Contacting a college golf coach for the first time can feel like standing over a downhill, 4-foot putt to win the match - it’s intimidating, and you only get one shot at a first impression. Getting this part right is one of the biggest first steps in your recruiting journey. This guide will walk you through exactly how to tell a college coach you are interested, from doing your initial research to crafting the perfect email that gets you noticed.
Before you even think about drafting an email, you have to do your homework. Sending a generic, mass email to 50 coaches is the fastest way to get your message deleted. Coaches can spot a form letter from a mile away, and it shows you aren’t genuinely interested in their specific program. Genuine interest begins with research.
Think of it this way: you are interviewing the school just as much as they are recruiting you. Your goal is to find a place where you will thrive academically, athletically, and personally for four years. A little bit of research now saves a lot of headaches later and shows coaches you're a serious, thoughtful candidate.
Forget about the golf team for a moment. Would you want to attend this college if you weren’t playing golf? Look at the big picture:
Now, let’s get into the golf specifics. You need to see if you are a realistic athletic fit for the team. This is where you put your detective hat on. Head to the team’s official athletics website and check out sites like Golfstat for tournament results.
Finally, learn a little about the person you’re about to email. Read their bio on the team website. How long have they been coaching there? What’s their coaching philosophy? Sometimes you’ll even find interviews or articles that give you a sense of their personality. Making sure you spell their name correctly is the absolute minimum - personalizing your message with something you learned shows you’ve put in the effort.
Once you’ve identified 5-10 schools that feel like a great fit, it’s time to write your email. This email is your digital handshake. The goal is simple: be professional, be concise, and provide all the necessary information in an easy-to-read format. Less is more. Coaches are incredibly busy and receive hundreds of these emails.
Your subject line should tell the coach exactly who you are at a glance. Don’t get cute or clever. Just be clear.
Good Subject Line Examples:
This format gives them your name, graduation year, and a key stat before they even open the email.
Keep your paragraphs short and use bullet points for key stats. Here’s a breakdown of what to include.
Get straight to the point. State your name, graduation year, high school, and hometown. In the next sentence, state your specific interest in their program using a personalized detail from your research.
Example:"Coach Johnson, my name is Alex Miller and I am a 2025 graduate from Northwood High School in Atlanta, GA. I have been following the University of Georgia’s golf program and was very impressed with the team's victory at the SEC Championship last season. Given my interest in your business school and the team’s competitive record, I believe UGA would be a fantastic academic and athletic fit for me."
This is where you provide your stats. Using bullet points makes it skimmable for a busy coach. Only include verifiable stats, especially your competitive scoring average.
Athletic Information:
Academic Information:
Let them know you are providing more information and what you hope the next step is. This shows initiative and makes it easy for them to take the next step if they are interested.
Example:"I have attached my full golf resume and academic transcript for your review. I plan to be in your area for the [Tournament Name] on [Date] and would love the opportunity to briefly speak with you if your schedule and NCAA regulations permit. Thank you for your time and for considering me for your program."
End with a professional closing and include all your contact information.
Example:
Sincerely,
Alex Miller
alex.miller.recruit@email.com
(555) 123-4567
Twitter/IG Handle: [Optional, only if it's professional]
Your email must include a link to a simple swing video. Coaches a hundred miles away can’t see you play in person, so a video is their first look at your raw talent. Forget fancy editing, background music, or slow-motion effects. A coach wants to see your natural swing and hear the sound of the ball compress.
Your Swing Video Should (under 3 minutes):
Once you send your email, the waiting game begins. Coaches are busy people and NCAA rules might restrict when and how they can respond. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back immediately.
The key to following up is to always provide a meaningful update. Don't just email them asking if they got your last email. Wait until you have something new and valuable to share.
Good Reasons to Send a Follow-Up Email:
A good rule of thumb is to send an update every 4-6 weeks if you have one. This keeps your name on their radar politely and professionally.
Contacting a college coach is all about demonstrating professional and genuine interest. By doing your homework, crafting a clear and personalized email, providing easy access to your profiles, and following up with purpose, you put yourself in the best possible position to get noticed and start a conversation.
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