As coaches leave the National Championship, they immediately turn their heads to recruiting. Recruiting is the lifeline of any program, and finding the next additions to the roster is a constant and fluid pursuit. However, in recent years, May has become an especially busy month for recruiting due to the introduction of the transfer portal. The biggest transfer portal window is in May, coinciding with golf’s postseason.

Coaches are therefore often juggling several potential recruits while wrapping up their season. Once home, numerous phone calls need to be made, official and unofficial visits must be organized, and summer recruiting trips have to be scheduled. Schools typically recruit several players for just one or two spots on the team. 

At the same time, recruits are evaluating multiple schools to find their ideal fit. This creates a constantly evolving situation that keeps coaches busy and on their toes throughout the summer.

In recent years, Men's Division I teams have been allotted 45 evaluation days per year, while Women's teams have 80 days. This means coaches must be more selective in choosing which tournaments to attend for evaluations, unlike the earlier days without limitations on the number of days. 

From my experience, these limitations haven't led to less travel but have made travel more strategic. For example, coaches often travel the day before their evaluation day to not “waste” any valuable evaluation time. They then spend the entire following day recruiting, thus using only one recruiting day.

Camps are also a big part of the summer. Just a week or two after the National Championship, in early June, is when most coaches have their summer golf camps. Depending on the size of the school, these camps can range from 20 kids for a single day to 200 kids for a week-long overnight camp. 

The preparation required varies based on the institution and the camp size. At larger schools, camp preparations start around Christmas due to the numerous details that need to be managed, such as building a camp staff, completing compliance training, and securing housing, insurance, transportation, shirts, gifts, food, and more. Despite thorough preparation, the last week or two before the camp inevitably involves dealing with numerous unexpected issues.

Some coaches also work at other schools’ camps to supplement their income. Most recruiting activities are prohibited at the camps, and the vast majority of camp attendees are there just for fun. The traditional camp is therefore not directly linked to the success of the golf program; it’s mostly a way for coaches to supplement their income. It’s still an integral part of a college coach’s summer and has been for decades.

In addition, another form of camps has emerged over the past few years: elite camps. Most major schools now host some version of these camps. The same recruiting rules apply, but unlike traditional overnight summer camps, the primary goal of elite camps is to create a positive recruiting impact for the program. Since coaches can't communicate with prospective student-athletes until June 15th after their sophomore year of high school, elite camps provide a legal way to interact with younger players face-to-face. Coaches tailor the instruction to suit higher-caliber players, choose dates that don't conflict with junior tournaments, and make the camps affordable for players to attend.

Inviting players to a camp is a legal form of communication, even before the June 15th contact date. Coaches therefore invite players they have an interest in recruiting in the future. This is an indirect way of showing interest in the athlete before the first contact date. Hopefully, most of the targeted players show up to the camp. Although no direct recruiting activities can take place at the camp, the recruiting value for both coaches and players is significant. They can build a connection, get a feel for each other, practice on the program’s golf facilities, and potentially meet some of the team players if they are working at the camp.

Recruiting is the primary focus every summer, but as you can see, camps also play a significant role for coaches.

Although coaches may invite specific players and label the camp as “elite,” they actually have no control over who signs up. The NCAA requires that the camp flyer be published publicly and must include the phrase, “Open to any and all entrants (limited only by number, age, grade level, and/or gender).” For example, I have personally coached an elite camp where a young man showed up with only three clubs and asked where he could purchase golf balls.

Recruiting is the primary focus every summer, but as you can see, camps also play a significant role for coaches. They not only help supplement their income but also support their future recruiting efforts.

In addition to traveling for recruiting and running camps, coaches also keep up with the summer schedules of their current roster. Most of this follow-up is done remotely through text messaging and phone calls. However, the most successful programs often have players competing in prestigious events such as the Palmer Cup, Walker Cup, the U.S. Amateur, or even Major Championships. When their players qualify for these tournaments, it's common for coaches to attend. 

The U.S. Amateur, in particular, draws a significant number of coaches who attend to support their current players. Each year, many coaches caddy for their players during this championship, as the NCAA permits this for a handful of events, including the U.S. Amateur.

What else is on a coach’s summer schedule? Well, in addition to the usual donor relations, fundraising, gear handling, team travel planning, and other administrative tasks, I’m happy to report that most coaches will prioritize a few days of vacation as well. Seasoned veterans often combine business with pleasure by bringing their significant other on a European recruiting trip or planning a family vacation to a tropical location near a national junior event. 

College coaching is the best job in the world, something most coaches recognize. However, it can be challenging to disconnect due to the ever-changing nature of competitive golf and recruiting.

Hopefully, all collegiate coaches and players will get some well-earned vacation days this summer, so that we can see the best version of everyone in the season to come!