is imperative.
First, you HAVE to buy a copy of the PING American College Golf Guide. It covers every college golf program in the entire country, giving information on everything from team rosters to facilities and player stats to contact information. It is honestly considered the college golf bible. They have a new online version that costs 19.95 and it’s a must have for all aspiring junior golfers in grades 10-12 (I have no affiliation with PING or the PING American College Golf Guide). Here is a rundown from their website:
-coaches names, addresses, phone numbers and scholarship availability
-email and fax numbers for more than 1,200 coaches
-NCAA, NAIA and Junior/Community College rules on eligibility, testing, letters of intent recruiting and detailed information on the NCAA Eligibility Center
-Campus visits and phone calls the rules and important questions to ask
-link with Golfstat to include option for PING Guide-Golfstat Interactive Score Conversion of junior scores to college tournament scores
-letters to junior golfers and parents from college coaches at all levels of competition regarding schools, education, playing opportunities and scholarships/financial aid
-SAT/ACT average scores for recent freshman classes at most 4-year schools (a few schools dont release that information)
-learn about the SAT and ACT, the differences in the tests and why consider taking both
-calendar and step-by-step procedure of what to do from your freshman through senior year of high school
-sample resumes and letters to get yourself noticed by college coaches
-rating chart to help in comparing prospective colleges
-complete scores from more than 200 college conference, regional & national championship tournaments via link with Golfstat (see your adjusted scores placed in the tournament results on your computer screen with Interactive Score Conversion)
-complete team and individual scores for over 2000 college tournaments played during the year in our NEW —EXPANDED PING Guide/Golfstat Program (see your adjusted scores placed in the tournament results on your computer screen with Interactive Score Conversion)
-information on junior tours, rankings and important websites
-detailed information and requirements for international students
-information on Professional Golf Management programs/degrees
After realistically accessing where you may fit in with some college golf programs, it is time to begin marketing yourself. Don’t wait for coaches to contact you! Make yourself known. Let them know why they should WANT you playing for them, and why if they don’t know who you are, they SHOULD. Coaches get dozens and dozens of boring form letters sent to them daily, so it is important for you to stand out. I can tell you from experience that the majority of stuff that comes across the desk of a college golf coach is thrown away. Everyone says the same thing. Be different. Be original. Be your own agent.
HOW DO YOU STAND OUT?
I have broken it down to 5 things you must do. Eventhough I was a top-ranked junior golfer, this is exactly what I did when I was coming out of highschool and deciding where I would play college golf. I eventually signed with #3 ranked TCU (Texas Christian University), who had not even been recruiting me until I sent them my “marketing package”. If you just do the 5 things I have listed below I guarantee you will get the attention of numerous college coaches. Remember to be professional in the way you present yourself and be creative!
1. pictures
-professional high-res frame by frame shots of your swing from various angles
-pictures of you in action from competition
2. videos
-professional quality footage of your swing from various angles (both real time and frame by frame)
-videos from lessons with your instructors
-highlight reel of you in action from competition
3. resume
-accolades/accomplishments
-tournament scores and finishes
-highschool transcript
-SAT or PSAT scores (if you’ve taken them)
-leadership positions
-community service projects
4. newspaper clippings/magazine articles
5. recommendations
-from teachers, coaches, golf instructors, mentors, influential friends, and alumni
If you need any help or have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them in the comments.
Tags: coach, coaches, college, College golf, Golf, John Raser, Junior Golf, marketing, NCAA, Ping, Ping American College Golf Guide, recruit, recruits, scholarship, scholarships, TCU, Texas Christian University, University of Alabama
