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In the past several years, players, parents
and coaches have all witnessed a number of
significant changes with how the recruiting
process works throughout the world of junior
golf. The most obvious change has been the
rate at which players commit to schools. Many
of the top 25 programs have at least one, if
not all, of their commitments before the
prospects begin their senior year in high
school. While this is not true for all
recruits, it has become common enough to
explore further. How does this happen so
early?
NCAA rules allow prospects to visit campuses
at their own expense anytime. These campus
tours are referred to as unofficial visits and
can occur even when the prospect is very young
(8th, 9th, 10th grades for example). The main
benefit to a prospect making an unofficial
visit is the opportunity to meet with the
coach. NCAA rules allow coaches to meet with
prospects on campus during unofficial visits
regardless of the prospect’s age or year in
school. This face-to-face meeting is a great
way to learn more about the school and golf
program, the coach, his interest in recruiting
you and how the recruiting process will
unfold.
Once in 11th grade, recruits will receive
letters and emails from coaches who are
interested in recruiting them. This is the
first opportunity for coaches to make any
contact with a prospect. Phone calls from the
coach can only occur once per week after July
1st following the prospect’s junior year in
high school. Prospects and their parents,
however, are allowed to call coaches anytime.
This is a key step in making arrangements to
meet with a coach during an unofficial visit.
Although coaches cannot return calls prior to
July 1st, they do like prospects to call them
especially in cases where the prospect is a
potential fit in their golf program. In other
words, do your homework first before calling a
coach. Make sure the prospect has the
necessary academic and athletic qualifications
to attend the school.
A top junior player who is nationally ranked
should arrange several unofficial visits
during his junior year in high school. Every
prospect should visit the school(s) they are
interested in. This cannot be over emphasized
since it will be four years of their life.
During these visits, coaches can offer
prospects roster positions and/or scholarships
but only in a verbal manner. Official
signings occur first in mid-November during
the prospect’s senior year in high school.
The key is to be proactive and arrange the
unofficial visits, especially if letters and
emails are being sent from the school during
the prospect’s junior year.
A word of caution for anyone who is interested
in making an early verbal commitment: THINGS
CHANGE! While you may think a school is right
for you, what will happen if the coach leaves
or your game improves to a level where you
could play for a better team? Be slow and
careful to make the right decision. Once you
give the coach your word, make sure it is
final. This is what you should expect from
the coach as well.
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