January 2011
49 posts
In Hawaii----Be Patient with Me
I’m in Hawaii this week and with a computer very little so I may not be quick in responding to your questions. Please feel free to continue to give me questions and I’ll get them answered as soon as i can. Aloha!
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My son graduate in 2012. His golfweek ranking is...
I would think so. Certainly the GPA shouldn’t hold him back at all. Of course, the whole process is so subjective so there is not set ranking or scoring threshold to hit. I would recommend contacting some coaches personally and making sure your son gets a chance to play in front of them to find out where he stands.
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How good do you need to be to get a scholorship in...
I’ve been looking at the question for a while and I just don’t know how to answer it. Sorry. Really good, I guess. So hard to know as all coaches are so different in what they expect for their scholarship offers.
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Coach Thurmond, my son is getting ready to go on...
Absolutely. I think you should feel like you can ask any question you want. “How many spots” is very appropriate.
“How much scholarship?” is a very fair question to ask, but I don’t think most people understand that is a question that isn’t so black and white and easy to answer.
First of all, what one “can” offer and what one...
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2nd pt.
It's amazing to me to see a college golf...
Thanks again! I hope my players’ parents would feel the same. Very nice of you to comment.
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Coach Thurmond, I just want to tell you that the...
Wow. Thanks so much! Sorry some of your comment got cut off. I wish I could have seen it all :). The application I use for questions cuts off after a certain number of characters. Thanks again! I do love what I do. I’m so glad someone finds my thoughts helpful.
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AP Classes? High School Academic Workload...
I’ve had some questions lately about balancing golf and academics in high school. I’ll try to give some thoughts on that, understanding that each person is so different and each recruit and their parents should work these things out themselves in their best interest.
First, for almost all high school kids, an intense focus on school is a great idea. For very few would I say to study...
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At what time during a high school career can a...
A verbal scholarship offer can be made at any time, but a new rule has been put into place that prohibits any form of a written offer before August going into the senior year.
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What do you recommend a recruit wear when visiting...
Great Question!!! Generally, I would say “golf attire.” Often a coach may want take you to a private club where jeans aren’t permitted and a certain expectation of formality exists. In most cases golf pants and shirts is best.
If you are attending for a game you may want to dress “game appropriate” and might consider jeans, athletic shoes, etc.
I would avoid...
Football Signing Day Coming Soon
I’m enjoying following all the football recruiting news these days. In a week comes Signing Day for college football and unlike the anti-climatic college golf signing day, you can expect lots of drama from football.
Many elite players in football are still uncommitted, saving their moment until all the lights are on and all eyes are fixed on them. Right now, many recruits who have been...
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How do overseas (UK for example) players get...
Lots of coaches go overseas to recruit. There are a handful of large events that many US coaches attend in Europe, including the European Boys Team Championships and the British Boys. Those are great events to play well in. Your country’s national amateur championship (or another country’s) is always a good one too.
Help a coach understand more about the events on your resume. ...
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Do you feel there are any advantages for a player...
I think all the natural advantages one might imagine could exist. Getting older, stronger, more mature, etc. However, if one chooses not to play a lot of competitive golf in that year it could set them back. Additionally, sometimes it might be hard to get back into the mode of school after a year off. For the vast majority I would recommend starting immediately after high school
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Would you rather have a player that hits it long,...
Short game for sure. Guys that hit it long and can’t putt are very easy to find.
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What do you find the best players doing so well...
Good question. I think the best players expect pressure, prepare for it, and believe they are meant to perform under it. All your weaknesses come out under pressure so an average player can get by just fine under every day circumstances, but when the heat really gets turned up you find out what you have inside. The littlest things make a big difference when every shot means so much. The best...
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How do you identify recruits?
Most coaches constantly watch results of the many junior tournaments that take place around the world. They use different rankings to keep track as well. Additionally, all coaches get out to watch players at junior tournaments both local and beyond.
I think those best at recruiting have both an understanding of who is the right fit for their program, and a broad understanding, reach, and...
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What do you feel is the coach's role in college
At a minimum a coach administrates the program and arranges for all the basic needs and direction of the program. This includes recruiting, managing a budget, scheduling, monitoring eligibility, fund-raising, etc.
However, a coach can have a much greater role if they choose to. They can make a significant impact in the life of each of their players through their interest, time, and expertise. ...
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What do you think are the toughest things for a...
Usually the transition is difficult for freshmen. They are often living away from home for the first time and that brings new freedom and new responsibilities they aren’t used to. Time is much more scarce and their time management skills need to catch up with that.
At our school most of the freshmen were at the top of their class academically and certainly in golf. Now, they are...
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What should a player do if he is being contacted...
If you have just made arrangements to visit a school there is no commitment to tell anything. It would be different if you had already committed. I think you should keep your options open, whether DI or D2 until you’ve made a decision to pursue or not pursue a certain school. You don’t have to tell anyone what schools you are looking at if you don’t want to.
I don’t...
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What tournaments (or types of tournaments) do you...
I like them to play a very competitive schedule. Some are able to play in the best amateur events around the country while others either can’t get into those events or can’t afford to travel that much. I really would like them to at least play in the biggest amateur events in their region. I fully expect them to return better in September than when they left in June.
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Your Questions......
I’m trying to keep up with your questions, but be patient with me if you’ve asked one and I haven’t had a chance to respond yet. I will as soon as I can.
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What Can A Coach Send a Recruit Before the Junior...
I was recently putting together a group of questionnaires to send out to some young recruits. As I was doing it I thought I should write a post about the few things that can be sent to a recruit before their junior year. There are only a few and anything beyond these is an NCAA violation (I’m no NCAA expert, but this is what I understand:
1. Questionnaire: A coach can send the...
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I saw that you said you can't call back a recruit...
Coaches can return emails on Sept 1 of the recruit’s junior year (11th grade). Coaches can return calls on July 1 after that junior year.
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How long do college teams practice per day?
NCAA rules allow a maximum of 4 hours of required practice per day. Some students go beyond that on their own. Some don’t. The maximum hours allowed per week is 20, but that is also a pretty small number for a golfer. Most will add more time on their own at certain times of the year when weather is good and there is plenty of daylight. I’ve found the best players seem to always have...
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What should be included in an email to a coach?
This is a personal thing. Remember, every coach is getting many emails and letters. How can you make yours unique? I always recommend that you make sure to show your particular interest in that specific school. Show that you’ve done your homework and chosen to contact that school for specific and meaningful reasons.
Some of your basic personal information and golf results is very...
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Is ther recruiting process the same for JUCO as...
Not really. Coaches don’t keep as close an eye on JUCO as they do junior golf. Usually JUCO players are added later than juniors. Coaches do watch JUCO results and keep in touch with some of the coaches, but usually don’t commit to a JUCO player until several or a few months before they would enroll at college. Most of the time it is earlier with juniors.
There are some different...
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What do you find to be the most common thing...
Wedge play, emotional control, preparation/course management, performing under pressure.
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I play well in a local tour and high school, but I...
Yes!!! I tried to address your question in a separate post today. You don’t need $ to play DI golf. You just need to be great player. Make sure coaches know what you are accomplishing and play the biggest events you possible can to show you can play with anyone.
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High level Jr Golf is expensive..how can a junior...
I tried to answer this in a post I just wrote. Thanks for the question. It’s a great one I’ll try to hit on as often as needed.
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How important is it to play big tournaments like...
In deciding which tournaments to attend there are two most important things as it relates to positioning yourself for college golf: 1) developing your golf game, and 2) gaining exposure.
If your only goal was game development you might play a large variety of tournaments with varied conditions, grasses, geographic regions, and competition. This would help you learn to compete in many...
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What percentage of a college golf teams success...
I don’t think this is an answerable question (at least accurately). Recruiting and player development go together. If you were a great recruit which school would you want to go to? The one that recruits the best or the one that develops great players? Could you even separate the two? If you look closely I bet you would find that the great recruiters also have players that improve and...
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Will a coach stop recruiting a player if they...
That would depend on the injury and the timing, I suppose. If a recruit was committed or signed I imagine a coach would stick with them. Depending on the injury, and assuming no long-term impact on the golf game, I think a coach would continue to recruit the injured player. Of course, all coaches are different.
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I have been advised to sign up in the NCAA...
No need to sign up for the Clearinghouse until your junior year. However, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements of the NCAA Clearinghouse. Basically, the Clearinghouse is where each student-athlete’s academics are analyzed to determine eligibility.
There are certain classes you need to make sure to take in high school to be NCAA eligible. If you start working on it now,...
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Describe your dream recruit. Include golf stats,...
I like a guy who wins—in both small and large events. I want someone who is very passionate about our school and community and wants to be here above all else. I want someone who cares about school and wants to learn. I like great energy and passion and someone who brings it every day. I like guys that are self-motivated, and still care about their teammates. I don’t have a set...
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How much do coaches use or listen to recruiting...
Coaches make their own decisions, but they do rely on the thoughts and ideas of others at times. We are contacted by many different recruiting services and coaches/mentors.
I am not allowed to comment on any specific people or recruiting services. However, I would say, if you look for a person or service to help you in the process, find someone who will provide custom guidance to your needs....
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Do coaches look more at score, or swing and...
I think they look more at score. There are so many swings that work. Give me a guy that has an ugly swing and can score and I’m all over it because he knows how to do the only thing that matters in the end—find a way to get the ball in the hole.
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Do coaches ever bring in players to help their...
I can’t imagine a coach doing that, but maybe I should consider it! :) Coaches certainly try to bring in the best students possible, but I dont’ they would bring a player in just to boost the APR.
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Not a recruiting question but...What is the best...
This is a question that could have a very long answer, but I’ll try to be brief. I think the most important thing in developing great young players is to have great young players around them in a learning environment. If you can foster an environment that is competitive, collaborative, and fun your students will want to practice, compete, learn and improve. They will want to be there often...
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What types of free things do D1 Golfers get?
Equipment, instruction, practice facility usage, travel, tutors, uniforms, other support (sports psychologists, nutritionists, personal trainers, media training, academic counseling), etc. Each school has different resources available and NCAA Rules limit what kind of non-golf things can be given. It’s good to be a college golfer though if you like free stuff. They are more than a little...
A Note Regarding Questions from Young Recruits
I’ve had a lot of questions lately from recruits that tell me their age and they are younger than I am allowed to contact for recruiting purposes. While this blog is not about trying to recruit people to my program, I still need to avoid any trouble with NCAA Rules. So I won’t directly respond to questions of young recruits if I know they are young from the question.
I will, however,...
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What would you say is the average USGA handicap...
I’d say from +1 to +6. A scratch handicap would be the very minimum I would think.
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The Little Blue Chip Recruiting Handbook →
This article by Gene Wojciechowski is outstanding as it relates to college recruiting. There is excellent advice and reminders for both recruits and recruiters. You will see that football recruiting can be quite different from golf, but many of the things in this article should be taken into consideration for golf too.
These comments are in the words of football recruits that have been or are...
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I plan to serve a mission for my church after my...
This completely depends on the coach. You will need to talk to any coach about this and come to some sort of understanding. You will find a wide difference among coaches on how to handle this.
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How do you feel about walking on to the team? Does...
We have a walk-on tryout every year. Many programs do, although most have different types of formats. We have a “Walk-on on the team about half of our years. Walking on is a great option if the coach is open to it.
For those not familiar with the term “Walk on” there are essentially two types of “Walk ons.”
First, a “Walk-on” is technically a...
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How old do you think I should be before I start...
I dont’ think freshman year of high school is too early to make quick call or introduction to a couple coaches at schools you are most interested in. Even taking a few unofficial visits early in high school might be a good idea.
Sometimes you might learn something about the process in the early going that could really help. I’ve found that gaining a clear picture of what is...
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How much money actually goes into a college golfer...
Every school would have a totally different number on this. Some of the amounts are direct (the budget and total money spent) and others more indirect (free golf at courses, free equipment, all the many support staff of an athletics dept, etc.) I think the average would be $50-100K per year/per player as a total dollar value at the top programs. Smaller programs may have a smaller number, but...
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Would you recommend spending the money to go a...
There are so many different golf camps out there. So many options. Some are really just about having a really fun time and getting a feel for college and some are designed to recruit and develop skill. They usually cost a lot so I would make sure you do your research on that one. Most of my peers have camps and I don’t think I should recommend specific camps in a forum like this. ...
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When Coaches call you or ask you to call you, does...
I think that is very fair to say. Coaches have a lot of things to do so if they take the time to call you they must at least have a desire to get to know you better, and probably have significant interest. If they ask you to call them I would definitely take them up on that request.
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Are college coaches looking for golfers who win...
All coaches would answer this a bit differently. I think coaches tend to (maybe without even realizing it) focus on the best tournaments of a recruit. I think there is a tendency to believe that a recruit is as good as their best performance. On the other hand, I think we sometimes become over-alarmed with a poor performance. My sense is that we really like consistency on our teams, but for...
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Do you believe that there is a typical area where...
I’ve actually done a lot of research on this and I do have my opinions and data, but i don’t want to share it publicly. I’ll answer almost anything here, but I have to have a couple of secrets :)
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