Going to College is devoted to helping junior golfers and their parents better understand the college recruitment process and to providing insight on what qualities are necessary for young players to compete successfully at the collegiate level. Each month, a popular topic will be discussed to offer advice and counsel to interested juniors and their parents.

For 13 years as the Head Golf Coach at the University of North Florida, I witnessed the commitment necessary for junior golfers to transition successfully into collegiate competition and to prepare for a potential career as a professional golfer. Through this column, I will attempt to share these experiences with the next generation of players and to make their recruiting experience more enjoyable and productive. I welcome feedback and encourage readers to submit relevant questions that can be included in the following month’s column.

As the former Head Golf Coach at the University of North Florida from 1990-2003, John Brooks' professional experience qualifies him to help families navigate junior golf and manage college placement. Furthermore, he perfectly understands the commitment necessary for junior golfers to transition successfully into collegiate competition.

Coach Brooks, through his Red Numbers Golf program, now shares his extensive golf knowledge and expertise with a younger generation as they strive to earn college golf scholarships. Since 2003, he has worked with over 125 families throughout the college placement process, relying on his key relationships with college coaches to help each client identify and target their best college fits

For more information on this program please visit www.rednumbersgolf.com

Your swing and short game video should include:

• A brief introduction by the player stating name, hometown, and graduation class

• Two swings with a short iron/wedge from a “down the line” angle

• Two swings with a short iron/wedge from a “face on” angle

• Two swings with a mid/long iron from a “down the line” angle

• Two swings with a mid/long iron from a “face on” angle

• Two swings with a driver from a “down the line” angle

• Two swings with a driver from a “face on” angle

o Make sure the camera is positioned correctly to capture these angles

o Swings should be in normal speed (One or two total swings in slow motion is acceptable.)

• Several chips, pitches, and bunker shots from both angles

• Several short, medium, and long putts from both angles

The total video should last approximately 10 minutes in length. The player should be neat in appearance (dressed professionally), and the setting should be organized and without distractions (other players, vehicles driving by, etc.)

Try to avoid the following when producing your video:

• Excessive audio (includes background noise, instructor giving a lesson, etc.)

• Drawing lines on the screen to indicate positions, angles, etc.

• Poor video angles and/or an unstable camera

• A tape that exceeds 10 minutes in length

• Slow motion swings (see above)

• Special effects

Ideally, you could e-mail your swing and short game video to a coach, allowing him to receive it quickly and to watch it from his computer with little inconvenience. If this cannot be accomplished, mailing the video to the coach’s office will work as well. Another option is to post your swing and short game video to You Tube and e-mail the link to coaches allowing them to view it with a simple one-step process. If you choose this option, review the video first to make sure the quality is what you are looking for.

Remember to keep the video short and simple. Sometimes less is more!