Different players have different needs. Choose the camp that fits your needs.

If you’re looking to improve your golf game, a golf camp is a great idea. And, if you’re looking to play golf at the collegiate level, then a golf camp can up your recruiting game too. Here’s how:

Focus On Overall Improvement

For any golfer, the goal of attending a camp should be to sharpen your game. While most camps are divided by age, gender, and skill level, different camps or clinics can offer a different focus and specific elements of the game. Depending on the camp, some camps may focus on elite golfers or simply on improving one’s short game, putting, or driving distance.

As a general rule, shorter camps are more likely to focus on drills while longer, overnight camps will usually provide broader instruction and more time spent on the course. Another benefit of a golf camp is that not only will you receive high-level instruction, but you’ll most likely go home with drills you can perform on your own so that you can continue improving long after the camp.

Finally, the coaches and pros who work golf camps can provide the training you need to improve your game for the long term. And long term improvement, and the potential to keep improving, are what can help you get recruited to play college golf later on.

Customize Your Camp Experience

While the terms “golf camp” and “golf clinic” are often used interchangeably, they can mean two very different camp experiences. In general, golf clinics focus on drills to improve one element or area of a player’s golf game. They’re usually shorter both in the number of days and length of each session, and the bulk of each session is often spent on the range working on that one area of focus.

Conversely, golf camps are generally longer, sometimes a full day and oftentimes an entire week, and tend to focus on overall game improvement rather than just one particular area. In addition, at a golf camp, you can expect to spend considerable time on the range doing a large variety of drills as well as time on the course putting what you’ve learned into practice.

Remember that no two camps are created equal. So, to make the most of your camp or clinic experience, look at the schedule for every camp or clinic you consider and make sure you’ll get the most from that camp and that it will benefit you in the short term, and in the long haul.

Finally, pay close attention to who’s providing the instruction at a camp or a clinic. If a particular coach or school that you’re interested in is hosting the camp, then you may want to give more consideration to attending that one, even though you may only need to improve in one area. This is especially important if you’re headed into your sophomore, junior, or senior season because…

Golf Camps Can Provide Exposure To College Coaches

In addition to improving your game, the most important benefit a golf camp can provide is the opportunity to raise your recruiting profile with college coaches. You may already have a recruiting profile and highlight video online, but actually putting yourself in front of a college coach at camp, be it on the course or on the range, is the best way to get recruited to play golf in college. That’s because when a coach sees you at a camp, they can see not only your game on the course, but they can also see your potential to keep improving your work ethic, and your ability to focus.

As noted above, the best way to get noticed by college coaches is to attend camps or clinics put on those coaches or their school’s program. If you have a target list of schools you might be interested in attending and where your skills will fit best, look to see if their golf program offers a camp. Then reach out to the coach ahead of time to tell them you’re interested in the program and will be attending their camp. Then, while at camp, introduce yourself and be prepared to ask questions and answer a few too. After the camp, follow up with a thank you note to the coach or coaches telling them how much you enjoyed the camp and reiterating your interest in their program. If your family budget allows, repeat at other schools you’re interested in.

One other way to tee up your recruiting is to attend a showcase camp. As the name implies, showcases are more about demonstrating your game to several college coaches and less about receiving instruction. If you’re approaching your junior or senior season and are looking for more interest from college golf coaches, look for showcase camps in your area and make sure they’re open to everyone.

PGA and LPGA Tour golfers spend hours on the range working with their coach or coaches because they still want to improve. And if you want to improve your game, find the camp that’s right for you, get the most out of the experience, look for camps that will raise your profile with college coaches, and get yourself recruited to play golf in college.

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