By Rex Grayner, SVP of Business Development at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour
Your junior golfer’s path to college starts with the steps you take now.
The college golf recruiting journey can feel overwhelming, especially for parents just starting out. The process is about more than talent alone—it’s about preparation, persistence, and making connections. Starting early gives your child a real advantage, setting the foundation for success.
You might be wondering where to start.
Here are five jumping-off points to help your aspiring college golfer begin this exciting journey:
1. Create a Tournament Resume
Think of the tournament resume as your child’s golf report card. It showcases their experience, growth, and dedication to the game. And be honest. Avoid omitting poor scores. They’re an important part of telling your child’s story! College coaches want to see how far they’ve come, so every tournament matters.
Here’s what to include in the tournament resume:
- Tournament Details: Course name, date, field size, and finish position.
Pro Tip: Beneath each event, give college coaches a glimpse of who you are, your passion for the game, etc. Ex: “I didn’t score my best at this tournament, but I loved this course and had a blast competing with some great players. This was an awesome memory for me and my family!” - Scores: Highlight their performance and improvement over time.
- Upcoming Events: Show their commitment to competing and improving.
Keep the resume updated and ready to share with college coaches. This simple step helps coaches track your child’s consistency and potential over time.
2. Build Relationships with College Coaches
One of the biggest misconceptions about recruiting is that players must wait until junior year to connect with coaches. Starting earlier allows your child to build genuine relationships over time.
Encourage them to:
- Send Emails: A brief, polite email introducing themselves and sharing their tournament resume.
- Personalize Messages: Mention why they’re interested in the program, showing they’ve done their research.
- Stay Consistent: Regular, thoughtful communication—especially with programs they’re most interested in—goes a long way.
Recruiting is as much about building relationships as it is about scores, so starting early helps your child stay on coaches’ radar.
3. Play in a Mix of Events
Exposure matters in recruiting. College coaches look for players who can hold their own in competitive fields and in various conditions.
Encourage your child to compete in:
- Local Tournaments: These provide experience and confidence.
- Regional Tournaments: These demonstrate your aspiring golfer’s ability and desire to compete against players from other parts of the country and on courses with varying degrees of difficulty.
- Higher-Level Junior Events: Known for attracting college scouts, these tournaments offer valuable exposure and a chance to measure up against elite players.
Each season, set goals for the types of events they’ll play. A balanced schedule challenges their skills and demonstrates their ability to compete under pressure.
4. Keep Track of Progress
College coaches aren’t just looking for a good player—they want someone who’s improving and evolving.
Help your child track:
- Stats and Goals: Key metrics such as scoring averages and short game improvements.
- Mental Growth: Document lessons learned and strategies for staying focused under pressure.
- Physical Development: Fitness, strength, and endurance are traits coaches value.
Tracking progress paints a picture of their dedication, resilience, and commitment to becoming better every day.
5. Stay Patient and Persistent
The college recruiting journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Results don’t happen overnight, and setbacks are part of the process.
Remind your child to:
- Stay Positive: Every tournament, good or bad, is a learning opportunity.
- Celebrate Milestones: Small wins build confidence and momentum.
- Keep Pushing: Consistency and effort over time will pay off.
By staying focused on the bigger picture, your child can build a strong foundation and position themselves as a standout recruit.
Final Thoughts
Starting early is one of the best decisions you can make for your child’s college golf journey. These steps won’t solve every challenge, but they’ll give you a roadmap to begin.
Remember, every player’s path to college golf is unique—embrace the process, learn along the way, and enjoy the ride.
Have questions about the college golf journey? The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour offers a wealth of resources and college recruiting education partnerships. Send your college recruiting questions to rex@hjgt.org
