How to Follow Up Without Being Pushy

The Balance of Persistence and Respect

Following up with college coaches is essential for maintaining relationships and showing genuine interest, but there's a fine line between being persistent and being pushy. Understanding this balance is crucial for successful recruiting communication.

Why Follow-Up Matters

Coaches communicate with hundreds of recruits
Shows genuine interest in their program
Keeps you visible in a crowded recruiting field
Demonstrates maturity and communication skills
Provides opportunities to share new achievements
Helps build meaningful relationships over time

Follow-Up Frequency Guidelines

Recommended Timing

High Interest Programs

Every 3-4 weeks
More frequent during peak recruiting
Weekly if actively communicating
Immediate after significant achievements
Response within 24-48 hours

Moderate Interest Programs

Every 6-8 weeks
Monthly during tournament season
After major tournaments
Quarterly academic updates
Response within one week

Initial Contact Programs

Every 2-3 months
Seasonal updates only
Major achievement notifications
Academic milestone updates
Response within two weeks

Factors That Influence Timing

Coach's communication style and preferences
Level of interest shown by the program
Recruiting timeline and urgency
Tournament season vs. off-season timing
Your position on their recruiting board
Recent significant achievements or changes

What Constitutes Valuable Follow-Up

High-Value Communication Triggers

Legitimate Reasons to Follow Up

Significant tournament results or achievements
Updated academic information (test scores, GPA)
Schedule changes for camps or visits
Answering specific questions they asked
Sharing relevant news about your golf program
Expressing genuine interest after campus visits
Responding to their communication or requests
Major life or golf-related milestones

What NOT to Follow Up About

Avoid These Topics

Asking repeatedly about scholarship availability
Pressuring for immediate decisions or responses
Sharing every minor tournament result
Repeating information already provided
Complaining about lack of response
Comparing their program unfavorably to others
Sharing unrelated personal information

Professional Follow-Up Templates

Achievement Update Email

Template Example

Subject: [Your Name] - Tournament Update

Dear Coach [Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to share a recent tournament result that I'm excited about.

This past weekend, I finished T-3rd at the [Tournament Name] with rounds of 71-69-72. This was a strong field of 144 players including several college commits. The course played difficult with winds averaging 15-20 mph both days.

I continue to be very interested in [University Name] and would welcome any opportunities to learn more about your program. I'll be competing in the [Upcoming Tournament] next month and would be happy to provide updates on my progress.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Check-In Email

Template Example

Subject: [Your Name] - Spring Season Update

Dear Coach [Name],

I hope your spring season is going well. I've been following [University Name]'s results and was impressed with the team's performance at [Recent Tournament].

As we move into the summer tournament season, I wanted to touch base and share that my spring season concluded with a state ranking of [X] and a scoring average of [XX.X]. I'm currently planning my summer schedule and would appreciate any recommendations for tournaments where your staff might be in attendance.

I remain very interested in [University Name] and would welcome the opportunity to visit campus this summer if that works with your schedule.

Thank you for your continued interest.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]

Reading Coach Response Patterns

Response Time Analysis

Quick Response (1-3 days)

High interest in your recruitment
You're a priority prospect
Continue current communication frequency
Feel free to engage more actively

Moderate Response (1-2 weeks)

Genuine interest but busy schedule
You're being evaluated
Maintain steady communication
Be patient with response times

Slow/No Response (3+ weeks)

Lower priority or interest
May be overwhelmed with recruiting
Reduce communication frequency
Consider other options

Response Quality Indicators

Personalized vs. generic responses
Specific questions about your goals
Mention of your achievements or progress
Invitations to visit or attend events
Discussion of program fit and opportunities
Introduction to other staff members

Digital Communication Best Practices

Email Etiquette

Professional Standards

Clear, descriptive subject lines
Proper salutation and closing
Concise but informative content
Professional email signature
Proofread for grammar and spelling
Appropriate tone and language
Timely responses to their inquiries

Social Media Follow-Up

Like and comment appropriately on program posts
Share relevant content with thoughtful commentary
Tag coaches in significant achievement posts
Avoid excessive tagging or commenting
Maintain professional image in all interactions
Use direct messages sparingly and professionally

Warning Signs You're Being Too Pushy

Red Flag Behaviors

Stop If You're Doing These

Sending multiple emails without responses
Calling repeatedly without invitation
Showing up unannounced to practices or events
Pressuring for immediate scholarship decisions
Threatening to commit elsewhere as leverage
Involving parents in inappropriate ways
Criticizing their lack of communication
Comparing them unfavorably to other programs

Coach Feedback Indicating Overreach

"We'll be in touch when we have updates"
"Please limit communication to major achievements"
"We're not ready to make any decisions yet"
Increasingly delayed or shorter responses
Redirection to assistant coaches only
Generic responses that don't address your content

Strategic Follow-Up Planning

Annual Communication Calendar

Fall

Season recap and achievements
Updated academic information
Winter training plans
Official visit scheduling

Winter

Training progress updates
Spring schedule planning
Academic semester results
Goal setting for upcoming season

Spring

Tournament results and progress
Ranking updates
Summer tournament planning
Campus visit arrangements

Summer

Major tournament performance
Camp and clinic attendance
Fall preparation updates
Decision timeline discussions

Tracking Your Communication

Maintain detailed records of all coach interactions
Note response times and quality of engagement
Track which types of content generate responses
Monitor changes in communication patterns
Set reminders for appropriate follow-up timing
Evaluate effectiveness and adjust strategies

When to Increase or Decrease Communication

Increase Communication When:

Coach initiates more frequent contact
You're invited for official visits
Scholarship discussions become specific
Coach attends your tournaments
You're introduced to current team members
Decision timelines are discussed
Coach asks about your other recruitment

Decrease Communication When:

Response times become consistently longer
Responses become increasingly generic
Coach redirects communication to assistants
No response to multiple attempts
Coach suggests looking at other programs
Communication becomes one-sided
Coach explicitly requests less frequent contact

Final Tips for Effective Follow-Up

Remember These Key Principles

Quality over quantity in all communications
Respect coaches' time and busy schedules
Be genuine and authentic in your interest
Provide value in every interaction
Stay patient and professional throughout the process
Focus on building relationships, not just getting responses
Adapt your approach based on coach feedback and preferences
Remember that recruiting is a marathon, not a sprint

Effective follow-up communication is an art that requires patience, professionalism, and emotional intelligence. By providing value in your communications and respecting coaches' time and processes, you'll build meaningful relationships that can lead to recruiting success without coming across as pushy or desperate.