Golf-FAQ.com

how to be recruited for college golf

by Karelle Homenick Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

  • Create an online recruiting profile
  • Get good grades
  • Make sure you’re taking the right classes to be eligible for NCAA competition
  • Play in as many tournaments as you can. College golf coaches, recruiters and scouts attend many of these events. ...
  • Practice, play hard and put yourself in the best position to be recruited!

When do colleges start recruiting for golf players?

NCAA Division 1 and top Division 2 programs usually set the pace for the golf recruiting timeline. Student-athletes may find that Division 3 and NAIA schools become more active during junior and senior year when ACT and SAT scores become available. However, don’t read that as “recruiting starts after sophomore year.”

How do I get a college coach’s attention for golf recruiting?

One of the best ways to get on a college coach’s radar is by sending them a golf recruiting video. For players who may not have new footage from tournaments or camps, a golf skills video is key for showing coaches your athleticism and technical ability.

How do I become a college golf coach?

You need to promote yourself to golf coaches and let them learn more about you and your game. Your handicap will be as important to coaches as your grades. Start the recruiting process as early as possible for the best results. Most college golf coaches recruit very early on, so start now so you don’t miss out on opportunities.

How does Division I college golf recruitment work?

Heavy recruitment for Division I college golf begins on September 1 of a golfer’s junior year, when NCAA golf coaches are allowed to initiate contact with the athlete. Official visits to Division I schools are allowed during a golf player’s senior year.

See more

image

How do you get scouted for college golf?

6 ways to get noticed by a college coach:your name.parents' names.address.phone numbers.name of your home course.your instructor's contact information.name of your high school.your golf coach's contact information.More items...•

How do you get into college golf?

10 Steps to College GolfHigh GPA and Test Scores. A good academic record is more important than a good golf record. ... Compete in Nationally Ranked Tournaments. ... National Rankings. ... Register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. ... Contact Colleges. ... Campus Visits. ... National Letter of Intent. ... Financial Aid.More items...

How do you get recruited for D1 golf?

How to get noticed by college golf coachesMeet academic requirements. ... Know what requirements are needed in each division to compete. ... Attend multiple-day tournaments and become nationally ranked. ... Create an online profile. ... Contact coaches—and follow up.

What golf score do you need to play in college?

NCAA Division 1 golf scores: 70 to 75. NCAA Division 2 golf scores: 70 to high 70s. NCAA Division 3 golf scores: 72 to low 80s. NAIA golf scores: low 70s to high 80s.

How hard is it to walk-on d1 golf?

Walking on to a varsity college golf team is very, very difficult. There are many great stories out there about kids who have walked on to programs and been very successful college golfers, but it is rare to even get a chance for a walk-on spot especially at a larger school.

Is it hard to play college golf?

Coaches also pay attention to how juniors fare when competing in strong tournament fields and on difficult courses. College golf plays harder than junior golf, so they like to see who shines on the big stage. And don't forget about wins and low rounds.

How difficult is it to get a golf scholarship?

It is important to note that getting recruited to play college golf is very difficult. Less than 8% of golfers will play varsity golf at any level in college. Only a fraction of that 8% will get a full or partial scholarship.

Is NCSA worth it for golf?

“NCSA is the best way available to be able to show your skills to all coaches of all levels and get their attention. Also, the system allows you to see the level of competition you are on track for and the kinds of academic and athletic things you need to do to in order to achieve your goals.”

Is there an age limit to play college golf?

According to the NCAA, there is no set age limit for any athletes. However, Division I athletes are required to enroll in school one calendar year after high school graduation and then have just five years to complete a typical four-year degree.

What does an average d1 golfer shoot?

According to Junior Golf Hub's report, to play D-I golf, male players shot an average tournament score of 73.61 while females shot 76.78. The study notes that this data is based on tournament scores shot in 2020, the year leading up to the player's graduation year.

How good is the average college golfer?

The average scores for men are on the low end a 65 and on the high end a 75. For the women, the average scores can be anywhere from 66 to 78.

What college golf coaches look for?

What college golf coaches really look for in a playerMaturity. Maturity, both on and off the course, is very important. ... Scores. Scores will always be the most important factor for a coach. ... Passion and Work Ethic. ... Mental Toughness.

Creating a college golf resume

The first step before ever contacting a college golf coach is to create a resume with your athletic and academic accomplishments. Resumes should be digital and easily accessible for college coaches to access. Important information that needs to be included:

Understanding NCAA recruiting rules & calendar

The NCAA communication guidelines can be intimidating at first to understand for families. Let’s break it down in terms of what a junior golfer and college coach can and cannot do over the process:

Communicate, communicate, communicate

Emails – There are a few tips to always consider when emailing a college golf coach .

Verbal Scholarships & National Letter of Intent

It’s always an exciting time when a student-athlete received a verbal scholarship from a coach. However, nothing is official until after that verbal scholarship offer is followed up with a National Letter of Intent.

COLLEGE GOLF RECRUITING TIPS

Being recruited from a College is a long process that can last one or 2 years or more. We will help you navigate these steps until you get recruited. Here are few simple rules to keep in mind.

CALLING A COACH

There is only one rule that really matters. As a prospective student athlete you can call or email a coach anytime and the Golf coaches can speak with you. As long as you are making the phone and they answer your call the coaches can speak with you. But they are prohibited in initiating the contact with new recruits.

SENDING EMAILS

When you should start contacting Coaches? As soon as you are interested in the program. Remember coaches can read your e-mail but will not answer you before Sept 1st of your junior year. You can also fill out the online questionnaire to be recruited. When you write an e-mail never addressed the e-mail as “Dear Coach”, or write the wrong name.

WHAT IS YOUR TIMELINE

What to do as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior depends on your Golf Level and on the Division (D1, D2, D3) you would like to play for. If your dream is to play for Duke University you probably need to be a scratch golfer by the age of 15 and during your freshman/sophomore year.

When do college golfers sign up for golf?

Commitments: Signing dates for college golf programs typically begin in November and go through August of an athlete’s senior year (yes, it can even happen that late).

Why do golfers use recruiting agencies?

Because golf recruitment can be overwhelming for athletes, parents, and coaches, many athletic recruiting agencies have emerged to assist all parties involved in the recruitment process . However, the value of these agencies is highly debated and the adoption of these services by both players and coaches across the country is inconsistent. Although recruitment agencies can be helpful, large recruiting companies can also put the athlete at risk by not representing the athlete to the fullest or misunderstanding the athlete’s needs. Whereas some coaches say that they “trust [agencies’] judgements and will take a look at the athletes sent our way,” others say that they immediately delete emails from agencies and consider them “ equivalent to spam .”

Why Should I Include Grades and Test Scores Within My Profile?

Note that high school students must maintain a 2.3 GPA to compete during their freshman year of college for Division I sports; visit the NCAA’s 2point3.org website to learn more. With this in mind, it’s crucial that your online profile include academic details. In choosing an online profile tool, be sure to choose a platform that allows you to attach and post (not just state) your GPA and SAT/ACT scores. For safety, be sure that any sensitive information is password protected -- something we always ensure at Athletics Recruiting.

How many junior golf tournaments do college coaches attend?

Depending on a college's recruiting budget, golf recruiting coaches will attend 10-15 junior tournaments per year. It's at these tournaments that college coaches get a first-hand look at each perspective recruit and evaluate their 'intangibles'. What are we talking about? Your general athleticism, the way you respond to adversity, the way you bounce back from a bad shot, the way you interact with your coach ... You are advised to be on your best behavior, because you will be surprised to learn that you are being evaluated for far more than your score at these tournaments.

When does Division I golf start recruiting?

Recruitment periods. Heavy recruitment for Division I college golf begins on September 1 of a golfer’s junior year, when NCAA golf coaches are allowed to initiate contact with the athlete. Official visits to Division I schools are allowed during a golf player’s senior year. For Division II and III programs, these steps in the recruitment process are allowed to start earlier and the rules are a little more relaxed. For full details, view the NCAA’s college-bound athlete guide.

Can mass market recruiting agencies get through to college coaches?

The problem with using mass-market recruiting agencies is that they generate more email to college coaches than the college recruiting coaches - or their assistants - can get through. See our article about trends in college athletics recruiting and remember that you have to find a way to stand out. You are far better off building your own online profile and contacting college coaches directly -- yourself, and/or using a small, personalized service like roadtocollegegolf.com.

Is college golf competitive?

The college golf recruitment process can be competitive, but it’s also exciting. As a high school golfer, don’t forget that your skills are your most important asset -- however, your ability to package and showcase your scores along with your academic performance, is also crucial to your success. With the right online profile, you have a better shot at standing out to coaches and better your chances for getting recruited for their college golf programs.

When do golfers recruit for college?

But generally speaking, the second half of sophomore year through the end of junior year is when recruits want to be at their best golf game and proactively reaching out to college coaches. This is a peak time in recruiting. That being said, several coaches, including NCAA Division 3, NAIA and NJCAA coaches, continue to recruit into senior year, so there is opportunity later in high school, as well.

How does college golf work?

College golf courses, on the other hand, are much more difficult and tournaments typically last three to five days, including travel and practice. In season, women’s golf teams will compete once per week and play in two or more tournaments per month, with each tournament hosting anywhere from 10 to 20 teams. The top five players from each team travel to tournaments and the top four players compete. Typically, there’s an average of eight golfers per team, so not all athletes can travel and compete. National rankings are determined by a program’s win/loss rating and factors, such as scoring average, course strength, and coach evaluations. Teams compete both in the fall and the spring, with the biggest national tournament taking place at the end of the spring season.

What women’s golf tournaments should I compete in?

Competing at the national level gives student-athletes a chance to play in front of college coaches, improve their national ranking, and see how they measure up to top recruits across the country. Even more, independent tournament play is the most important factor coaches consider when recruiting student-athletes. Families have a few options to help them identify golf tournaments that will garner coach interest:

When is the best time to contact college golf coaches?

On one hand, you don’t want to wait too long, but you also don’t want to reach out to them when you’re not ready. Before you initiate any contact, do your research. Learn what average score and tournament experience you need to get a particular coach’s interest, and then double check that your grades and test scores meet the college’s expectations. After you feel confident that you have a list of realistic programs, start to send college coaches introductory emails that showcase your online profile and swing video.

Why do women's golf coaches go to national golf tournaments?

That’s why women’s golf coaches usually turn to national golf tournaments and rankings to find recruits. As you pick tournaments and events to attend, prioritize them based on course difficulty and yardage (6,000 and above).

How long does a golf tournament last?

College golf courses, on the other hand, are much more difficult and tournaments typically last three to five days, including travel and practice. In season, women’s golf teams will compete once per week and play in two or more tournaments per month, with each tournament hosting anywhere from 10 to 20 teams. The top five players from each team ...

What is the NCAA eligibility center?

Qualify academically. The NCAA Eligibility Center determines the academic eligibility and amateur status for all NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 athletes. Make sure you know the requirements so you can stay on track. Plus, golf coaches are more likely to recruit student-athletes who excel academically.

What is college golf camp?

College golf camps are a great opportunity for a young golfer to get a first-hand look at campus life and how a collegiate golf program operates. It also affords players the chance to receive instruction from some of the best coaches in the nation and understand what level of play is expected of college golfers. The real beauty of a camp is that it provides a low-stress introduction to collegiate athletics.

What GPA do you need to be a college athlete?

For example, University of California schools have a program called “UC-qualified” which sets a strict 3.0 GPA minimum for California residents (3.4 GPA for non-residents) (2018) for any student to be admitted, including athletes.

Where are Nike junior golf camps located?

Nike Junior Golf Camps is a division of US Sports Camps, Inc (USSC). Headquartered in San Rafael, California, USSC is America’s largest sports camp network and the licensed operator of Nike Sports Camps. The company has offered summer camps in the U.S. since 1975 with the same mission that defines it today: to shape a lifelong enjoyment of athletics through high quality sports education and skill enhancement. Nike Junior Golf Camps offers junior overnight and day camps, as well as advanced player camps at over 130 locations nationwide. Since 1994, more than 200,000 junior golfers have participated in the camps.

What is a contact in college?

Contact: A contact is when a college coach says more than hello during an in-person contact with a college-bound athlete or their parents off the college campus.

Does tournaments matter in golf?

The types of tournaments matter less than the results a player shows during competitive play. If a player has a record of low scores that a college program expects of its own players, then that player would have a better chance of getting recruited. If a player is winning high-level tournaments and placing in amateur competitions, this adds to a junior golfer’s likelihood of being scouted.

Can coaches write to their parents?

Dead Period: Coaches may only write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during this time . Coaches are not allowed to have face-to-face communication with a prospect or their parents or watch them compete or visit their high school.

How to promote yourself to college golf coaches?

Your handicap will be as important to coaches as your grades. Start the recruiting process as early as possible for the best results. Most college golf coaches recruit very early on, so start now so you don’t miss out on opportunities.

Why do college golfers play?

Playing college golf allows student athletes the opportunity to continue to learn and improve their game while also getting a great education. There are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of being recruited for college golf.

How many scholarships are there for golf in the NCAA?

NCAA. There are over 300 schools that offer golf programs at the NCAA Division 1 level. Each college can offer a maximum of 4.5 scholarships for men and 6 scholarships for women. At the Division 2 level there are 208 colleges that can award a maximum of 3.6 scholarships for men and 5.4 for women. Division 3 schools do not offer athletic ...

What level of golf is considered a D1?

The elite college golf programs at the NCAA D1 level will want you to shoot low scores in order to be considered for a roster spot and even lower scores if you are looking for golf scholarship opportunities. That said, there are many opportunities (often times with scholarships) to be earned at the DII, DIII, NAIA and NJCAA college levels.

How many scholarships are there for junior college golf?

The standards are not as high as the NCAA/NAIA but the golf is both exciting and competitive. There are 109 golf programs at the community college level; schools are limited to 8 golf scholarships ...

Why is it important to have a recruiting profile?

Having a recruiting profile is the best way to get the exposure you need and get recruited.

Does Division 3 offer athletic scholarships?

Division 3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships, but other forms of aid may be available. Over 300 schools compete at the NCAA DIII level. NCAA College Golf is classed as an equivalency sport and therefore golf scholarships can be offered as full scholarships or partial scholarships split among multiple players.

image

Creating A College Golf Resume

Image
The first step before ever contacting a college golf coach is to create a resumewith your athletic and academic accomplishments. Resumes should be digital and easily accessible for college coaches to access. Important information that needs to be included: 1. Tournament Scoring Average 2. Junior Golf Scoreboard Rank 3. …
See more on highschoolgolf.org

Understanding NCAA Recruiting Rules & Calendar

  • The NCAA communication guidelines can be intimidating at first to understand for families. Let’s break it down in terms of what a junior golfer and college coach can and cannot do over the process: NCAA Division 1 Student-Athletes Can: 1. Fill out recruiting questionnaires 2. Send emails/updates to coaches 3. Leave voice-mails for college coaches at any point Student-Athlet…
See more on highschoolgolf.org

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

  • Emails – There are a few tips to always consider when emailing a college golf coach. 1. Start with the assistant coach first 2. Avoid Monday’s when reaching out as they will typically be their busiest 3. Check the team’s schedule before reaching out to them 4. Personalize and individualize each email that you send, never just send a generic email Phone Calls – Calling a college coach…
See more on highschoolgolf.org

Verbal Scholarships & National Letter of Intent

  • It’s always an exciting time when a student-athlete received a verbal scholarship from a coach. However, nothing is official until after that verbal scholarship offer is followed up with a National Letter of Intent. A (NLI) is a binding agreement between a student-athlete and a college/university that binds an athlete to that school for one academic year. Only NCAA Divison 1 and NCAA Divis…
See more on highschoolgolf.org

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9