Matthew Steinbach | Nov. 12, 2024

In my previous role as Head Coach at Simon Fraser University, where I had the honor of leading Canada’s only NCAA golf team, I dedicated nearly a third of my time to the recruiting process. This involved sifting through thousands of emails from interested junior golfers each year, identifying potential prospects, and setting up introductory calls. Throughout the tournament season, I maintained ongoing communication, conducted on-course evaluations at tournaments, and facilitated both unofficial and official visits. Ultimately, a select few athletes would receive commitment offers and, eventually, sign a National Letter of Intent.

Navigating this process can be long and challenging for athletes and their families, especially in the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of college athletics. It’s essential to understand that everyone experiences the recruiting process differently. Each coach and program has its own timeline, and communication styles can vary significantly from athlete to athlete. Factors like timing and luck often play a considerable role in the outcome. Therefore, it’s crucial to focus on your own recruiting journey and avoid comparing yourself to others.

With NCAA National signing day approaching,  I wanted to draw on my nine years of recruiting experience and share a few insights and secrets from a coach’s perspective to help you better understand this journey. The “Five P’s” provide a brief insight into behaviours that are entirely under your control and will ensure you give yourself the best opportunity to maximize your recruiting potential and achieve your goals.

 

Make it PERSONAL 

As a coach, I want to hear directly from you, to get a real sense of who you are as an individual. Let your personality come through in your communication. 

This means that you should take the lead and send the email yourself. Address it to me personally, and double-check that my name and our school’s name are spelled correctly. Avoid using a generic letter where only the coach’s name and school change; instead, take time to research our program and university to mention specifics that show you’re truly interested.

If you’re working with a recruiting service, don’t have them send the introductory email. Each year, I receive thousands of emails, many of which look identical when they’re sent by agencies—and those were often the ones I deleted without reading.

Making it PERSONAL also means that you’re the one driving this process—not your parents, not your golf coach. Choosing to attend university and pursue college golf should be your decision. Your support network can guide you, but ultimately, this has to come from you. An email from a parent is often an immediate sign that you may not be ready for this commitment.

 

Be PERSISTENT 

Persistence is key. Sending one email and waiting for a reply isn’t enough. Send a second email, call the coach, or send a DM on social media. Keep reaching out until you get a response. I personally don’t see this as being pushy; I see it as genuine interest in our program.

As mentioned, college golf coaches receive thousands of emails from interested players, and we don’t always have time to follow up. So even if you’ve written a fantastic, well-researched, and personal email, it can still get buried in a crowded inbox. Following up is essential.

With that said, it’s important to find a balance between being persistent and respectful. You want to  show interest without pestering or being annoying.  Every coach is different, so you’ll need to gauge how much follow-up feels right.

Here’s the tricky part: communication with coaches can sometimes feel one-sided. They may not reply right away, but they still expect quick responses from you. The most important insight I can share in this area is that if a coach requests more information from you, respond as promptly and carefully as possible. Delays or missed details are an easy way to fall off their radar. The important part is you’re taking initiative and showing interest – so stay PERSISTENT and keep positive!

 

Have a PROCESS 

A clear, strategic PROCESS is crucial for navigating the recruiting journey with confidence. Approaching coaches and selecting schools requires more than just sending out emails and waiting—it’s about aligning your goals, values, and abilities with a program that’s a true fit for you.

Developing a process means taking time to define exactly what you’re looking for in a post-secondary institution.  Your process should include a prioritized list of non-negotiables versus areas where you might be flexible. Consider what the school offers not just in terms of athletics but as a whole package: location, school size, scholarship opportunities, and financial aid options. On the golf side, dig deep into program specifics: team practice facilities, training schedules, tournament lineups, coaching style, and even the team’s culture and values. How many players will be competing for spots, and how many open positions will there be in your graduating year? Understanding these factors will help you identify programs where you have the best chance to get recruited.

Once your criteria is defined, then (and only then) would I recommend looking at specific schools.  The process here should be assigning “Schools” to your criteria and not vice-versa.  Based on this, I would then categorizing schools into three groups:

Dream Schools – if everything goes well and you reach your potential as a junior golfer, these are the schools you’d dream of attending. However, keep in mind that these may be a long shot, and time spent on them should be limited, especially if you don’t receive return engagement.   As an example, more Canadian junior golfers have gone on to win on the PGA Tour than have played for Stanford Men’s Golf.

Sweet Spot Schools – These schools match well with your current trajectory.  With continued hard work (in academics, athletics, and as a person) the coach likely sees your potential as a valuable member of the team.. While team dynamics and culture are critical, the “sweet spot” schools provide an environment for growth while still requiring you to push yourself.  This is where you should spend the bulk of your time and put in  extra effort with coaches.

Backup Schools – These schools meet your minimum standards, but they might not check every box. Here, it’s essential to be clear on your priorities and where you’re willing to compromise. For example, if golf is your top priority but the team doesn’t have a dedicated practice facility, will that be enough? Or, if structured team practices are important but the training is self-directed, will that suit your needs? If academics matter, can you balance your schedule if classes conflict with training? Or, if campus safety is a concern, are you comfortable in a large urban setting?  Even though these schools are positioned as back ups, it’s important to maintain relationships with these coaches and not reject too early in the process.

A well-structured PROCESS not only helps you avoid committing to a school that doesn’t meet your needs, but it can also open more recruiting options that better suit your level of play and aspirations. By thoughtfully evaluating and prioritizing your criteria—whether it’s athletic development, team dynamics, academic opportunities, or campus culture—you increase your chances of finding programs that truly support your growth. In the end, this process can make all the difference, guiding you toward a program that’s aligned with your goals, values, and strengths.

 

Be PREPARED

When you get on a call with a coach, preparation is key. Coaches expect you to come into the conversation informed and ready to engage. For example, knowing the team’s tournament schedule ahead of time is essential. Don’t waste your opportunity by asking questions like, “What is your tournament schedule?”—that information is typically available online. Instead, demonstrate your knowledge of the team by asking insightful questions, like, “What do you think made the difference between the team’s 2nd-place finish in Colorado and the 8th-place finish in San Diego?” This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely invested in understanding the program.  This type of question may also unlock insights into the coach’s way of thinking, giving you deeper insights to their coaching style.

Additionally, being PREPARED means having a clear sense of your own goals, motivations, and values. A coach might ask you about your aspirations, challenges, or what drives you as an athlete, and it’s important to answer authentically. While you may only have 30 minutes to speak with a coach, the goal isn’t to act or put on a rehearsed performance; it’s to represent who you truly are. Increasingly, juniors are coached on what to say in recruiting calls, but coaches can spot inauthenticity quickly. So aim to be prepared but not overly rehearsed—genuine answers go a long way in building trust and rapport.

Thoughtful preparation helps you make the most of each conversation, showcasing your commitment to finding the right fit and making a positive impression that sets you apart.

 

Stay POSITIVE

The recruiting process can be challenging and, at times, overwhelming. It’s crucial to maintain a POSITIVE perspective. Each athlete experiences this journey differently—some of your peers may have committed early on, others are proudly sharing their signing day photos on social media, while many may feel like they’re not even close to signing and haven’t received interest from schools. Regardless of where you are in the process, rest assured that all of these scenarios are perfectly valid and part of the journey.  Just make sure it’s your journey!

Being positive is especially important when reaching out to coaches, waiting for replies, attending campus visits, and ultimately receiving offers. It’s easy to feel discouraged if things don’t go as planned, but keeping a positive mindset will not only benefit you emotionally but will also reflect well on you as a prospective athlete.

The same principle applies when coaches are watching you play. Coaches are interested in more than just your scores – that’s why they’re watching you in person and not simply checking online results –  and the way you conduct yourself on the course is what they’re observing. Your attitude, body language, and sportsmanship speak volumes about who you are as a person. If a coach is following you during a round, this is your opportunity to showcase your character. Remember, one bad round isn’t likely to derail your chances of being recruited, but a single negative outburst can significantly impact how coaches perceive you.

 

With National Signing Day approaching and recruiting season in full swing, I hope my experience as an NCAA coach provides valuable insights on behaviors that are fully within your control—and that can make the biggest impact on your recruitment. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it offers a strong foundation for communicating effectively with coaches as you pursue your post-secondary goals. Remember, the recruiting journey is unique to each individual. The most important thing you can do is stay committed to your development, putting in consistent effort and aiming to improve a little every day. From my experience, I know that student-athletes who make it PERSONAL, stay PERSISTENT, follow a PROCESS, show up PREPARED, and remain POSITIVE are the most successful—not only in signing with a school but in finding a program that truly aligns with them.