Everybody knows that playing golf tournaments is a useful and proven way to improve your game, increase your ranking, and ultimately get noticed by college coaches. What you might not realize is that tournaments come with a number of limitations…mainly restricted access to coaches and minimal guarantees. Camps are designed to not only fill these gaps, but provide added value in a variety of other ways. Camps should not be seen as a replacement for tournaments, but rather as a supplement for players looking to increase their exposure and build better relationships with college coaches.

It’s easy to assume college coaches chase the highest-ranked players they can get on campus and that scoring averages trump all other metrics. The coaches we spoke to, though, stressed the value of cultural fits, preserving team chemistry, and connecting with players who show growth potential.

“Anyone we’re recruiting, we have to weigh the impact of what it means to bring this guy into our program and how it affects the group dynamic,” says University of Washington Head Men’s Golf Coach Alan Murray. “We work hard to create positive energy and a can-do spirit amongst our group for my team to be able to beat the caliber of teams we face. We can’t afford to miss on the right fits in recruiting. Our recruits have to be guys who make our team better. Maybe not in Year One, but when he gets into the program and around the guys, it should be clear he’s the best fit for our ongoing success and team chemistry.”

Coach after coach at the CGX Top100 Camp advised against putting too much stock in rankings and scoring averages, while understanding that coaches value players who are good to be around, fit their personality, and will contribute to the overall team dynamic.