The First Tee --- 1
First Edition
College Golf
Road Map
Creating Your Path to Play College Golf
Developed for Students and Parents
The First Tee --- 2
Table of Contents
o Introduction: What is the College Golf Road Map?...................................................................................................................3
o Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................................................................................4
Section I - College Golf: The Inside Story
o What is it like to play college golf?................................................................................................................................................. 6
o The truth about college golf............................................................................................................................................................. 7
o What does it take to play college golf........................................................................................................................................... 8
o 2014 college golf scores.................................................................................................................................................................... 9
o The facts about college golf scholarships...................................................................................................................................... 10
Section 2 - Developing Into A College Golfer
o Preparing for college golf: Building a successful junior golf foundation................................................................................. 12
o Start early............................................................................................................................................................................... 12
o Start small...............................................................................................................................................................................13
o Step up your game............................................................................................................................................................... 14
o Play where college coaches are........................................................................................................................................15
o Key items to remember..................................................................................................................................................... 16
o Sample junior golf progression......................................................................................................................................... 17
o College golf recruiting tools: Items every junior golfer needs................................................................................................ 18
o Getting your game ready for junior and college golf................................................................................................................. 19
Section 3 - The Recruiting Process: Positioning Yourself to Play College Golf
o College golf recruiting checklist...................................................................................................................................................... 21
o College golf preparation timelines.................................................................................................................................................. 22
o NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and NJCAA teams.......................................................................... 22
o NCAA Division 1 teams (ranked outside top 50) as well as elite Division II and Division III teams............ 25
o Top ranked NCAA Division I teams.............................................................................................................................. 28
o Tips for researching college golf programs.................................................................................................................................. 31
o Historically black colleges and universities................................................................................................................................... 32
o Special circumstances and questions.............................................................................................................................................. 33
o What if I am behind in the process?............................................................................................................................... 33
o What if I have some bad/really bad scores on my resume?..................................................................................... 34
o What role do parents play in the college golf recruiting process?......................................................................... 35
o What do I need to know about the NCAA and where do I go for help?............................................................ 39
Section 4 - Making Your Decision
o Determining the right fit.................................................................................................................................................................... 41
o Making your college decision........................................................................................................................................................... 42
Section 5 – Resources
o Where do I go for help?.................................................................................................................................................................... 46
o Sample personal resume.................................................................................................................................................................... 47
o Sample junior golf resume................................................................................................................................................................. 48
o Sample introduction letter to coaches.......................................................................................................................................... 49
o Swing video instructions.................................................................................................................................................................... 50
o Sample meal-plan for competitive golfers..................................................................................................................................... 51
o Southern Methodist University practice example...................................................................................................................... 52
o UNC Chapel Hill Men’s Golf practice drills................................................................................................................................. 54
o College golf recruiting checklist (blank copy).............................................................................................................................. 58
o College golf glossary........................................................................................................................................................................... 59
o References............................................................................................................................................................................................. 62
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 3
Introduction: What is the College Golf Road Map?
Imagine receiving a letter in the mail and opening it to find one of your top schools has made you a scholarship
offer to come play golf for the next four years. Sounds amazing, right? This could be you!
The question now becomes, how do you make this dream become a reality? If you are reading this guide, it is
probably because you or someone you know has an interest in playing college golf. If this is the case, then you
have come to the right place!
The College Golf Road Map serves two main purposes:
1. To educate students and their families on the world of college golf. The guide will provide useful insight
on what college golf is actually like, the different levels of competition, scholarships, the importance of
being a well-rounded student and much more.
2. To lay out a clear pathway for success. Young people and their parents can use the contents and
resources in this guide to better position themselves for an opportunity to play college golf.
You don’t have to be a participant in The First Tee program for this guide to be useful. It is for everyone! It
doesn’t matter if you are a high school senior who has already been offered a scholarship, or a 6
th
grader just
beginning to play competitively. There is something in this guide for you.
This information was created with the help of college coaches, college golf experts and former college golfers
who are passionate about helping young people reach their goals on and off the course. The College Golf
Road Map contains helpful information, timelines, tips, checklists, charts and quotes that will help you set and
achieve your goals.
Thank you for downloading this resource. We hope you find its contents relevant and useful!
Should you have any questions or comments about the College Golf Road Map please use the contact
information below.
Enjoy!
Ryan Wilson (University of North Carolina at Charlotte)
Manager, Program Evaluation & Assessment
The First Tee
[email protected]
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 4
Acknowledgements
Special thanks go out to the college coaches, industry professionals and The First Tee home office staff who contributed
to the creation of this guide:
College Coaches
Dianne Dailey, Wake Forest University Head Women’s Golf Coach (Salem College)
T.D. Luten, Duke University Assistant Men’s Golf Coach (Hampton University)
Sam Puryear, Queens University, Director of Golf Operations (Tennessee State University)
Terrance Stewart, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Head Men’s Golf Coach (Lenoir-Rhyne)
Andrew DiBitetto, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Associate Head Men’s Golf Coach
(University of North Carolina at Charlotte)
Andy Walker, South Mountain Community College Head Men’s Golf Coach (Pepperdine University)
Industry Professionals
Jeff Dunovant, PGA (Fayetteville State University)
Mike Cooper, Ph.D.
Kelli Corlett, LPGA (Dominican University)
Andrea Bordeaux, Bill Dickey Scholarship Association
The First Tee Home Office Staff
Beth Brown, Ph.D., LPGA, past Univ. of Kansas Assistant Women’s Golf Coach (University of Oklahoma)
Ryan Graff (University of Illinois)
Leon Gilmore (Hampton University)
Hugh Smith (Jackson State University)
Rachel Maruno (University of Missouri-Kansas City)
Eric Clark, PGA (Prairie View A&M)
Megan Pak (University of Florida)
Julie Jansa (New Mexico State University)
Dedric Holmes
Henry Sandles (University of New Mexico)
Emily Mock (University of Findlay)
Erik Pineda
Tai Moran (Texas Southern University)
Mark Lowry
The information in parentheses indicates where each individual played college golf and when they graduated.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 5
Section 1
College Golf:
The Inside Story
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 6
What is it Like to Play College Golf?
College golf offers student athletes a unique and fantastic experience. Being a student athlete means combining a college
education with highly competitive athletics. College golf is a pathway for athletes who endeavor to improve all aspects of
their game and to grow emotionally from the experience of being away from home while balancing many new priorities.
The student athlete will be required to attend classes and study, as well as attend daily golf practice, strength and
conditioning/fitness sessions, and compete in a number of tournaments. Student athletes will be provided with coaching,
conditioning and practice in order to bring their golf game to a new level. College golf sets students up for a career after
school and provides a stepping stone for athletes looking to play professional golf.
Here is a sample week for a college golfer while in season
Workout three days per week
Attend a minimum of 4–5 classes, 2–3 times per week
(usually 15 credit hours/week)
Participate in evening study hall sessions
Meet with tutors to prepare for class assignments
Practice daily with the golf team
Meet with coaching staff to evaluate golf game and set goals
Travel to a tournament for four days (practice round and
36-54 holes of competition)
Cook meals, do laundry, visit with friends and rest
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
6:30AM
Morning
workout
8:00AM to
12PM
Attend 3 classes
12:30PM
Lunch
1:00 to
6:00PM
Qualifying for
Tournament
6:30PM Dinner
7:30 to
9:30PM
Freshman Study
Hall
9:30 to
11:00PM
Free Time
11:00PM Rest
6:30AM
Morning
workout
8:00AM to
12PM
Attend 3 classes
12:30PM
Lunch
1:30 to
6:00PM
Golf Team
Practice
6:30PM
Dinner
7:30 to
9:30PM
Freshman Study
Hall
9:30 to
11:00PM
Free Time
11:00PM Rest
8:00AM to
12PM
6:30AM
Morning
workout
8:00AM to
12PM
Attend 3 classes
12:30PM
Lunch
1:30 to
6:00PM
Golf Team
Practice
6:30PM
Dinner
7:30 to
9:30PM
Freshman Study
Hall
9:30 to
11:00PM
Free Time
11:00PM Rest
6:00AM
6:00AM
Breakfast
7:00AM
Warm Up for
Tournament
8:00AM to
6:00PM
36 Hole
Tournament
Day
7:00PM
Dinner at the
Course
8:30 to
10:00PM
Study for Test
10:15PM
Rest
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 7
The Truth about College Golf
Myth: Your average 18-hole score has to be in the low to mid 70s in order to play college golf…
Truth: The truth is that there are many different levels of college golf. Division 1 golf is the most competitive and
many of the top schools will require these types of scores. However there are lots of other opportunities to play
college golf for lower ranked Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, NAIA and Junior Colleges. If your goal is to play college
golf, there is probably a program somewhere in the country that will be a good fit for your game.
Myth: Hundreds of women’s college golf scholarships go unused every year…
Truth: The women’s collegiate game is incredibly competitive and scholarships at most levels are challenging to come
by. Some scholarships do go unused, but generally these are at smaller schools that are less attractive to many student
athletes because of location, climate, etc.
Myth: Playing well in high school golf is my ticket to a college golf scholarship…
Truth: Most college coaches pay very little attention to high school golf. College golf
tournaments are generally 36 or 54 holes, while most high school competitions are only 9
or 18 holes. High school golf is a great way to stay competitive throughout the year, but
your play (good or bad) won’t have much effect on the college recruiting process. Typically
the only high school competitions that coaches pay attention to are 36-hole events like
state championships.
Myth: Your parents will hold your hand and do all the work in the recruiting process
for you…
Truth: The individuals who have the most success in the recruiting process are those
who take ownership and make things happen on their own. Parents aren’t allowed to live
on campus with you, so college coaches like to see young women and men who are
proactive and take initiative.
Myth: You should be a skilled golfer before you start playing competitive tournaments…
Truth: Competitive golf is the best way to assess and improve your abilities. It allows you to compare your strengths
and weaknesses with other young people your age and helps you create a plan for improvement moving forward. Start
as soon as possible and play in as many tournaments as possible.
Myth: Coaches will automatically recruit me because I am a good player…
Truth: This is only true if you are one of the five best players in the state from your recruiting class. For everyone
else, you have to be proactive and recruit the coaches yourself. It takes time, energy and effort on the part of the player
to create interest from coaches and land a scholarship or spot on a team.
Myth: I have lots of time and can wait until my junior or senior year to begin thinking about playing college golf…
Truth: The vast majority of scholarships and roster spots have already been claimed by a student’s junior year. You
need to start the process EARLY in order to have the best chance at earning a scholarship or a spot on the team.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 8
What does it take to Play College Golf?
How good are college golfers? Below, you will find some general guidelines for what college coaches at every division
look for in potential recruits. Keep in mind that if you fall outside of these general requirements it is still possible to play
at that level, but there will be fewer opportunities. Look at the next page for an in depth look at actual college golf
scores from 2014.
Men’s Golf
Lower Ranked DII, DIII, NAIA and NJCAA
Teams
Competes in state and local tournaments.
Average scores from courses over 6,700 yards:
Low End: 69
High End: 90
Lower Ranked DI Teams and Top Ranked DII
and DIII Teams
Competes at the regional and state levels.
Average scores from courses over 6,800 yards:
Low End: 67
High End: 81
Top Ranked Division I Teams
Top finishes at the national, regional and state levels.
Summer golf schedule consists of AJGA, USGA,
regional, state, and multiple local tournament wins.
Has a high national ranking.
Average scores from courses over 6,800 yards:
Low End: 65
High End: 75
Women’s Golf
Lower Ranked Division II, DIII, NAIA and
NJCAA Teams
Competes in state and local tournaments.
Average Scores from courses over 6,000 yards:
Low End: 74
High End: 95
Lower Ranked DI Teams and Top Ranked DII
and DIII Teams
Competes at the regional and state levels.
Average Scores from courses over 6,200 yards:
Low End: 70
High End: 85
Top Ranked Division I Teams
Top finishes in national, regional and state level events.
Summer golf schedule includes a rigorous AJGA, USGA,
regional, and state level tournaments.
Has a high junior golf ranking.
Average Scores from courses over 6,300 yards:
Low End: 66
High End: 78
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 9
2014 College Golf Scores
WOMEN
NJCAA-2
NJCAA-1
NAIA
NCAA Division III
NCAA Division II
NCAA Division I
Course
Yardage
5,800 - 6,000
5,800 - 6,000
5,900 - 6,100
5,900 - 6,100
6,000 - 6,200
6,100 - 6,300
Scoring
Team
Rank
N/A
N/A
N/A
#1
#10
#19
#1
#66
#132
#1
#62
#125
#1
#71
#142
#1
#128
#256
#1
Player
N/A
N/A
N/A
71.5
87.4
105.9
74.2
87.8
103.1
76.4
86.2
95.8
73.2
82.9
87.7
71.5
76.7
92.1
#2
Player
N/A
N/A
N/A
74.1
89.4
106.4
78.1
88.0
109.0
77.5
92.0
98.4
73.8
83.1
96.3
71.5
77.1
93.5
#3
Player
N/A
N/A
N/A
77.0
91.0
109.0
78.7
88.7
113.8
79.5
93.1
102.6
75.1
83.2
100.8
72.3
77.8
98.0
MEN
NJCAA-2
NJCAA-1
NAIA
NCAA Division III
NCAA Division II
NCAA Division I
Course
Yardage
6,500-7,000
6,500-7,000
6,500-7,000
6,500-7,000
6,500-7,100
6,600-7,300
Scoring
Team
Rank
#1
#20
#40
#1
#17
#34
#1
#88
#176
#1
#135
#270
#1
#101
#202
#1
#147
#294
#1
Player
72.30
75.60
76.40
74.90
72.50
77.20
72.80
76.70
80.60
72.10
77.50
91.20
70.00
74.50
81.00
70.10
74.50
78.80
#2
Player
73.30
78.50
82.00
75.10
77.30
85.10
73.40
77.80
85.60
73.60
77.60
94.60
72.90
74.90
86.90
70.80
74.60
83.10
#3
Player
75.90
78.90
88.30
75.60
77.70
85.20
73.80
78.10
88.50
74.80
79.00
98.20
73.00
76.50
91.50
71.20
75.40
88.80
Scores were taken directly from the 2014 Golfstat Prep Report. Three teams were selected from each division: the #1 ranked team, the middle ranked team
and the last ranked team. Typically five players travel to every tournament in college, but only the top 3 team scorers were included in this report. The top 3
scores are the individuals who will likely play at each tournament. Keep this in mind as you try and determine which schools and golf programs you might fit into.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 10
The Facts about College Golf Scholarships
The chart below indicates the total number of golf scholarships offered at the various levels of collegiate competition.
IMPORTANT: These are the maximum amount of golf scholarships a school can offer at any point in time. These
scholarships are spread out between all student athletes ranging from freshman all the way to seniors. Many programs
are not fully funded and cannot offer the full amount seen below.
An extremely small number of players (male and female) receive a full golf scholarship. Full scholarships usually include
tuition, room/board and books. Most players receive a partial scholarship which is spread out between the schools top
5–7 performers.
Program Type
Women’s
Scholarships
Available
Men’s
Scholarships
Available
Division I
6
4.5
Division II
5.4
3.6
Division III
0
0
NAIA
5
5
NJCAA (Junior College)
8
8
Student athletes always have the option to supplement their athletic scholarships with academic scholarships and other
awards unrelated to their golf abilities. Start by doing a quick Google search to identify scholarships you may be eligible for.
You should also contact your high school guidance office and the admissions office to inquire about scholarships for the
school(s) you would like to attend.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 11
Section 2
Developing into a
College Golfer
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 12
Preparing for College Golf
Building a Successful Junior Golf Foundation
Playing competitive junior golf is a must for young women and men hoping to play at the collegiate level. Junior golf
tournaments provide players with opportunities to develop their games while providing college coaches with
opportunities to evaluate players in order to make important decisions on playing opportunities and scholarships.
Building a successful junior golf schedule can be a daunting and complex process. Use the recommendations below as a
starting point in your journey.
START EARLY
Obviously, the sooner you start playing competitive golf the better. If you haven’t heard this saying yet, you will soon:
“Competitive golf is very different than recreational golf.” This is true! It takes time to adjust to the added pressure that
comes along with playing for a score and signing an official scorecard at the end of a round. The more you can put
yourself in this type of position, the better prepared you will be for the different environments and situations you are
sure to encounter along the way.
The timeline of when you should begin playing competitive golf is dependent on a couple of factors.
Ask yourself these questions:
o How fast are you developing?
For some golfers, improvement comes quick and easy. For others, the process is slow and challenging. Generally,
a young person will need AT LEAST 3–6 YEARS of competitive golf experience to develop the necessary
fundamentals and skills to play in college. Keep this in mind as you consider the next point.
o What level of college golf do you want to play?
The best golf schools in the country are committing almost all of their players in their freshman and sophomore
years of high school. So if you have dreams of playing at schools like Texas, Georgia and Stanford, you need to
be a nationally accomplished golfer by this time. You may have a little more time if you have less competitive
aspirations, but don’t delay! The earlier you start and the more proactive you are, the greater your chance of
securing a place to play and scholarship money.
o What if I am getting started late?
The bad news is that you are behind and now have
to play catch-up. The good news is that you always
have options. They may not be your first choice,
but with over 2,200 college golf programs in the
US, the odds of finding a great golf and school
combination are in your favor. If you find yourself
in this situation, assemble a Go-to Team of people
who are familiar with the college golf process and
ask them for help. These individuals will be able to
help you lay out a plan to achieve your goal of
playing golf in college.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 13
START SMALL
Once you have set a goal to play college golf, you need to begin playing competitive junior golf. Get started right away
looking for local tournaments to begin sharpening your skills. Don’t buy into the myth that you need to be a skilled
golfer before you begin playing tournaments. States, cities and towns have lots of tournament options for golfers of
every skill level.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Your Local Chapter of The First Tee
In addition to golf and life skill classes, most chapters host individual and/or team golf tournaments throughout
the year. The skill level of participants ranges from beginners all the way to older advanced players. Connect
with your local chapter and find out what competitive opportunities they offer by visiting their website here:
www.thefirsttee.org.
The First Tee program also gives students many
opportunities to develop their personal résumés as well.
Very few players receive full athletic scholarships to play
college golf. This means that most prospective student
athletes will be looking for academic scholarships to cover
additional costs. Academic scholarships are rewarded based
on grades, test scores, leadership and volunteerism. The
First Tee program, both locally and nationally, provides
young people with many of opportunities to develop in these
areas.
As a member of The First Tee, participants have the opportunity to coach and mentor other youth, utilize high
quality learning centers, attend leadership academies, develop community service projects and immerse
themselves in corporate work cultures. These experiences will help students distinguish themselves from their
peers and will ultimately help them transition into college life more effectively.
PGA Junior League Golf
This is another great option to dip your feet into the competitive golf scene. Participants compete as teams in a
series of mixed format tournaments. Emphasis is placed on camaraderie and learning the game. Visit
www.pgajrleaguegolf.com to learn more.
Local Junior Golf Tours
A majority of communities have junior tours serving young golfers in the area. Tournaments usually range from
9 holes for beginners and younger players, to 36 or 54-hole events for older and more advanced players. To find
tours in your area, start by searching on the web (Google search example: St. Augustine Florida Junior Golf
Tours – OR – St. Augustine Florida Junior Golf Tournaments).
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 14
STEP UP YOUR GAME
The more tournaments you can play, the more you will develop your skills. Every time you play an event, you should be
learning about your golf game and what you need to do to move to the next level. The following is a list of competitive
golf opportunities that may be a good next step for you.
Middle School/High School Golf Teams
Middle school and high school golf teams are a great way for students to get in competitive reps, especially
during traditionally slow periods of the year. The drawback of school golf is that a majority of college coaches
do not pay attention to it in their recruiting efforts. Coaches base nearly all their roster and scholarship
decisions on individual tournament play that is unrelated to school golf.
State Golf Associations
Nearly every state in the country has a state-wide golf association that serves junior and amateur competitors.
Generally, state golf associations do a great job of providing quality tournaments for golfers of all abilities at very
affordable prices. Tournaments can range from short events for beginners to multiple day championships for
more advanced players. Look online if you are unfamiliar with your state golf association (Google search
example: Florida State Golf Association). Note: some large cities or metropolitan areas have their own golf
associations too (examples: Houston, Metropolitan NY/NJ, etc.).
Regional Golf Tours
A quick Google search should bring up multiple junior
golf tours serving participants in your region of the
country. These are generally for players who are
looking to compete with individuals beyond their local
communities. They usually require some type of
membership to the tour and participants will likely need
a junior golf resume and a USGA Handicap Index.
A drawback with tours like these is that they can often
be a bit more expensive than local tours and state golf
associations. Caution should also be exercised in the
amount of tournaments that participants play on these
tours. Junior golf tours will often sell themselves as
great opportunities to get recruited by college coaches,
however this is only true for a very select few. Junior golfers should be constantly striving to raise their level of
play. Once you start having some success or begin feeling comfortable at a given level, you should look to
challenge your game at the next level of competition. Here’s an example of a Google search that may help you
locate regional junior golf tours serving your area: Junior Golf Tours in the Southeast
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 15
PLAY WHERE COLLEGE COACHES ARE
Most college golf coaches have certain levels of golf tournaments they consistently recruit from. To be successful you
have to do your homework and find out where the coaches will be. Know what types of schools you want to attract and
work to play in tournaments where the coach will take notice of your results. Consider the following options as you are
establishing your tournament schedule.
State Golf Association Championships
There is a myth in junior golf that says you have to play American
Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events in order to earn a college
scholarship. While this may be true for a select group of elite Division I
schools, this is not true for a majority of the 2,200 men’s and women’s
golf programs around the country. Most state golf associations host
several advanced level junior events throughout the calendar year.
These events could be billed as the “State Stoke Play Championship,
“State Match Play Championship” or some other name. Typically, the
highest ranked players in the state gain automatic entry into these
events based on past performances, but there will usually be an open-
qualifying process for everyone else looking to earn their way in. Performing well in strong state-wide events can
put you on the radar for several colleges and universities in your area. A major benefit of these events is that
they are usually multiple day tournaments offered at very reasonable costs.
National Junior Golf Tours
Playing competitive golf on the national level is very important for junior golfers looking to attract the attention of
many universities. National junior golf tours like the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), Future Collegians
World Tour (FCWT) and the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) are great ways to accomplish this. Tours such as
these offer numerous multiple day competitions at courses around the country. All college coaches are familiar with
these tours and recognize the talent/ability taken to compete at this level. You should be aware that these tours can
be expensive and require that players purchase a membership before enrolling in their events. However, some tours
provide financial assistance to players and their families that demonstrate a need (example: AJGA ACE Grant).
Independent Junior Golf Tournaments
Multiple day, independent junior golf tournaments are offered for elite participants all around the country. A
quick Google search or visit to the AJGA Points Based Entry Map will help you identify what these events are.
You can also do a tournament search on www.juniorgolfscoreboard.com. Potential benefits of playing in these
events are exposure to college coaches, strengthening your junior golf resume, the opportunity to improve your
state/national ranking, or gaining entry into other elite junior events.
United States Golf Association (USGA) Championships
The most prestigious junior and amateur golf competitions in our country are conducted by the United States
Golf Association (USGA - US Junior Boys Championship, US Junior Girls Championship, US Amateur
Championship, US Women’s Amateur Championship, etc.). Each of these events has a qualifying process that is
open to all participants who meet a minimum handicap requirement. Qualifying is very difficult, but doing so will
garner attention from numerous college coaches. Participants should make an effort to qualify for these events
as often as possible.
International Events
Some elite junior golfers may choose to play in tournaments outside of the United States. Doing this is not
necessary to earn a college scholarship, but can be a meaningful and educational experience.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 16
KEY ITEMS TO REMEMBER
Keep the following points in mind as you create your tournament schedule.
Unofficial Visits
Try to schedule unofficial visits whenever you are traveling for golf tournaments or family vacations. Contact the
coach well in advance and let them know you will be in the area and would like to come by for a visit. You may
get to meet the coach and they may come watch you play.
Junior Golf Resume
Every junior golfer wanting to play in college needs to create and maintain a junior golf resume. Your junior golf
resume is what you will use to communicate your skills and progress to college coaches.
USGA Handicap
All junior golfers need to establish a USGA Handicap Index. This measure is used in the application process for
most junior and amateur golf tournaments. USGA Handicaps can be established at many locations. Start by
checking your local golf course where you play most often. Other options may be your state golf association or
junior golf tours you hold membership to.
Multiple Day Events
College coaches are looking for events that are at least 36-holes. College tournaments can be 36, 54 or even
72-holes. When faced with the decision to play an 18-hole or a 36-hole event, it is recommended that you go
with the 36-hole event most of the time.
Important Time Periods
Depending on what level of college golf you wish to play, there are time periods that are extremely important to
be demonstrating good results in strong tournament fields. Playing your best golf during these time periods will
attract the most attention from college coaches and provide you with the best chance for playing opportunities
and scholarships. As always, there are exceptions to the information below, but not many.
o Division II, Division III, NAIA and
NJCAA Programs
Sophomore year graduation thru senior year
graduation.
o Division I, Elite Division II and Elite
Division III Programs
Middle of your sophomore year thru your junior
year graduation.
o Elite Division I Programs
Beginning of your freshman year thru the middle
of your junior year.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 17
SAMPLE JUNIOR GOLF PROGRESSION
Below you will find a recommended tournament progression for a junior golfer living in the Jacksonville/St. Augustine
area of Florida. Similar options will most likely be available in other cities, states and regions.
1. Enrolled with The First Tee of North Florida. Takes after school classes and competes in a chapter hosted
tournament every
4–6 weeks.
2. Joins a local PGA Junior League Team
3. Joins the North Florida Junior Golf Tour and competes in multiple
events.
4. Plays in the Jacksonville City Junior Championship
5. Joins the middle school golf team
6. Continues playing in a few North Florida Junior Golf Tour events
7. Begins playing in some Florida Junior Tour events, which are conducted by the Florida State Golf Association (FSGA).
8. Attempts to qualify for some of the Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) Junior Championships.
9. Joins the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) and the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour (SJGT) to begin competing
against players from outside of the Jacksonville/St. Augustine area.
10. Joins the American Junior Golf Association and looks to play in a couple “Junior All-Star” designated events if
possible.
11. Joins the high school golf team
12. Plays in multiple Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) Junior Championships.
13. Identifies and plays in multiple independent junior tournaments held in the southeastern US.
14. Joins the Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) and the International Junior Golf Tour (IJFT) and competes in a
few events.
15. Attempts to qualify for the United States Golf Association (USGA) Junior Championships and American Junior
Golf Association (AJGA) open events.
16. Plays in as many highly ranked junior events as possible. These may be offered through a tour, state golf
association, national golf association or independent tournaments.
17. Before going to college, players should be looking to try a few local, regional or national level amateur
competitions.
***If you are starting the process late and have less time to develop, your progression may look different. Hopefully, you have
created a Go-to Team to help you as you pursue your competitive golf goals. If this is the case, reach out to somebody with
experience playing college golf, or someone who is very familiar with the process. Ask them to evaluate your game and help you
create a game plan for achieving your goals. This is the best place to start***
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 18
College Golf Recruiting Tools
Items Every Junior Golfer Needs
Junior Golf Resume (must have)
You junior golf resume is where you record and track your competitive golf results. It should be easy to read, current
and accurate. College coaches will view your results and determine whether or not you are a potential recruit for their
school. Make it a priority to update your junior golf resume after every event. A sample has been included in the
“Resources” section of this guide.
Academic Resume (must have)
Academics are an important piece of the recruiting puzzle for
every college coach. Students with strong grades are more likely to
excel in the college classroom, are more capable of managing their
time and have a higher likelihood of earning academic scholarship
money. Your academic resume is the place you should keep track
of your GPA and your class rank for coaches. You should also
keep a detailed account of the extracurricular and service activities
that you take part in. Being a well-rounded student can only
increase your odds of playing golf in college.
USGA Handicap Index (must have)
The USGA Handicap system has several benefits, but the most useful for junior golfers is that it helps establish a baseline
measure of ability. Players frequently have to submit their USGA Handicap Index when they apply for various
tournaments. Some tournaments have minimum handicap requirements that must be met in order to gain entry.
Contact your local golf course to inquire about establishing a USGA Handicap.
Introduction Letter (must have)
Your first communication with a college golf coach will often take place through a written letter or email. Taking the
time to write a thorough and articulate letter increases the chance that your first impression is a positive one. Doing the
opposite could potentially damage your chances of playing golf for a school you are interested in. Do your homework and
make sure that you are or could be a potential recruiting match. Always try your best to use proper grammar, punctuation
and spelling. If possible, have someone proofread your letter. Avoid being generic; tell the coach why you are interested in
their school. Always include the coach’s name in the opening. Ask the coach if they are able to come watch you play and
include your upcoming tournament schedule. Be patient as you are waiting for responses and remember to say “thank you”
for their time. A sample has been included in the “Resources” section of this guide.
Swing Video (very important)
Swing videos can be a highly effective way of communicating with college coaches. Often times, a coach may be unavailable
to watch you play in person and a video helps them evaluate your fundamentals and athleticism. See the “Resources”
section of this guide for tips on creating an effective swing video.
Website/YouTube Channel (helpful)
After you have developed items listed above, you are going to need a place to present them nicely. A website or a YouTube
Channel are great ways to accomplish this. These mediums have the luxury of being easily updated and can cut down the time
you spend sending out emails to coaches. Be sure to look at examples and check into costs before doing this.
Combine (helpful)
College golf combines are becoming more popular these days. There is no substitute for playing tournaments, but these
events have advantages. Combines often make use of new technology like Trackman to analyze swing and ball-flight statistics.
They also provide coaches with the opportunity to evaluate more players in a shorter amount of time. Try a quick Google
search to locate college golf combines in your area. Be sure to do your research on price and make sure that the combine
company you are interested in is a reputable organization.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 19
Getting Your Game Ready for Junior and College Golf
Practice Habits
How productive are your practice sessions? Do your practice sessions have a purpose and clear defined goals? Are you
creating situations that will prepare you for the challenges and stressors that will undoubtedly come from competition?
If not, you should be! This requires a great deal of discipline and some prep work, but rest assured that the best players
at every level are doing so.
Start by doing online research on how college and PGA TOUR players practice. Talk to a current college golfer and
learn how they practice. Identify a friend or a group of friends you can practice with regularly. Turn drills into fun
competitions with yourself and with others. Set goals for what you want to accomplish before going to the course.
Record your results in a practice journal and track your improvements. Identify weaknesses in your game and spend a
greater percentage of time focused on these areas. Sample practice routines and drills from top college programs have
been included in the “Resources” section of this guide.
Mental Preparation
Anyone who has ever picked up a golf club understands the importance of a strong mental game; especially those who
play competitively! Practicing the mental game should be just as important as hitting range balls, playing 18 holes or
heading to the gym. However, most aspiring golfers neglect this important piece of the puzzle. There are lots of great
mental game resources out there available to you. The key is finding something that works for you and sticking with it.
Avoid switching from one method to the next.
Here are some thoughts to get you started:
1. Check out the section dedicated to mental preparation at Junior
Golf Scoreboard:
http://www.juniorgolfscoreboard.com/ss_mental_game.asp
2. The First Tee consultants Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson are two
of the top ranked coaches in the world and have written several
great books that blend mental and physical preparation. Purchase
The Game Before the Game, Every Shot Must Have a Purpose and
other great titles here: http://www.vision54.com/html/books.html
3. Connect with a local sports psychologist in your area. See whether they offer group or individual sessions.
Ideally the sports psychologist should have experience working with elite level golfers.
Physical Preparation
The old perception that golfers are not athletes is a thing of the past. The modern college player carefully prepares their
body for peak performance during competition. Start building a sound base of strength, flexibility, mobility, agility and
balance at a young age. Make physical fitness a regular part of your daily practice routine.
Physical Fitness Resource:
The best place to start is by visiting the Titleist Performance Institute website: www.mytpi.com. The websites contains
drills, exercises, articles and videos all dedicated to golf specific physical fitness.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is critical to an athlete’s performance under the stress of competition. College golfers are paying more
attention than ever to the foods they use to fuel their bodies. Do your homework and become an expert on what you
eat and how it makes you feel. Proper nutrition isn’t always fun, but it will give you the energy you need to compete at
your best on college golf’s grueling 36-hole tournament days. A great habit is to keep a food journal of what you eat,
how much you eat and how it makes you feel. Start by doing your research online, but make sure the information is
from credible sources who have experience working with golfers. A sample meal-plan for competitive golfers has been
included in the resources section of this guide.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 20
Section 3
The Recruiting Process:
Positioning Yourself to Play
College Golf
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 21
College Golf Recruiting Checklist
Use this checklist to track your progress through the college golf recruiting process. A blank copy has been provided in
the resources section of this guide.
Determine your goals
Maintain a strong academic record
Play as many junior golf events as possible
Educate yourself on the recruiting process
Learn about NCAA recruiting rules
Have someone knowledgeable evaluate your game
Build and maintain your junior golf resume
Practice like a college golfer
Research schools you may want to contact
Write a strong introduction letter
Make a swing video
Contact at least 50–75 schools
Schedule and take unofficial visits
Continuously communicate with coaches
Ask lots of questions
Find the best option for you
Make a decision
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 22
College Golf Preparation Timeline
NCAA Division II and Division III Teams, NAIA and NJCAA
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Examples of Teams in This Category: Daytona State College, Montreat College, Midland University, Sandhills
Community College, Tyler Junior College, Dalton State College, etc. Check out the www.golfstat.com rankings to view
teams in this category.
Tournaments: Regional and Local Junior Golf Tours, State Golf Association Events, Independent Junior Golf
Tournaments, City and Local Championships, etc.
Scores (Women & Men): See “What does it take to play college golf” document
Recruiting sweet spot: Sophomore year graduation thru senior year graduation. The recruiting timeline is a bit more
open and extended for these types of golf programs. Opportunities will be available through the summer of a student’s
senior year. However, this doesn’t mean you can or should wait to pursue these opportunities. Students who begin this
process earlier will have more playing opportunities, more academic and athletic scholarships available, and will generally
have less stress to deal with.
RECRUITING TIMELINE
Prior to High School
Students may or may not have had have experience playing tournament golf. Ideally, it would be best for students to
have had some experience playing local and state level tournaments, but it’s not a requirement.
Students should be regularly practicing and playing golf to prepare for individual junior tournaments and high school
golf.
Freshman Year
If they haven’t already done so, students should begin playing competitive golf. This
should take the form of individual junior tournaments throughout the year and high
school golf during the school year to stay competitive. The most important thing is that
students begin gaining experience playing competitive golf and learning how it differs
from recreational golf. Local junior golf tours are great places to start playing
competitive junior golf.
Students should keep track of their tournament and begin to develop their junior golf
resume by recording their tournament finishes (see example).
Students should develop a personal resume that keeps track of their academic results
and extra-curricular involvement (see example).
Students and parents should begin reading about important NCAA rules and
regulations that apply to the college golf recruiting process.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be
involved in extracurricular activities outside of golf.
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Graduation
Recruiting
Sweet Spot
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 23
Sophomore Year
Students should begin adding top local and state events to their competitive golf schedules as soon as possible. High
school varsity golf is also a good thing to play in order to stay competitive throughout the year.
Students and parents should continue educating themselves on important NCAA rules and regulations that apply to
the college golf recruiting process.
Students should be regularly updating their junior golf and academic resumes. Students should be building their
junior golf resumes to gain entry into a greater number of state, regional and national events. These events may
come in the form of a tour such as the AJGA, IJGA, FCWT or independent events.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be involved in extracurricular
activities outside of golf.
Towards the end of the sophomore year, students should begin to research colleges that they may be interested in
attending. Students should create a list of 50–75 schools they may be interested in attending (refer to Tips for
Researching College Golf Programs).
Junior Year
If the student has not already done so, the beginning of the junior year is the time to begin researching colleges that
they may be interested in attending. Students should create a list of 50–75 schools they may be interested in
attending (refer to Tips for Researching College Golf Programs).
Ideally, students should now be playing a full schedule of top local, and state events. If possible, students should look
to add multiple regional and national events to the schedule as well. Students should continue playing high school
golf to stay sharp and competitive throughout the year. Students looking to play at this level will likely need to begin
posting some strong finishes in these events. Students hoping to secure a scholarship may need to have several
strong finishes.
Students should be regularly updating their junior golf and academic resumes.
If possible, students should look to create a swing video to post online or send to coaches.
Students should have contacted all the schools they are interested in attending by this time.
Students should be trying to coordinate “unofficial” campus visits with college coaches. Students can schedule visits
to schools close to home anytime or visit schools farther away as they travel to tournaments and/or family
vacations.
Students should be keeping college coaches updated with their recent results and upcoming events.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be involved in extracurricular
activities outside of golf.
College Coach Tip
Players should treat every round as if a college coach is following, regardless of
whether they are watching or not.
College coaches will be looking to see how you prepare for the round, your pre-shot
routine, your course-management, how you react to good and bad shots, how you
bounce back from bad holes, how you follow up good holes, how you treat your
parents and how you interact with your playing partners.
All of this matters just as much as your score at the end of the day. These details
will help coaches make judgments on whether or not players will make a successful
transition into college, college golf and living with greater independence.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 24
Senior Year
Many students will already be in communication with college coaches and looking to make verbal commitments by
this time.
Students should now be playing a strong schedule of top local and state events, as well as regional and national
events if possible. Students should also look to incorporate a few amateur level competitions in to their tournament
schedule if possible. These events will help show coaches that you are preparing for college length courses and
deeper fields. Students should continue playing high school golf to stay sharp and competitive throughout the year.
Students looking to play at this level will likely need to begin posting some strong finishes in tournaments.
Students should be narrowing down their list of potential schools to the most interested and realistic choices.
Students should now be communicating regularly with college coaches and keeping them updated with recent
results, upcoming events, what you are learning and how you are improving throughout this process.
Students who receive scholarship offers may want or be asked/encouraged to make a verbal commitment to a
school sometime during this year.
During this time, students will be applying to the school(s) of their choice.
Students and their parents should be completing all the necessary steps for the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly
known as the NCAA Clearinghouse).
Students who have made a verbal commitment will be signing their National Letter of Intent in the fall of their senior
year. There is also an open signing period in the spring for students who have not made a verbal commitment prior
to the “early signing period deadline.”
Students may look to take an “official” visit to a campus during their senior year.
Students should be regularly updating their junior golf resumes for future amateur competitions.
Students should be regularly updating the personal/academic resume to apply for academic scholarship
opportunities.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be taking leadership roles in
extracurricular activities outside of golf.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 25
College Golf Preparation Timeline
NCAA Division I (Teams Ranked outside the Top 50)
as well as Elite DII and DIII Teams
GENERAL INFORMATION
Examples of Teams in This Category: Division I - University of North Florida, UNC Charlotte, Houston, East
Carolina, Kent State, Liberty, Kansas State, Middle Tennessee State, Georgetown, Texas Tech, Maryland. Division II –
Nova Southeastern, Lynn, USC Aiken, Barry, Chico State, CSU Monterey Bay, Flagler, Florida Southern. Division III –
Redlands, Methodist, Oglethorpe, Illinois Wesleyan, Guilford, LaGrange. Check out the www.golfstat.com rankings to
view more teams in this category.
Tournaments: USGA, AJGA, Regional Junior Golf Tours, State Golf Association Events, Independent Junior Golf
Tournaments, etc.
Scores (Women & Men): See “What does it take to play college golf” document
Recruiting sweet spot: January 1
st
of sophomore year thru junior year graduation. The time between January 1
st
of a
student’s sophomore year and a student’s junior year graduation is generally accepted as the most important time for
recruits to be playing their best golf.
RECRUITING TIMELINE
Prior to High School
Students should have some experience playing local and state level tournaments. Examples of these are local tours,
state golf association tournaments and championships, city championships, etc. Students should be posting some
strong finishes in these events.
Students should keep track of their tournament and begin to develop their junior golf
resume by recording their tournament finishes (see example).
Freshman Year
Students should begin adding state and regional events to their competitive golf schedules
in addition to playing high school golf. Students should be posting top finishes in local
events and have 1 or 2 solid showings at the state or regional levels.
Students should be updating their junior golf resumes with their latest results.
Students should be building their junior golf resumes to gain entry into a greater number of
regional and national events. These events may come in the form of a tour such as the AJGA, IJGA, FCWT or in
stand-alone events.
Students should develop a personal resume that keeps track of their academic results and extra-curricular
involvement (see example).
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Graduation
Recruiting
Sweet Spot
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 26
Students and parents should begin reading about important NCAA rules and regulations that apply to the college
golf recruiting process.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be involved in extracurricular
activities outside of golf.
Sophomore Year
By this time students should be playing a strong schedule of top local and state events, in addition to multiple
regional and national events. Students should be posting strong finishes in a few of these events. High school varsity
golf is also a good thing to play in order to stay competitive throughout the year.
Students should begin to research colleges that are of interest. Students should create a list of 50–75 schools they
may be interested in attending (refer to Tips for Researching College Golf Programs).
Students and parents should continue educating themselves on important NCAA rules and regulations that apply to
the college golf recruiting process.
Students should be regularly updating their junior golf and academic resumes.
If possible, students should look to create a swing video to post online or send to coaches.
Students should begin contacting the schools they are interested in and should be keeping college coaches updated
with their recent results and upcoming events.
Students should try to coordinate “unofficial” campus visits with college coaches. Students can visit schools close to
home anytime or visit schools farther away as they travel to tournaments and/or family vacations.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be involved in extracurricular
activities outside of golf.
Junior Year
Many students will be receiving scholarship offers and be making verbal commitments throughout their junior year
of high school.
Students should now be playing a strong schedule of state, regional and national events in addition to high school
varsity golf. Students looking to play at this level will likely need to post a number strong finishes in these events.
Students hoping to secure a large scholarship may need win one or more events or have several
top 5 and top 10 finishes.
Students should have already contacted the schools they are interested in by this time. Students should now be
communicating regularly with college coaches and keeping them updated with recent results, upcoming events, what
you are learning and how you are improving throughout this process.
College Coach Tip
Players should treat every round as if a college coach is following, regardless of
whether they are watching or not.
College coaches will be looking to see how you prepare for the round, your pre-shot
routine, your course-management, how you react to good and bad shots, how you
bounce back from bad holes, how you follow up good holes, how you treat your
parents and how you interact with your playing partners.
All of this matters just as much as your score at the end of the day. These details
will help coaches make judgments on whether or not players will make a successful
transition into college, college golf and living with greater independence.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 27
Students should be regularly updating their junior golf and academic resumes.
Students should be trying to coordinate “unofficial” campus visits with college coaches. Students can visit schools
close to home anytime or visit schools farther away as they travel to tournaments or family vacations.
Students should be narrowing down the list of schools they may be interested in attending to their top 5 or 6
choices.
Students who receive scholarship offers may want or be asked/encouraged to make a verbal commitment to a
school sometime during this year.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be taking leadership roles in
extracurricular activities outside of golf.
Senior Year
By this time a majority of roster spots and scholarship dollars will have been given out to students who have made
verbal commitments.
At this point, students should look to begin mixing in amateur
level competitions to their junior events. These competitions
will help students prepare for college length courses and
stronger fields. It would also be beneficial to play in any major
national junior tournaments the student can gain entry into, such
as the US Junior, AJGA majors and other stand-alone events
such as the Junior Invitational.
During this time, students will be applying to the school(s) of
their choice.
Students and their parents should be completing all the
necessary steps for the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly
known as the NCAA Clearinghouse).
Students who have made a verbal commitment will be signing their National Letter of Intent in the fall of their senior
year. There is also an open signing period in the spring for students who have not made a verbal commitment prior
to the “early signing period deadline.”
Students may look to take an “official” visit to a campus during their senior year.
Students should be regularly updating their junior golf resumes for future amateur competitions.
Students should be regularly updating the personal/academic resume to apply for academic scholarship
opportunities.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be taking leadership roles in
extracurricular activities outside of golf.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 28
College Golf Preparation Timeline
Top Ranked NCAA Division I Teams
GENERAL INFORMATION
Examples of Top Ranked Golf Programs: Oklahoma State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Duke,
UNC, Wake Forest, USC, UCLA, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Michigan, etc. Check out the
www.golfstat.com rankings to view teams in this category.
Tournaments: USGA, AJGA, State Golf Association Championships, Top ranked independent events, etc.
Scores (Women & Men): See “What does it take to play college golf” document
Recruiting Sweet Spot: January 1 of freshman year thru December 31
st
of junior year. The time between January 1
st
of a student’s freshman year and December 31
st
of a student’s junior year is generally accepted as the most important
time for recruits to be playing their best golf.
RECRUITING TIMELINE
Prior to High School
Students should have considerable experience playing local and state level tournaments such as state golf association
championships, AJGA Junior All-Star events, as well as other regional tours and stand-alone events. Students should
be posting top finishes in these events.
Students should begin to develop their junior golf resume by recording their tournament finishes (see example).
Freshman Year
Students should be playing a strong schedule of state and regional events in addition to high school varsity golf.
Students should be consistently posting top finishes in these events.
Students should begin to play in national events. These events may come in the form of a tour such as the AJGA,
IJGA, FCWT or in stand-alone events.
Students should develop a personal resume that keeps track of their academic results and extra-curricular
involvement (see example).
Students should begin to research colleges that they may be interested in attending. Students should create a list of
50-75 schools they may be interested in attending (refer to Tips for Researching College Golf Programs).
Students and parents should make themselves aware of important NCAA rules and regulations that apply to the
college golf recruiting process.
Students should be updating their junior golf resumes with their latest results.
Students should create a swing video to post online or send to coaches if available.
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Graduation
Recruiting
Sweet Spot
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 29
Students should contact the schools they are interested by sending an introductory email (see example), academic
and golf resumes, as well as their upcoming tournament schedule and other pertinent information.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be involved in extracurricular
activities outside of golf.
Sophomore Year
Students should continue playing a strong schedule of state, regional and
national events in addition to high school varsity golf. Students should be
posting top finishes in these events. Students hoping to secure a large
scholarship at a major university will likely need at least one win and several
top 5 or top 10 finishes. (US Junior, AJGA majors and other events, top
ranked stand-alone junior events)
Students should have already contacted the schools they are interested in and
should now be keeping college coaches updated with their recent results and
upcoming events.
Students and parents should continue educating themselves on important NCAA rules and regulations that apply to
the college golf recruiting process.
Students should be regularly updating their junior golf and academic resumes.
If they haven’t already done so, students should create a swing video to post online or send to coaches.
Sophomore Year (continued)
Students should be trying to coordinate “unofficial” campus visits with college coaches. Students can visit schools
close to home anytime or visit schools farther away as they travel to tournaments and/or family vacations.
Students should be narrowing down the list of schools they may be interested in attending to their top 5 or 10
choices.
Many elite junior golfers looking to attend a top division I school are making verbal commitments during their
sophomore years.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be involved in extracurricular
activities outside of golf.
College Coach Tip
Players should treat every round as if a college coach is following, regardless of whether
they are watching or not.
College coaches will be looking to see how you prepare for the round, your pre-shot routine,
your course-management, how you react to good and bad shots, how you bounce back from
bad holes, how you follow up good holes, how you treat your parents and how you interact
with your playing partners.
All of this matters just as much as your score at the end of the day. These details will help
coaches make judgments on whether or not players will make a successful transition into
college, college golf and living with greater independence.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 30
Junior Year
Almost all top ranked teams will have filled their rosters and distributed scholarships dollars by the middle/end of
the recruit’s junior year. Students looking to receive a spot on the team and/or scholarship money will most likely
need to make a verbal commitment by this time.
Students should continue playing a strong schedule of state, regional and national events in addition to high school
varsity golf. Students should be posting top finishes in these events. Students hoping to secure a large scholarship at
a major university will likely need at least one win and several top 5 or top 10 finishes. (US Junior, AJGA majors and
other events, top ranked stand-alone junior events) Students may also want to test the waters playing in 1 or 2
amateur events. These tournaments will be played on college length courses and will feature stronger fields. This is a
great way to begin measuring your game and seeing what areas you need to improve in.
Students should have already contacted the schools they are interested in and should now be keeping college
coaches updated with their recent results and upcoming events.
Students should be regularly updating their junior golf resumes for future amateur competitions.
Students should be regularly updating the personal/academic resume to apply for academic scholarship opportunities.
Students should be trying to coordinate “unofficial” campus visits with college coaches. Students can visit schools close to
home anytime or visit schools farther away as they travel to tournaments or family vacations.
Students should be narrowing down the list of schools they may be interested in attending to their top 2 or 3 choices.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic performance and should be taking leadership roles in
extracurricular activities outside of golf.
Senior Year
By this time nearly 100% of roster spots and scholarship dollars will have been given out to students who have made
verbal commitments to elite golf programs.
At this point, students should be playing in a majority of amateur level competitions. These competitions will help
students prepare for college length courses and stronger fields. It would also be beneficial to play in major national
junior tournaments such as the US Junior, AJGA majors and other stand-alone events such as the Junior Invitational.
Students will be applying to the school of their choice.
Students and their parents should be completing all the necessary steps for the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly
known as the NCAA Clearinghouse).
Students who have made a verbal commitment will be
signing their National Letter of Intent in the fall of their
senior year.
Students may look to take an “official” visit to a
campus during their senior year.
Students should be regularly updating their junior golf
and academic resumes.
Students should be demonstrating a strong academic
performance and should be taking leadership roles in
extracurricular activities outside of golf.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 31
Tips for Researching College Golf Programs
Doing your homework in the college recruiting process can make a huge difference in whether or not you receive a
college golf scholarship and a chance to play competitive golf at the next level. Keep these items in mind as you search
for schools you might be interested in.
1. Expand your horizons
Some students want to stay in state or close to home for college and that’s okay; but there are over 2,000 men’s
and women’s golf teams across the country looking for student athletes. Where do you want to spend the next 4
years of your life…New York, California, Texas, South Dakota,
Colorado or Louisiana? The choice can be yours!
2. Think about the school
Have you considered what type of school you want to attend?
a. School size: huge, big, medium, small, or really small? Larger
schools usually have more competitive golf programs that will
be tougher to make.
b. Major: does the school have the course of study or major
that you are interested in? Will the athletic department allow
you to enroll in this major and play golf?
c. Cost: affordable, slightly expensive, or really expensive? How beneficial will a degree from this college or
university be as you search for a career? Will you be required to take on a loan to help pay for school?
d. Scholarships: what are the odds you will receive academic or athletic scholarship money?
e. Climate: do you mind the cold, do you enjoy 4 seasons, or would you rather be warm all the time?
f. School Type: Public vs. private?
3. Contact 50–75 schools
This may sound like a lot at first, but only the very best players are able to contact a small number of schools and
generate the necessary communication and interest. Typically, recruits only receive a response from 20–25% of
coaches they contact and not all of these responses are realistic or positive. Remember to contact schools at
various levels. You never know what is going to happen to your golf game in the future. You may start playing your
best golf ever and have a whole new set of opportunities open up! Students that cast a wider net have more options
and more leverage in scholarship discussions. Need more reasons why you should contact a lot of schools?
Here are some!
a. Having multiple schools interested in you can be a major confidence
boost!
b. Opportunity to practice phone calls, playing in front of coaches and
going on visits with schools lower on your priority list, so you nail the
ones you are really interested in!
c. Helps create a solid group of options in case your first choice doesn’t
work out.
4. Use an online research tool
The Ping College Golf Guide found at www.collegegolf.com is a great tool for researching colleges and universities
with golf programs. This program allows you to filter schools by divisions, academics, majors, conferences, location,
university enrollment, etc. There is a cost associated to this program, but it is well worth the investment in the long
run! Email Ryan Wilson (rwils[email protected]) at The First Tee home office if cost prohibits you from utilizing
this service.
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Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the African American community as well as the entire
nation. The Higher Education Act of 1965, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was
established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans.”
HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. These institutions train
young people who go on to serve domestically and internationally in professions as entrepreneurs and in the public and
private sectors. Over the course of history, HBCU schools have continuously developed alumni who have gone on to
have highly successful careers in business, health care, politics, athletics and more.
Nearly 50 HBCU schools around the country have collegiate golf programs and several of these schools have highly
competitive golf programs. HBCU golf programs compete at all different levels of competition, from NCAA Division I to
Junior College (NJCAA). HBCU schools are great options for students who want to receive a quality education while
continuing to hone their skills playing competitive golf.
Golf Scholarships: many HBCU schools offer fully funded golf programs. Women’s teams may have up to 6 full
scholarships available and men’s teams may have up to 4.5 full scholarships available.
Examples of HBCU Schools: Edward Waters College, Fisk University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Lincoln
University, Prairie View A&M University, Tennessee State University, Morehouse College and more.
CLICK HERE for a complete listing of HBCU schools by state and additional information (including scholarships and
internships).
Resource: The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities - U.S. Department of Education
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Special Circumstances and Questions
This section of the College Golf Road Map features insight pulled from experts on the college golf preparation and recruiting
process. This information is readily available to the public online. Web addresses for these resources have been included. The First
Tee does not take credit for any information included in this section of the College Golf Road Map.
What if I am behind in the process?
The following information was pulled from recruit.pkbgt.org and rednumbersgolf.com.
Once you decide that you want to play college golf, you need to begin setting some goals and laying out a game plan for
the college recruiting process. For starters, you must be realistic about your abilities and what level you can play at. The
higher above your current level that you contact, the tougher it will be to get the coaches to reply to your emails and
come out to watch you play. You may be a Division 1 caliber player but don’t limit your communication to only Division
1 coaches. It helps to simply get some communication going with coaches so look across the board at all schools.
If you’re not one of the top 5 players in your recruiting class in your state then the process can quickly pass you by. You
must be the one recruiting the coaches and not waiting for them to recruit you. It takes more than sending out some
emails and waiting for responses. You must keep the coaches posted on your results and your upcoming schedule. Make
a calendar for when you email each coach and when you need to follow up with them. Then plan out some times to
make calls to coaches. It can be nerve racking to call a coach but this will be a huge step for players to take the initiative
to call them on their own. Depending on your grad year coaches may not be able to reply to emails or return calls but
continue doing all that you can to keep them updated.
Try to schedule some visits. If you can’t get in touch with a coach but plan to visit the school anyways then take
advantage of being on campus. Ask admissions if you can tour the golf facilities. You may get lucky and the coach is in
their office and you can introduce yourself. Take some hard copies of your resume to give to the coach or leave for
them. This shows you have serious interest in the school.
Always keep in mind that you must work as hard at the recruiting process as you do your game. Don’t expect it to just
happen for you, make it happen for yourself. Keep in mind the following key points:
As a rising senior, it is not too late to be recruited.
Many programs sign players during the spring signing period (April–August).
Do not assume that everyone already knows where they are going to college.
Coaches always have a place on their rosters for good players (and students).
Some players are “late bloomers.”
If you are getting ready to start your senior year in high school and have not yet been recruited, do not worry. Keep
working hard on your game and your grades. If necessary, retake the SAT or ACT to help your college candidacy. It is
also important to do your research first so that you can target schools that are potential good fits for you. Consider
academic requirements, scores/resumes of current players, tournament schedules, facilities, geographical location, and
cost when you write to schools.
Junior golf has become a 12-month sport with numerous top tours and stand-alone tournaments available to players
during the school year. Continue to compete and post scores. Coaches are always paying attention to tournament
results and will surely be interested in players who are winning and shooting low scores.
Remember, it is not too late to be recruited even if you are a rising senior. Good luck!
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What if I have some bad/really bad scores on my resume?
The following information was pulled from recruit.pkbgt.org and rednumbersgolf.com.
After forwarding your initial introductory email, resume, and swing video to college coaches, you’ll want to forward
periodic updates of your tournament results to keep the coaches well informed on your results. Often times the
question arises, “Should I email a coach after a poor performance?” Certainly, it’s understandable that you want to
highlight your best achievements, both on and off the golf course, to garner a coach’s interest, and it’s important to
communicate these achievements throughout the recruiting process; however, it’s never a good idea to try to hide from
a poor performance along the way.
First, a coach is going to look at many factors when determining your potential as a recruit and will certainly look at
your entire body of work when it comes to tournament results. College coaches also realize every player will have off
days and/or tournaments. Communicating all your results to a coach demonstrates that you’re confident in your abilities
and are taking responsibility for both good and bad rounds. It also allows you to communicate to a coach what you
specifically learned from the competitive experience and that you are a student of
your respective game. Every coach wants a player to learn from each competitive
experience and have the emotional stability to integrate these “lessons learned”
into his or her subsequent practice sessions and tournaments.
Emailing coaches after an “off” tournament also differentiates you from the vast
majority of players who will only email a coach when they play well. With the
Internet, coaches can access a player’s results anyway and will typically have the
recruit’s full playing schedule on file. Make it a habit to provide an update on all
your results. Simply let the coach know your scores, what you did well, what you
learned, and that you’re looking forward to demonstrating your abilities at your
next event (list the specific event). You can also list specific practice drills you plan to incorporate into your subsequent
practice sessions—things you’ll work on with your swing instructor and where you need to prepare more in a certain
area of your game. Never list any excuses for your score, but only the facts and what you learned.
Taking ownership of all your results will demonstrate a proactive attitude from you and shows coaches that you’re
taking a comprehensive and mature approach in learning from your experiences. Communicating your tough
performances also provides you a great opportunity to show the coach you can bounce back from a rough round or
tournament. Showing your resilience may be just what the coach is looking for in his next recruit. Handle the
communication with coaches in a “cards face up” approach and remain proactive in updating coaches.
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What role do parents play in the college golf recruiting process?
The following information was pulled from recruit.pkbgt.org and rednumbersgolf.com.
While this can be a very sensitive subject with many parents, it is an extremely vital part of the recruiting process. As
many parents know, there isn’t a right or wrong way to parent a child. Every child learns differently, reacts differently
and has a different path to reaching their goals. There are, however, a few things from a junior golf and college recruiting
standpoint that can make a major difference in the success and enjoyment of the experience. Below are just a few tips to
keep in mind as you strive to find the right balance between supporting and being overbearing.
Continue to ask the junior golfer what they want out of their golf: While junior golfers are still young and need
lots of guidance, always make sure it is about what they want out of golf and not what you want
Remind them of their decision to pursue a college golf scholarship: Let them know you are only addressing the
issue because they said it was their goal and you want to help them achieve it
Help them set goals: Write down specific goals with them so that you can always go back and show them the
commitment level they agreed upon
Teach them independence and time management: This is a major response from college coaches on what they
look for with a player. While it is very difficult to sit back and watch them make mistakes, try to allow the
players to be more independent and learn time management skills
Let them do the work for college recruiting: Remind them of what needs to be done but try not to do too
much of it for them. Coaches will know when they come on visits or talk over the phone if they aren’t the ones
emailing and doing the work.
Quotes from college coaches
“As much as possible, let the juniors make decisions on how much they want to play and where. A junior
golfer that is pushed too much can easily be counterproductive. It will be more fun for them if they are
enjoying it…and they will likely stick with the game longer.” ~ Division 1 Women’s Coach
“We want players who have a voice. Those who have more maturity and less reliance on parents will have an
easier time adjusting to college.” ~ Division 1 Women’s Coach
“Parents need to realize that not every kid is going to be a superstar, in fact, most often, their child will excel
when they play a supportive role behind the scenes.” ~ Division 1 Women’s Assistant Coach
What is a parent’s role during junior tournaments?
The following information was pulled from recruit.pkbgt.org and rednumbersgolf.com.
A few red flags that coaches are looking for with parent behavior include:
Hovering while the player is warming up or during post round practice
Getting upset over bad shots or bad rounds
Walking away while other players in the group are still hitting
Conversing too much with your child on the golf course
Over-excitement
A few positive behaviors that coaches like to see:
Encouragement of the other players in the group
Pat on the back after a bad hole/bad round
Remaining neutral throughout the round
Providing your child with snacks and water
Keeping your distance as they warm up and practice
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Quotes from college coaches
“I watch parents as much as recruits to see how they interact and treat each other. I also watch to see how
involved they are going to be in everything the recruit is doing. I don’t need a parent telling me how to coach
their son or daughter.” ~ Division 1 Women’s Coach
“I watch parent behavior at tournaments and pay special attention to how involved they are at a visit. A parent
that reacts negatively to how their son/daughter is playing and the parent that does all the talking during an
interview is not helping their child’s chances of being successful in my eyes.” ~ Division 1 Women’s Coach
“Their relationship is very important. If a parent is doing all the coaching and hovers all the time, then that is a
huge red flag to the coach.” ~ Division 1 Men’s Coach
Parents should keep in mind that you are under the radar as much as your child is while at tournaments. Some coaches
will look past certain parent behaviors but some behaviors may cost your child an opportunity to play in college. College
teams are very tight knit and coaches know that parent involvement may continue into their child’s college career. The
coaches want to know they are getting recruits with parents who will allow them to do their job and not cause
unnecessary stress on their players.
One of the first experiences a coach will have when recruiting a player is the interaction that they see between a parent
and child at a junior golf tournament. Below are a few tips on ways to insure your role at a tournament is a positive one
for both your child and a college coach.
TIPS
Don’t hover when they are warming up
Try not to hover over your child while she or he is warming up to play. It is ok to watch them hit balls and to be
there to assist them if they need it but don’t overdo it. It’s a red flag to a coach if a parent dictates everything
their son or daughter does during their warm up. Let them have space to warm up and get ready on their own.
Help them with snacks and any extra gear but allow them to take care of their own stuff
As a player gets older and more mature, allow them to take care of their own stuff as much as possible. Carry
their umbrella, snacks or extra gear but make sure you teach them some responsible for keeping up with what
they will need on the course. In college, a coach will help them in a similar way but they are going to expect the
player to take care of the necessities on their own.
Limit any conversation on the course
Try to limit the conversation with your child on the course. From a rules standpoint this eliminates any question
about giving advice, but also from a college coach standpoint this keeps them from questioning that as well. An
encouraging comment or a positive pat on the back is always welcomed!
Never show emotions on bad shots—players see everything
This is always a tough one for parents. It’s extremely difficult to watch your child struggle and make mistakes on
the golf course that you say to yourself “what was she thinking.” But do your best to not show your emotions.
You may not think they do, but your reactions will greatly influence your child’s experience on the course. When
asked, players always attest that they see everything their parents do while they are playing and take it to mean
much more than you may realize. Your child isn’t purposely trying to make those mistakes and wants to play their
best, so just always keep that in mind when you catch yourself getting upset or reacting to a poor decision or bad
shot. The last thing a parent should do is make the situation more difficult on a player.
Encourage the players to eat every 3–4 holes
You can’t force your child to eat and many times they will refuse to take the food simply because you are the
one trying to encourage them to eat. However, try your best to remind the players of the importance of good
nutrition on the golf course. Just do what you can to encourage them to eat every few holes. If they won’t take
the food then don’t force it.
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Always be positive
No matter what happens, at the end of the day, you must keep a positive attitude. Always remember that it is
just a game and your child is doing their best to perform and improve.
Quotes from college coaches
“I watch parent behavior at tournaments and pay special attention to how involved they are at a visit. A parent
that reacts negatively to how their son/daughter is playing and the parent that does all the talking during an
interview is not helping their child’s chances of being successful in my eyes.” ~ Division 1 Women’s Coach
“Their relationship is very important. If a parent is doing all the coaching, hovers all the time, then that is a
huge red flag to the coach.” ~ Division 1 Men’s Coach
What is a parent’s role during campus visits?
The following information was pulled from recruit.pkbgt.org and rednumbersgolf.com.
The first on-campus meeting with a college coach can make or break their decision to continue recruiting a player. In
many cases, the behavior of a parent can have a serious impact on which direction the recruiting process will go from
there. Below are a few tips for parents to be aware of when they are on visits with their son or daughter.
Allow your junior golfer to do all the talking
I know this may be difficult when you have a junior golfer who is quiet or shy but they need to do the majority
of the talking. Meeting with a college coach can be a very nerve racking experience for many young athletes.
Help them prepare ahead of time with some questions to ask the coach as well as some questions the coach
may ask in return. Have them interview with an adult who they aren’t very familiar with as a test run.
Never speak for or answer for your junior golfer
Every college coach will tell you that a red flag is a player who turns to their parents every time a question is
asked. They want players who can speak for themselves and know what they want out of their college
experience. Make sure you never answer for them. It may be difficult to bite your tongue but do what you can
to let them answer all of the questions the way they want to.
Ask if the coach would like for you to stay for the interview
Some coaches may want to only talk with the junior golfer during the interview portion. Just ask the coach if
they want the parents there as well or not. Try to allow some time during the visit where the player and coach
can spend some one-on-one time if possible.
Be humble
Always be humble and appreciative of the time the coach is spending with you. Do your best not to brag or
boast about your child too much. They know the type of player they are recruiting and what potential they have.
As parents, your job is to think your child is amazing, but make sure you keep it humble and understated during
the visit. Too much may be a turnoff to a coach who feels the parents’ expectations are too high and unrealistic.
Take a backseat
Show the coach you are willing to let your child handle things on their own. They do want to hear from you as
parents and get to know you as well, but it is all about your child taking control on visits. They need to see that
the player can handle themselves away from parents and has the independence and maturity to play at the next
level. If the coach feels the parents will have a hard time letting them coach, it will signal red flags.
Quotes from college coaches
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“I recruit players not parents. On a visit I want to hear the player speak and the parent listen and encourage
their child. Too much of an overbearing parents is a huge turnoff for me when recruiting. I have stopped
recruiting players because of their parents.” ~ Division 2 Men’s and Women’s Coach
What is a parent’s role during the college decision making process?
The following information was pulled from recruit.pkbgt.org and rednumbersgolf.com.
Obviously the parent’s will have a major influence on their child’s college decision, but trying to help your child make the
right decision for themselves can be a difficult task. Below are a few tips to help parents guide their child through the
decision making process.
Review all of the positives and negatives for each school
Help your child create a positives and negatives list for each school as they
research, take visits, and communicate with coaches. Your role as a parent
is to insure they put emphasis on the important factors within each of
these lists and don’t base their decision on the wrong factors. Help them
to understand what each factor will mean for their college experience and
for their future.
Be honest with your junior golfer about the financial aspect
This can be a very sensitive subject for many families but do what you can
to be honest with your child about the financial aspect of their decision. Many times a player doesn’t understand
the difference between the out of pocket costs of different scholarship offers. Without overwhelming them, be
honest about the impact each decision may have from a financial perspective. The ultimate goal is to find the
right fit and for the player to be happy but for many families the financial aspect will have a major impact on the
final decision.
Be realistic
This is always a tough part of the decision because every parent and player has high hopes for where their game
can get once they get to college. Sometimes the number one recruit won’t make the traveling line-up and the
last recruit becomes the strongest player on the team. Nobody can predict what may happen once a player gets
to college. Sometimes a player may benefit from being a bit of an underdog, and others may thrive more from
being the best player. But be realistic about the chance that your child has to play. Keep in mind a player’s
scoring average will normally go up at least 2–3 strokes once they first get to college because the courses are
tougher and the stakes are higher, so remember that when comparing to college scores. Sitting out the entire
freshman year can really set a player behind both with confidence and development. Try to help your child not
get wrapped up in the glitz and glamor of what the school and program offers and realistically consider their
chances of playing and making an impact on the team.
Remind them of what their decision means for their future
The decision to play (or not play) college golf is one that will greatly affect a young person’s life. Being a college
athlete, at any level, requires a tremendous amount of time, dedication and commitment, but the benefits for
their future are unmeasurable. Remind your child of what it will mean to be a college student-athlete and how
that will affect their college experience in relation to being a non-athlete. Be honest with them about perks, but
also the sacrifices that a student-athlete must make.
Quotes from college coaches
“Also, the parents and students make decisions on how much scholarship is offered versus the right fit and
where the student will be happy and improve.” ~ Division 1 Women’s Coach
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What do I need to know about the NCAA and where do I go for
help?
The following information was pulled from recruit.pkbgt.org and rednumbersgolf.com.
Understanding NCAA recruiting and eligibility guidelines can seem like a scary undertaking, but don’t let it intimidate
you. The NCAA has outstanding online resources and you can always pick up the phone and call a representative who
will be more than willing to answer your questions.
NCAA Golf Recruiting Rules
Understanding the recruiting guidelines for golf can give you a competitive advantage over those who don’t take the
time to learn them. It can also help you spot a coach who may be intentionally breaking recruiting rules. To read the
latest guidelines, visit www.ncaa.org and look for information about recruiting.
NCAA Eligibility
Every year there are sad stories about young men and women who are recruited to play golf in college, but miss out on
the opportunity to play because of ineligibility. Don’t let this happen to you! Learn the eligibility requirements early that
pertain to your goals. This will help you prepare to take all the necessary steps in order to be eligible when you graduate
high school. Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center at: http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/eligibility-center
Contacting the NCAA
National Office
The National Collegiate Athletic Association
700 W. Washington Street
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222
Phone: (317) 917-6222
Fax: (317) 917-6888
Eligibility Center
For students and parents with eligibility questions:
NCAA Eligibility Center
(877) 262-1492 (toll free)
(317) 223-0700
Transcript/Document Mailing Address:
NCAA Eligibility Center
Certification Processing
P.O. Box 7136
Indianapolis, IN 46207
Overnight/Express Mailing Address:
NCAA Eligibility Center
Certification Processing
1802 Alonzo Watford Sr. Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Customer service hours:
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday.
Toll-free phone # (U.S. callers) (877) 262-1492
Phone # (international callers) (317) 917-6222
NAIA and NJCAA schools have different recruiting guidelines than NCAA schools. Visit their websites to learn more
about what they are.
NAIA www.naia.org
NJCAA www.njcaa.org
The First Tee --- 40
Section 4
Making Your Decision
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Determining the Right Fit
There is no exact formula for making your decision on where you want to play college golf. However, you can increase
your odds of making the “right decision” by doing your homework and asking all the right questions. The most
important part is thinking about what you want to get out of the college golf experience. Consider the following items as
you research schools and go through the college golf recruiting process:
Personal Goals
Remember to think about what is important to YOU! It’s important to ask your parents for advice, but ultimately you
are responsible for making the decision. You are deciding the place and the people you are going to spend the next 4
years of your life with. What do you want to get out of it … a great education, better golf scores, friends, memories? It’s
up to you, but remember to consider all the options!
Impact Players
College golf teams usually carry between 8 and 10 players on the team and only 5 travel to each tournament.
Unfortunately, several players have to stay home while the rest of the team competes. This can be a challenging reality
to face for many students making the transition from junior to college golf and it should be a key factor to consider
when researching schools. The best thing is to compare your scores against the top 3 or 4 players on the team you are
researching. These individuals are likely traveling to a majority of tournaments, and you will need to play to a similar
level in order to do the same. Ask any college golfer and they will tell you there is a major difference between
“traveling” and just “being on the team.”
Junior Golf Scores VS. College Golf Scores
With the previous point in mind…Is a score of 74 in a junior tournament comparable to a 74 in college tournament?
Most college coaches believe that college tournaments are 2-3 shots more difficult each round than junior tournaments.
Why is this? Courses are much longer. Players often play more than one round each day, so fatigue and fitness play
much bigger factors. The challenges of balancing academics and athletics. Course set-ups are more difficult. College
golf is a fall/spring sport and challenging weather is often a factor
The Coach
This will be one of the most important people in your life for the next several years! Make sure you take your time
learning about them and getting to know them better. If possible, go watch teams in action and pay attention to the
“coach-player dynamics.” Be sure to ask every player on the team what they think about the coach. Remember to take
things said with a grain of salt, but always ask the questions!
Other Players on the Team
These could be the people you spend a majority of your time with for the next 4 years! Make sure you get to know
them. Look them up on social media. Play 9 holes with them. Are they the type of people you want to become friends
with? You can never tell for sure if you will fit in, but you can make an informed decision!
Academics
Women and men playing a sport in college are referred to as “student-athletes.” Notice the word order; “student” first
and “athlete” second. Very few college golfers end up making a living on the professional tours, so make sure you are
researching schools that will help you achieve your academic and career goals. Some schools actually prohibit student-
athletes from choosing certain majors because of scheduling challenges. If you know you want to major in something
specific, make sure you ask if you will be allowed to pursue that course of study before making any kind of commitment.
Helpful hint: The Ping College Golf Guide (www.collegegolf.com) search tool will allow you to filter schools by available
courses of study and academic standards. Choose a school that will help you achieve both your academic and athletic goals.
Walk On vs. Roster Spot
A lot of college golf teams have “walk-on” tryouts but VERY few students successfully “walk-on” to a team. Walk-on
tryouts are usually pressure packed and chaotic. If your goal is to play college golf and you can’t land a scholarship, do
your homework and find a coach willing to give you a guaranteed “roster spot.” This ensures that you will be treated
like a regular member of the team, you are guaranteed a place to play and practice and you may even have a chance to
earn scholarship money at a later date depending on how you perform.
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Making Your College Decision
The following information was pulled from recruit.pkbgt.org
It’s the moment every young golfer dreams about from the time they play their first tournament, well that and maybe
making the winning putt to win The Masters or the US Women’s Open. It’s their day to announce to the world where
they have officially committed to play college golf. They wear their future college colors, and while surrounded by their
parents and coaches, they have their picture taken as they sign their NLI.
Every young golfer should be thrilled and excited for this day in their junior golf career, it’s a huge accomplishment, but
many get one step ahead of themselves and fail to take the decision making part serious enough to insure they find the
right fit. They don’t weigh out all the pros and cons and put more emphasis on the less important parts of the decision,
than the factors that will have the bigger impact on their college careers.
Unfortunately there isn’t an exact blueprint for a junior golfer to make their college decision. Each young golfer has their own
preferences and reasons for what they want out of their college golf experience. Some want a big university, while others
want a smaller environment, some want a competitive golf program, while others want a more laidback environment, some
want to stay close to home, while others are ok with going farther away from home. This list can continue on and on, but the
takeaway is that each junior golfer has to figure out what the most important factors are for their own happiness.
If you are nearing the end of your decision making process, hopefully that means you have already visited numerous
universities, met with the coaches, asked lots of great questions and maintained communication throughout the process.
If you want to insure you find the right fit, you must do your homework by asking the right questions and getting to
know the coach and golf program as much as possible. You then need to figure out what it is that YOU want out of
your college experience. Many times this can change once you get to college, sometimes even before then, but you have
to do all that you can to weigh out the important factors and make the best decision you can for yourself.
Below are just a few areas to consider as you make your decision. As mentioned before, there isn’t an exact blueprint
that every golfer can follow in order to make their decision and many times you may have to sacrifice a few of your ideal
factors in order to put all of the pieces together into the best fit possible. But there are a few key areas that will have a
huge impact on a golfer’s college experience no matter what level of golf they decide to play.
Coach personality and philosophy
No matter where you play your college golf, the relationship you develop with your college coach is one that will have a
huge impact on your college experience and the rest of your life. Do everything you can during the process to ask
questions and get to know the coach. Remember you are trying to get to know them just as they are trying to get to know
you. Don’t hesitate to call and talk to them as often as you can, ask them lots of questions, go watch them at a tournament
to see how they interact with their players and ask the team members how they feel about the coach (keeping in mind this
can be a tad biased depending on the player’s own experience). While you can’t pick a university specifically for the coach
(the coach may leave before you even get there), you do need to make sure you have complete respect, share the same
expectations, and feel comfortable with the coach you choose to play for or else it will be a long four or five years.
Team atmosphere
You will probably spend more time with your teammates than you will anybody else at the university. You are going to be
dealing with the same struggles, same schedule and same demands so you must see yourself fitting in with the team. This
doesn’t mean everyone on the team is going to be best friends and run in the same social circles, but you must be able to
imagine yourself on the bus with the team for long drives to and from tournaments, eating dinner together, staying in the
hotel together, getting your butts kicked at workouts together, going through hours of practice drills together, having
those tough team meetings together, cheering each other on at tournaments and supporting each other through the ups
and the downs. Golf teams are small, tight knit families so really take this into consideration when making your decision.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 43
Academic rigor
Many junior golfers are also great students in the classroom. For a majority of golfers, a big focus is on insuring they go to a
good academic school over just playing college golf. This is certainly an area that is very dependent on the golfer’s goals and
aspirations with their life beyond college golf. I never advise for lowering standards with academic selectivity just to play
college golf, but I do emphasize the importance of being a college athlete in the real world if you are able to find the right
fit with both. My main piece of general advice is to keep in mind that if you struggle in high school to keep up good grades,
while playing junior golf, then it will only be harder once you get to college. A very demanding golf program, plus a very
demanding academic school can be difficult for even the best of students and the best of junior golfers, especially if you
want to have an active social life. Don’t be afraid to push yourself with high demands for yourself, but understand how
difficult it will be to juggle even just 2 very demanding areas in college, much less all 3 areas (golf, academic and social).
Distance from home
This was an area which played a big factor in my own decision, that looking back I have a slightly different perspective on. I
grew up in a very small town, and while I was determined to escape the small town environment, I was plagued by the
comfort of not going too far just yet. I was a popular kid in my high
school (three sport athlete, salutatorian, homecoming court, etc.) but
I was not the most out-going, independent, or the most mature of kids
either. So I turned down several offers to visit great universities that
were 4+ hours away because I was afraid to go that far away from
home, not even giving myself the chance to step out of my comfort
zone. And I definitely knew we wouldn’t have the money to fly me
home very often if I went flying distance away. I wasn’t sure how I
would adjust, knowing that I couldn’t go home whenever I wanted or
needed to. I wish I would have considered more options that were
within a reasonable distance from home and given myself the chance
to at least explore those possibilities. So my best advice on this area of
your decision is to consider what is comfortable to you that will allow
you to focus on school and golf, but not to be afraid to step just a bit
farther from what you may consider your comfort zone. Once you get settled on campus you are going to make so many
new friends and create a new life that being away from home won’t even be that big of a deal after all.
Size of school
This is certainly a factor that means more to some, than to others. I never really thought much about it when making my
decision (shame on me, I know) but luckily my dream golf program, just happened to be a smaller university, with strong
academics but still D1 athletics so I got the right combination that fit me at that stage in my life. I did miss out on the big
time athletic department with the crazy football tailgates, loud basketball arena crowds and massive facilities, but at the
end of the day it’s probably not the environment I would have thrived in. I am a huge sports fan, but the big classrooms,
easy distractions and intimidation factor of a big campus would have overwhelmed me. I understand when a junior
golfers tells me they would rather go to
their big state university, than to a small
school just to play golf, but one thing to
keep in mind is that you can always make
that decision later on if you aren’t happy (or
go to a big university for grad school), but
you can never go back and have the
opportunity to play college golf once you
give that up. So don’t let size or a big time
athletic department play too much of a
factor in your decision, you will come to
find out that you can make the most of your
experience no matter the size of the
campus, big or small. And big athletic
departments come with higher demands,
expectations and commitment than some
junior golfers are willing to put in.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 44
Playing time
This is another area that can’t always be a definite fact when making your decision, but it is an important factor to consider
that can play a major role in your college golf experience.
Listen to what the coaches tell you about their thoughts of your playing time, especially the ones who have been
in coaching for many years. They have seen all sorts of players with potential and what happens once they get to college.
They know the signs, the important skills, and the areas of strengths and weaknesses to look for among players. Don’t
think they are telling you their opinion just because they don’t want you on their team, they are just being honest.
This area of the decision making factor is one of the toughest and least favorite parts of my job. I never want to
be the pessimist and tell a junior golfer that I don’t think they will get much playing time at a particular school, I know
what it was like to have big dreams and big goals, but the level of competition in college golf is so much tougher than
junior golfers and parents can usually comprehend. It’s OK to go into a program knowing you have to work hard to earn
a playing spot, I chose that route over a program where I knew I would always be in the lineup. Fortunately for me it
worked out in my favor and I was able to qualify for every tournament, but I see it more times that it happens the other
way and players get very discouraged.
I have huge respect and admiration for the players who have the determination and will to work hard to
improve and earn their spot, but many times it just doesn’t end up being the case and they don’t get enough playing
time. This area of the decision making process is such a tough factor to predict but it is a huge factor to consider, so
really dig deep and ask yourself about the reality of playing time and earning your spot on the team.
From a coach’s perspective: What are some factors to help a junior golfer determine the right fit?
“Do they like the school, the coach and the team? Does the school have the correct major for the student. It
is important to establish a relationship with the coach and to know the students on the team. The student
must be qualified academically. The student has to have a solid tournament record.” ~ Division 1 Women’s
Golf Coach
“Does the school have my major field of study? How many players are on the team? Is the program set up to
help me elevate my game from a practice environment?” ~ Division 1 Women’s Golf Coach
“Learning style, class size, coaching staff, consistency and/or improvement in the golf program, coach’s track
record, coach’s past employment timeline. Also, take a look at the coach’s NCAA ASR/GSR to see how the
coach prepares his/her player’s careers after college golf.” ~ Division 2 Women’s Golf Coach
“Does the school have the major that interests you and is the coach willing to accommodate that? Are you
comfortable around the coach and the team? Will you have a good chance of being on the travel team?”
~ Division 2 Women’s Golf Coach
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 45
Section 5
Resources
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 46
Where do I go for help?
Go-to Team
Your local chapter: www.thefirsttee.org
The First Tee home office: Ryan Wilson: rwilson@thefirsttee.org; 904.940.4354
Resource
Website
Description
ACT
www.act.org
Find a test schedule and register to take
the ACT
American Junior Golf Association
(AJGA)
www.ajga.org
Top American junior golf tour, points
based entry map for ranked events not
run by the AJGA in all 50 states
College Board
www.collegeboard.com
Find a test schedule and register to take
the SAT
Golf Stat
www.golfstat.com
Official source of college golf scores and
statistics. Offers the Prep Report which
shows what scores you have to shoot to
play at various programs.
Junior Golf Scoreboard
www.juniorgolfscoreboard.com
Search for events and scoring, junior golf
rankings, upload resumes, mental game
resources, physical fitness resources,
recruiting blog and resources
National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA)
www.ncaa.org
Recruiting guidelines, student athlete
eligibility center
National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
www.naia.org
Information for prospective student
athletes, eligibility center
National Junior College Athletic
Association (NJCAA)
www.njcaa.org
Information for prospective student
athletes
Ping American College Golf Guide
www.collegegolf.com
Research college golf programs,
recruiting resources, score translator
Titleist Performance Institute (TPI)
www.mytpi.com
Best place to find resources on physical
fitness and tournament preparation
United States Golf Association
(USGA)
www.usga.org
Not-for-profit governing body of the
game of golf, conducts several prestigious
championships for juniors, women and
men all over the country
Professionals
There are many professionals available that will help guide you through the college golf recruiting process. These
individuals provide services such as help establishing a competitive golf game plan, an in-person evaluation of your golf
game and communication with college coaches on your behalf. The downfall is that these services are usually very
expensive. You can search “college golf recruiting services” to learn more.
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 47
Sample Personal Resume
ADRIANNA WESTHAVEN
1515 Stanley Drive #62 - Hometown, KS 66202
[email protected]
(913) 555-1938
Graduation Year: 2016
EDUCATION
Southside High School
Hometown, Kansas
Weighted Grade Point Average: 4.63
Unweighted Grade Point Average: 3.85 (Top 5% of Class)
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES & VOLUNTEERISM
Participation
Timeline
Hours/Week
Total
Responsibility/Accomplishment
Southside Junior
Council
2014-present
5
100
Represent junior class in school activities
National Honor Society
2014-present
1
15
Secretary: take minutes at monthly meetings
Mu Alpha Theta
2014-present
3
75
Math Honor Society
Partners Club
2014-present
2
100
Lead Volunteer: provides leadership training and
support for other high school students at monthly
Special Olympics events.
Volunteer Coach
2011-present
3
200+
Help mentor younger students at The First Tee
Spanish Club
2013-present
2
25
Assist in planning and executing multi-cultural
events
Earth Club
2013-present
1
25
Educate other students on the importance of
recycling
LPGA/USGA Girls Golf
2013-present
2
55
Play golf and mentor younger girls
Southside Girls Golf
Team
2013-present
15
500+
Varsity Golf, Team Captain
Southside Volleyball
Team
2013
15
250+
Junior Varsity
Pure Heart Girls
2012-present
3
60
Host prayer and support events to combat peer
pressure of young girls
Student Council
2012-2013
6
120
Freshman Class President: organized monthly
events and represent the student body.
The Rift
2011-present
2
55
Junior Counselor at high school church youth camp
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2014 The First Tee Outstanding Student Leadership Summit, Dallas, Texas, March 11–14, 2015
2014-2015 All Kansas Preps- Girls Golf Team
2014 Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach
Coca-Cola Champions Challenge Winner at Pebble Beach
The First Tee Life Skills & Leadership Academy, August 10, 2012
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 48
Sample Junior Golf Resume
Name: Allison Rodriguez
Age: 17
Graduation Year (Class of): 2018
Address: 5555 Knollwood Street
Phone #: (888) 123-4567
Email: [email protected]
High School: Valley View Prep High School
Handicap: 2.4
Home Course: City View Municipal Golf course
DATE
TOURNAMENT NAME
(Golf Course)
SCORES
FINISH
vs. FIELD
WINNING
SCORE
YARDAGE
& PAR
EVENT
DESCRIPTION
(E.G. Regional,
National, High School)
March 27–
28, 2015
Future Champions Golf 6
th
Annual FCG Texas
Championship – Circle of
Champions
76-74/150
3/37
72-73/145
6108 yards
Par 70
State
March 9–
10, 2015
Texas Jr. Golf Tour – GC of
Dallas Jr. Championship
75-73/148
1/42
75-73/148
6000 yards
Par 72
State
February
16–17, 2015
Legends Jr. Tour, Collegiate
Preview – Hurricane Creek
81-79/160
3/11
78-74/152
5668 yards
Par 72
Regional
November
8–9, 2014
Arkansas Sate 7A Girls
Championship – Pleasant
Valley CC
74-79/153
5/62
71-69/140
5984 yards
Par 72
State
October 16,
2014
South Central PGA Players
Tour #6 – Indian Springs CC
81
T3/21
77
5888 yards
Par 72
Local
August 21–
23, 2014
Fianna Hills Junior Stroke
Play Championship – Fianna
Hill CC
73-80-
80/233
12/36
75-76-
70/221
5844 yards
Par 72
Regional
July 9–10,
2014
Genesis Shootout – Fair
Oaks Ranch CC
82-81/163
18/39
76-74/150
5999 yards
Par 71
Regional
June 6–7,
2014
AJGA Stacey Lewis Junior
Open – Lost Springs CC
83-71/154
9/56
75-75/150
5240 yards
Par 72
National
May 22–23,
2014
St. Louis Junior – Missouri
Bluffs CC
85-75/160
10/25
72-70/142
5544 yards
Par 70
State
April 12–13,
2014
Legends Collegiate Preview –
Ridgewood CC
87-84/171
23/31
76-73/149
5987 yards
Par 72
National
November,
9–10, 2013
Arkansas Junior Golf
Qualifier – Pine Bluff CC
79-83/162
7/22
77-76/153
6000 yards
Par 72
State
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 49
Sample Introduction Letter to Coaches
Dear Coach Smith,
My name is Jalen Anderson and I am very interested in attending Flagler University as both a student and as a
member of your golf team. I am a rising junior at West Forsyth High School and will be graduating in June of 2017. I have
earned a 3.00 unweighted GPA (4.00 weighted GPA) and I am currently ranked 91
st
in my class of 520 students. My goal
is to attend a college that offers strong academic programs, as well as a competitive golf team in which I may contribute
to and continue to develop my golf game. Your school is the perfect match for me since it accomplishes both of these
things.
I believe that I bring a lot to the table and will contribute to the success of your team. I am a highly motivated,
hardworking, competitive and intelligent golfer. I am constantly learning and evolving every time I play and practice. I
work hard on and off the course and I want to be surrounded by a group of individuals motivating each other to do the
same.
I have played golf since I was 9 years old and started competitive golf about 4 years ago. I have been on my high
school golf team since my freshman year and have been a top player both years. During my freshman year, I led my team
to the state finals, and advanced to the regional finals this year. I have played in various junior tournaments as listed in
my golf resume. I’m not sure what your recruiting schedule is like, but I would love to have you watch me play. My
tournament schedule for the summer is as follows:
June 11-12: CGA Carolinas Junior Championship Qualifier
June 28-29: TYGA High Point Open
July 13-15: Dogwood Championship
August 1-3: AJGA Under Armour/Scott Stallings Championship
I plan on adding few more tournaments to my summer schedule and will notify you of these when I do. I will
also be sure to keep you updated on my results. I would appreciate it if you would send me information on both your
school and the golf program. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Jalen Anderson
Jalen Anderson
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 50
Swing Video Instructions
Creating a High Quality Swing Video
The following Information was pulled from recruit.pkbgt.org and rednumbersgolf.com.
Sending your golf swing and short game video to a coach can be an excellent way for them to learn more about you as a
player. In many cases, a coach may not have the opportunity to watch you play or practice at a competition site. This is
particularly true for Division II and III coaches with limited recruiting budgets. Although the video cannot capture
everything about your golf game, it is a good way to make an initial impression on a coach and hopefully to generate
some interest as a potential recruit. Before producing it, make sure you understand what should be included (or
excluded) in this video.
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
Make sure the camera is positioned correctly to capture these angles
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
Two straight putts from 6–10 feet from a “face on” angle
Two straight putts from 6–10 feet from a “down the line” angle
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:
Music
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
Excessive 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!
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 51
Sample Meal-plan for Competitive Golfers
Breakfast: 6:30am
Fueling up about two hours prior to playing provides long-lasting energy.
What to eat: Two slices of high-fiber whole wheat toast with two tablespoons of natural almond butter; two scrambled
omega-3 eggs with sautéed peppers and onions; and an orange.
What to drink: Water
Snack: 7:45am
A small snack and more water ensures that you’re fully hydrated and ready to get your round underway.
What to eat: A handful of walnuts and an apple.
What to drink: Water
Start play: 8:00am
Holes 4–16: Refuel every four holes to help prevent your energy levels from crashing during the round.
Snack: Hole 4: What to eat: One slice of bread with one tablespoon of peanut butter and one tablespoon of all-fruit
strawberry jelly. What to drink: Water and/or G2 (low-calorie Gatorade). On extremely hot days or if you’re sweating
profusely, G2 will help you stay cool and hydrated.
Snack: Hole 8: What to eat: An energy bar. What to drink: Water and/or G2.
Snack: Hole 12: What to eat: One slice of bread with one tablespoon peanut butter and one tablespoon all-fruit
strawberry jelly. What to drink: Water and/or G2.
Snack: Hole 16
What to eat: One and a half ounces of lean beef jerky and a small box of raisins.
What to drink: Water and/or G2.
Lunch: 12:30pm
Refuel quickly after your game with a meal high in carbohydrates, protein, fluids and antioxidants to help your body
recover from the round.
What to eat: One whole wheat wrap with 3 oz lean turkey breast, spinach salad with olive oil and one watermelon wedge.
What to drink: Water
Snack: 3:30pm
Your post-game meal isn’t the end of your body’s recovery process. Continue to eat and drink consistently throughout
the day to ensure a full recovery.
What to eat: An apple and a handful of walnuts.
What to drink: Water
Dinner: 6:30pm
Prepare a recovery dinner full of healthy fats, carbs and veggies.
What to eat: Three ounces of salmon, one cup of brown rice, and two cups of asparagus cooked with olive oil.
What to drink: Water
Snack: 9:30pm
Help maintain and build lean body mass overnight by ending the day with a protein-packed snack.
What to eat: Low-fat cottage cheese, a peach, and a handful of raw pecans.
What to drink: Water
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 52
Southern Methodist University Mustangs
Women’s Golf Team Practice Example
Stuff to Improve:
Our Par 5 Scoring was poor. We were over par as a team and gave up 10 shots to Middle Tennessee and 8 shots to
TCU on par 5’s. We need to play better strategic golf, improve our wedges and improve our putting from 15’ and
in. We also need to weigh risk and reward better by assessing the size of our targets and hitting into the big areas to
avoid penalty shots. On par 5’s, we counted 9 bogies and 3 doubles.
We lead the tournament in birdies, but gave up a lot of shots when failing to make par. That means we are taking
advantage of our opportunities well when we hit the greens, but not chipping and pitching as well as we should when
we miss the greens.
Finally, we want our attitudes to be confident, loose, focused and positive no matter what the circumstances. Results
don’t matter more in the third round. The shot you hit after a poor shot doesn’t have to be perfect. Missing a putt
means add one, not the end of the world. The answer to these things is to keep yourselves in check for patience,
acceptance, staying positive and staying in the moment. I had more than a few conversations about what had
happened in the past or wondering how we were doing, which made me think you were thinking results in that last
round. Do your best on every shot. Look to pump up your teammates around the course at every opportunity.
Carry the best attitudes of any team on the golf course.
Thursday: Get with David and me for individual feedback and plan to spend time with us on Thursday morning to work
on specific things we saw that can be improved.
Wedges: Hit 10 balls from 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 yards or you can choose the 5’s. If you miss the green, add 5 balls. If
you hit it within the flagstick, take 2 balls off your pile. Pick up after each set of balls. If you weren’t pleased with a
yardage, repeat it and make an adjustment. Either take more club and smaller swings, lower your trajectory or change
your set up. We need to be great within 100 yards and this is a good drill for sharpening that skill. You may take up to
40 minutes on wedges today.
Putting: Please do Casey’s Drill on 3 holes on the front green. Go through your routine, visualize the putt in real time
so you pay attention to the speed chosen and match it to the situation and slope. You may spend 20 minutes on this
drill.
Mustang Challenge: Put 5 tees down around the hole at 10 feet for each tee. Putt from each tee. When you make a
putt, move the tee back one putter length. When you have moved a tee twice, pick it up when you make the 3rd putt.
Play for no more than 20 minutes.
Play a game of Drawback with a teammate. Play 9 holes. If either of you finish over par for that 9, you both must play
another 9. Continue with this challenge. Play for no more than 20 minutes.
I’ve scheduled 100 minutes, but you will probably gain at least five or 10 minutes somewhere along the line. If it is over
our agreed 90 minutes split, it’s ok, you need it. :-)
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Workouts: 5:30 PM
Qualifying is two rounds this week playing from the very back tees. I want to put pressure on your management skills,
your wedges and your short game. There will be six players for one spot. Lindsey earned an exemption for the fall
semester with her win. Katie earned an exemption for the Match Play Challenge with her finish in the top 10% of the
field. Congrats to them!
I will have two picks and will consider the two qualifying rounds as well as the tournament rounds played. Everyone,
whether exempt or not will play at least one of the qualifying rounds. Here are the tee times:
For more practice plans like this one visit SMU Head Coach Jeanne Sutherland’s
blog at: http://12monthsofgolfinvail.blogspot.com/
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 54
University of North Carolina Tar Heels
Men’s Golf Team Sample Practice Program
Putting Program
Objectives:
To be the “Best putting team in the country”
Help us reach our goals (both team and individual)
General Information:
Incorporate your putting routine into your putting practice to include the following:
o Find a generally level putt and measure out your distance for the day
o Go through your routine. Aim putter; focus on spot in the back of the cup (more specific target than hole)
o Return eyes to ball and start stroke immediately:
No time for mechanical thinking or negative thinking
You must trust your stroke and execute at the subconscious or automatic level
o You are allowed three restarts each day to fulfill the daily requirement
o Putt until you miss and record total made in a row each day
o You must successfully complete each step in Level I–III for two consecutive days before you move on.
You must then successfully complete each step in Level IV for three days in a row.
Daily Minimum Requirement
LEVEL I LEVEL II LEVEL III LEVEL IV
3.5 Feet 4.0 Feet 4.5 Feet 5.0 Feet
(2 days) (2 days) (2 days) (3 days)
10 10 10 10
15 15 15 15
20 20 20 20
25 25 25 25
30 30 30 CONGRATULATIONS!
35 35 34
40 40
45
o After completing your level practice each day, then complete a putting clock rotation. 12 putts from 10
feet and record your success rate daily.
o Don’t forget a few long putts for touch and feel.
If you are successful each day, the program can be completed in 54 days.
You will only get out of this program what you put into it. Attention to detail and determination to maintain
your focus on why we are doing this. Honest recording of results so we can gauge improvement.
Continue daily requirements at tournaments sties as well as at home. You take one day off per week.
Congratulations! You are on your way to being the best putting team in the country!
Back to Table of Contents The First Tee --- 55
Practice Assignment
1. Around the World
Pick a hole and place 8 balls in a circle around the hole, each ball being a 4 foot putt. Complete “Around the
World” (must make all 8 balls in a row). If you miss a putt, then the next ball you hit will be the first ball for
your next attempt. For ever miss, you must complete another “Around the World” successfully.
2. Make It
From the “tee markers” hit a chip to the designated hole. It will be a simple bump-and-run from about 25–30
feet. Hit this chip until you make it. Once you make it, move on to the next assignment. However, if you hit a
chip that does not go in the hole and is not within the blue ribbon, then you now have to make an additional
chip. This continues on throughout the entire drill. So, if you hit 4 chips that are not within the blue ribbon, then
you now have to make 4 chips to complete the drill.
3. Shape It Competition
After you get loose with your warm up, get a partner on the range. Alternate choosing specific shots to hit
(both trajectory and shape) and be sure to pick targets while selecting the shots. Award a point to the guy who
executes each shot the best. The first one to 20 points wins. Change clubs for every shot and make sure you
use every club in your bag. Be creative and fun with the shots. Shots to choose from include:
a. Where wedges land
b. Where wedges stop
c. High, medium and low fades
d. High, medium and low draws
e. High, medium and low straight shots
f. Pick a starting point and see who can hook it the most
g. Pick a starting point and see who can slice it the most
h. Pick a target 100 yards away and see who can land a 6 iron closest to it
i. Etc.
Practice Assignment
Luke Donald Drill
Hit 4 putts from 4 feet, the 4 putts from 6 feet, the 4 putts from 8 feet, then 4 putts from 10 feet. Then you can reverse
it and go 10 feet, 8 feet, 6 feet, and 4 feet. We will do this every day this week. Perfect score is 32.
Brand Snedeker Drill
Pick a hole and set up tees at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 at 3 feet, 4 feet, and 5 feet. Putt until you make all 12 putts. Start
over at the 3 footers if you miss at any point in the drill.
Wedge Practice
Hit from 70, 90, and 110 yards from the range to the target green. Hit shots until you have landed 5 balls within 2 feet
of the flag. Hit from 40 yards on the new chipping green until you make one. If you don’t make before you have to leave
you can keep doing it tomorrow.
After short game practice feel free to work on your full swing.
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UNC Golf Skill Tests
Name:
Date:
Putting
3 feet # out of 10
5 feet # out of 10
8 feet # out of 10
10 feet # out of 10
20 feet # out of 10
Chip In - # of attempts
Hit each target 5 times
40 yards – record # of attempts
60 yards – record # of attempts
Driving – hit 14 FWs with 3 clubs
Driver # of attempts
3 Wood # of attempts
Hybrid # of attempts
Wedge Competition
Use the Titleist shag balls for this. There are three pins, with target circles around each pin. The pins are located at 40,
60, and 80 yards. You will be paired against another team member and will have to rotate hitting shots at the 40 yard
target, the 60, then the 80, alternating shots between your opponent.
Use the scorecard provided to keep track of which targets you hit and how many targets you hit. It only counts
if your ball stays inside the circle. For example, if Andrew is playing Scott, Andrew hits first to the 40 yard target and his
ball comes to rest outside the circle, he doesn’t get a point. Then Scott hits a shot to the 40 yard target and the ball
stays inside the circle, he marks down a point. They move on to the 60 yard target and both keep their ball inside the
circle, then they both mark down a point…and so on.
Each player will hit 10 shots to each target. The player in the match with the most points wins the match and
moves on to the next match. However, out of all the winners, the guy with the lowest amount of points is also knocked
out, leaving just four guys in the semi-finals. The winners of the semi’s move on to the finals.
Hand in your scorecards when you’re finished (we’ll leave extras in the locker room for the guys that move on
to the semi-finals and finals).
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Practice Assignment
Once you are done with your fitting, the recommendation is to go play on the course. As of 11:30am, the tee sheet was
wide open after 2:10pm. Call the shop, make sure the tee is open and go play.
If you are not playing, your practice assignment is below…
Putting Ladder:
Find a relatively straight putt and put tees in the ground at 3ft, 4ft, 5ft, etc. all the way to 12ft. Make the 3-footer, step
back, make the 4footer, step back, make the 5footer, and so on. The drill is complete once you make all the putts in a
row from the 3ft tee to the 12ft tee (10 putts total).
Once you finish the straight putt, pick a different hole and find a putt that breaks from left to right. Repeat the steps
above.
Once you finish the left to right putt, pick a different hole and find a right to left putt. Repeat the steps above.
Hole A Bunker Shot
I think this one is self-explanatory, but for the slow one, get in a bunker and hit bunker shots until you make one in your
intended target/hole. Roll each ball into the bunker. Do not place it. Re-rake the sand in between each shot.
Shot Shaping
On the range, pick a target and hit a draw that does not finish left of the target. On the next shot, to the same target, hit
a fade that does not finish right of the target. Do this three times (6 shots total) before moving on to the next club. You
should always be alternating between a draw and a fade (don’t hit 3 draws, then 3 fades). Do this with all your irons,
hybrids, fairway woods, and driver.
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College Golf Recruiting Checklist
Use this checklist to track your progress through the college golf recruiting process.
Determine your goals
Maintain a strong academic record
Play as many junior golf events as possible
Educate yourself on the recruiting process
Learn about NCAA recruiting rules
Have an expert evaluate your game
Build and maintain your junior golf resume
Practice like a college golfer
Research schools you may want to contact
Write a strong introduction letter
Make a swing video
Contact at least 50–75 schools
Schedule and take unofficial visits
Continuously communicate with coaches
Ask lots of questions
Find the best option for you
Make a decision
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Glossary
ACT/SAT: Standardized tests used by colleges for admissions purposes. Students must meet minimum requirements
for these tests for the NCAA Eligibility Center and to meet individual college requirements.
Admissions Contact: Postcard, letter, email, package, and/or phone call directly from a college admissions
department.
AP or Advanced Placement: Advanced placement classes offered by a high school. College-level classes. Placement of a
college freshman in an advanced class based on work completed in high school. Most often colleges and universities use the
College Board’s Advanced Placement Tests for advanced placement. Advanced placement may be given with or without credit
hours.
Application Waiver: A coach’s waiver of the fee for applying to an institution
Coach Contact: Questionnaire, camp brochure, letter, email, phone call, or text message directly from a member of
the coaching staff
Combine: Special events designed to showcase a student’s golf skills in a variety of different ways. These may include skills
challenges/and or Trackman exercises.
Contact: An exchange of information between a coaching staff or admissions department and a prospective student-
athlete, Contacts include camp brochures, letters, questionnaires, emails, phone calls, and tape requests.
Contact Period: The period when a coach may have in person contact with a student or his/her parents on or off
college campus. The coach may watch the student compete or visit the high school.
Core Courses: High school classes required by the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. These include English, Math,
Natural/Physical Science, Social Science, Foreign Language, Religion, or Philosophy. Refer to the NCAA Eligibility Center
regulations.
Cost of Attendance: The total cost of attending a school, the Cost of Attendance (COA) is an important factor in
determining a student’s financial aid needs.
Dead Period: Periods of time during which it is not permissible for a coach to make in-person recruiting contacts or
evaluating on-or off-campus or permit official or unofficial visits
Early Action: Nonbinding plan that requires an athlete to submit his or her application in early fall (usually by
November 1
st
or 15
th
).The college lets the student know whether he or she is accepted by early January, but the student
has the right to wait until May 1 before responding. This gives a student-athlete time to compare colleges, including
financial aid offers, before making a decision.
Early Decision: A binding agreement whereby a student-athlete accepts an offer prior to National Letter of Intent Day.
A student can apply Early Decision to only one college.
Expected Family Contribution: The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the amount a family can be expected to
contribute toward a student’s college costs. Financial aid administrators determine need for federal student aid by
subtracting the EPC from the student’s cost of attendance (COA). The EFC formula is used to determine the EFC and
ultimately determine the need for aid from the following types of federal student financial assistance: Federal Pell Grants,
subsidized Stafford Loans and assistance from the “campus based” programs—Federal Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Perkins Loans, and Federal Work-Study (FWS)
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Evaluation Period: The period of time during which a college coach may watch students compete or visit the high
school. There is no in-person contact away from the college campus allowed during this time. The coach may call and
write during this time.
Free Application for Financial Student Aid: The Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form
required by the government for application to any federal education aid program. The FAFSA is used to determine the
expected family contribution (EFC) based on family financial information. A FAFSA is used to determine the specific
Federal Student Aid programs that can contribute to a student’s total financial aid package and in what proportions.
Financial Aid/Scholarship: Money received from a college or another source, such as outside loans or grants. This
may be athletic, academic, merit or need-based aid.
FWS/Work Study: Provides jobs to undergraduate and graduate students, allowing them to earn money to pay
education expenses.
GATE or Guaranteed Access to Education: Guaranteed Access to Education (GATE) is a nonprofit private loan
program offered through participating institutions in conjunction with Bank of America, Bank of Boston and the National
Collegiate Trust (NCT). There is a minimal credit check and colleges can recommend whatever loan amount they’d like
the student to receive. The interest rate is also rather low. Students and parents should call 1-617-639-2000 for more
information about the program (in New York, 1-212-551-3650).
GPA or Grade-Point Average: The NCAA Eligibility Center only uses core courses to calculate this #. This should
be cumulative over the entire high school academic career.
HBCU or Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Institutions of higher education in the United States that
were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community, yet they have always allowed admission
to students of all races. Many HBCUs have women’s and men’s golf programs.
NAIA or National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics: The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA) is a separate association of colleges who compete in intercollegiate athletics. The NAIA launched the champions
of character program in 2000, an educational outreach initiative which emphasizes the tenets of character and integrity,
not only for NAIA college students, but for younger students, coaches and parents in our communities.
NCAA or National Collegiate Athletic Association: National Collegiate Athletic Association is the athletics
governing body for more than 1,280 colleges, universities, conferences and organizations. Their goal is to govern
competition in a fair, safe, inclusive and sportsmanlike manner. The official Web site is www.ncaa.org.
NCAA Division I: Among the 3 NCAA divisions, Division I schools generally have the biggest student bodies, manage
the largest athletics budgets and offer the most generous # of scholarships. www.ncaa.org.
NCAA Division II: A collection of colleges and universities that provided thousands of student-athletes the
opportunity to compete at a high level of scholarship athletics while excelling in the classroom and fully engaging in the
broader campus experience. Division II schools do provide athletic scholarships, but there are less athletic scholarships
available than compared with most Division I schools. www.ncaa.org.
NCAA Division III: The Division III experience offers participation in a competitive athletic environment that pushes
student-athletes to excel on the field and build upon their potential by tackling new challenges across campus. Division III
schools DO NOT provide athletic scholarships. www.ncaa.org.
NCAA Eligibility Center: The organization responsible for certifying the academic eligibility for practice, competition,
and financial aid of all prospective student-athletes for Division I and Division II.
NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete: An important reference book created by the NCAA for
student-athletes interested in competing on college sports. This guide leads the student-athlete through eligibility,
amateurism, registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center, financial aid, and recruiting rules. It is available at the NCAA
Web site www.ncaa.org.
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NJCAA or National Junior College Athletic Association: Seeks to promote and foster two year college athletics.
Athletic Scholarships are available. www.njcaa.org.
NAI or National Letter of Intent: A legal, binding contract in which a student agrees to attend a college for one
academic year. In return, a college agrees to provide the student with athletics related financial aid for one year
Non-Scholarship Athlete: A student athlete who has not been awarded any athletic scholarship money but is a
member of the team.
Official Visit: Visit to a college campus by a student and/or parent paid for by the college.
Quiet Period: A period of time during which a coach cannot have in-person contact with a student or his/her parents
off of the college campus. The coach cannot evaluate a student during this time, but can write or telephone during quiet
periods.
Recruiting Contact: Face to face interaction between a coach and a student-athlete or his/her parents away from the
college campus, including high school competitions.
Recruiting Guidelines: Restrictions set by the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA about when and how a college coach can
communicate with a student-athlete
Recruiting Materials: Information sent by a member of a coaching staff to a student-athlete. These include camp
brochures, questionnaires and letters.
Red Shirt: A student who does not compete in any competition during a full academic year.
Regular Admissions: The process in which a student applies to a college by a midwinter deadline, receives word from
the college in early April, and makes a decision and notifies colleges by May 1
st
.
Revenue Sports: College sports that bring revenue to the school. These most often include men’s football and
basketball, and women’s basketball, tennis, gymnastics, and volleyball.
Rolling Admissions: The process in which a student applies and receives an admission decision within two to six
weeks. Applications are accepted until the incoming freshman class is filled. Most public universities and many private
colleges use this timeline.
SAR or Student Aid Report: The document received after the FAFSA is processed listing all of the answers to the
FAFSA. A parent should review these answers carefully to make sure they are correct.
Student-athlete: A high school student who is recruited to attend a particular college to play on one of its athletic
teams or a student who reports for practice at a college. Your child becomes a college bound student-athlete the day he
or she enters high school, is not sooner. Men’s basketball recruiting begins a student’s seventh-grade year.
Title IX: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 specifying that, “No person in the United States shall, on the
basis of sex, be exalted from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Unofficial Visit: Any visit to a college campus paid for by a student and/or parents. The only expense a student may
receive is three complementary admissions to a home contest.
Verbal Commitment: A student verbally indicating that he/she plans to attend a college of university and play college
sports. A verbal commitment is not binding, although it is a generally accepted form of commitment.
Walk-on: A student who does not receive an athletic scholarship, but who is a member of the team.
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References
1. http://www.golf.org.au/collegegolf
2. http://recruit.pkbgt.org/
3. http://www.juniorgolfscoreboard.com/
4. http://www.coreperformance.com/
5. http://www.roadtocollegegolf.com/
6. http://www.nickygoetze.com/
7. http://12monthsofgolfinvail.blogspot.com/
8. http://rednumbersgolf.com/