Things to Consider When You See a College Golf Commitment Post
One of the hardest parts of the college golf recruiting journey is scrolling through social media and seeing another player announce their commitment. It’s easy to let comparison creep in or feel like you’re falling behind. However, the reality is that each player’s journey is unique, and what you see online rarely reflects the full picture. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when you come across those posts:
1. Timing matters, and not all commitments are created equal.
The timing of a commitment—for example, commitments that happen in the fall of junior year versus the fall of senior year— can be significantly influenced by many factors, making the two situations not directly comparable . What a college coach desires and hopes to get in recruits early in the process will change as the process moves along when he/she doesn’t get that level of recruits. Because of this, the timing alone makes the situations not directly comparable.
2. Relationships and connections play a major role.
That recruit may have built an earlier connection with the coach, attended that school’s camps, had a family alumni tie, or benefited from another type of connection to the university. These factors can influence the relationship and timeline in ways that have nothing to do with pure ability or scores.
3. Scholarship details are rarely public knowledge.
Unless you know the full and truthful extent of the scholarship situation, you cannot make assumptions about what their commitment means. Scholarship amounts vary widely, and sometimes a “commitment” may not involve athletic scholarship money at all. Without that context, what you imagine may not reflect reality.
4. Interest level can tip the scales.
Sometimes, it isn’t just about performance—it’s about how strongly a recruit shows genuine interest in a program. That recruit may have made a bigger impression with their enthusiasm, persistence, and desire to attend that university and play for that golf program than you did. Coaches notice those things, and they can be deciding factors in an offer.
5. Social media is only part of the story.
What you see on Instagram or Twitter is just a small snippet of the much larger recruiting landscape. There are dozens of commitments you’ll never see posted, and the timeline for commitments stretches across months and even years. Your own process is still unfolding, and one post does not define your path or your opportunities.
Final Thought
College golf recruiting is not a one-size-fits-all process. Every player has a different journey, and comparison only distracts you from the work you need to do to find the best fit for yourself. Stay focused on building relationships, improving your game, and keeping perspective. The right opportunity will come at the right time for you.