Many players are overwhelmed with the amount of time they are spending writing introduction letters, updating their resumes, sending email after email, or even building a personal website in hopes of coaches taking notice. If and when contact is made, then the game of ‘hide-and-seek begins. Most likely communicating back and forth, offering a ‘potential’ unofficial visit, and inevitably hoping to be presented with a college scholarship opportunity.
Sounds deliberate and overwhelming, doesn’t it? Well, it is.
This article was written to help you navigate the beginning stages of the recruiting process with five easy steps to assist with your organization, focus, and research. If you would like to learn more about how we work with our clients at ForeCollegeGolf, please contact us.
Five (5) steps you can apply to your pursuit of college golf:
Decide what you want and make it specific– Ask yourself honestly, What is my target? Answers could range from anything from having 3 meaningful conversations with coaches per/wk, to becoming a better wedge player between 50-80 yds. Take a realistic look at where you are now and where you want to be.
Deconstruct the process – Separate your goal into (3) action items. Action items could be anything from researching schools, dissecting team rosters, or read coach bio’s to taking an unofficial visit, calling coaches directly, or meeting team members at “X” University.
Research– deconstruct each action item to get the basics, almost like skimming a book in school. Enough to understand the bulk but not so in-depth you know each and every detail.
Eliminate the “barriers of practice” – make it easy on yourself! Set up an office that’s easily accessible, print out necessary documents to get organized, allow time early in the morning to research, send emails, and call coaches. The key here is NOT to hide the elements that will help you get to where you are trying to go. Keep them visible or even posted to your forehead ☺
Pre-commit to your action items – 20 hours/month and you’ll be on your way to Mastery! Make a goal of doing the above steps for 20hrs/month. Broken down even further, 40min/day, or my personal favorite (2) 20min/day practice sessions.
Apply these five steps to your college recruitment focus and become more prepared, organized, and time-efficient for the maze of college recruiting.
Best of luck on the recruiting trail!
Mike Smith is the Founder & CEO of ForeCollegeGolf and specializes in assisting junior golfers & their families through the college recruiting process. Email him @ mike.smith@forecollegegolf.com
