Playing college golf is a dream for many student-athletes. Check out these tips for how to get a golf scholarship so you can get started on the right foot and increase your chances of landing a scholarship at your dream school. 

What Are Golf Coaches Looking For?

There are a handful of key things golf coaches are looking for when student-athletes apply for college golf scholarships. Knowing these ahead of time will help you be prepared when it comes time to apply. 

Academics

GPA, test scores, and general academic success are all important to college golf coaches. It is critical to maintain a high grade point average and stay on top of academics. Keep this in mind as you make your way through high school, and don’t neglect your studies. 

Athletics

High school tournaments are not the most reliable predictors of future success in sports. AJGA, USGA, and State Association tournaments are all examples of high-quality summer competitions that coaches desire their players to participate in. Tournament experience is essential, and the tournament scoring average is the most critical statistic to know.

Character

Scores are not the only things coaches take into consideration. Even if you don’t have top scores, there is still the possibility that a coach will want you on their team. Some coaches are prepared to take a chance on a terrific golf swing that has the potential to be successful.

Create Your Wish List

During your freshman or sophomore year, start making a wish list of the things you are looking for in a college. Taking note of your wants and needs will help you rule out schools that won’t be a good fit. Think about things like:

• How close do you want to be to home?
• How big is the school?
• What is the campus like?
• What is the weather like?
• What level of competition is there?
• How much is tuition?
• Can it accommodate your academic interests?
• What quality is the golf program?
• How are the practice facilities?
• How many scholarships are available?
• What is the golf coach like?
• How many team members are they adding?

Get An Early Start

When it comes to knowing how to get a golf scholarship, you should begin preparing to apply as soon as possible. If you are an active junior golfer, you will want to keep track of your achievements, your scores, how much you have improved, and the tournaments you’ve played in. The more time you have to refine your physical and mental skills, the more equipped you will be for a successful varsity and college athletic and academic career. 

Continue To Build Your Golf Skills

The experience you get from competing on your high school team will help you improve your tournament stroke average. When it comes to what a coach looks for in a player, every coach has their own preferences and philosophies, in addition to the current demands of his or her team. However, college coaches are increasingly looking at player performances and rankings from competitions outside of high school. Playing in competitions at the local, regional, state, and national levels is becoming more important.

Consider participating and competing in one or more of your region’s prominent junior golf tours, as well as certain national tournaments. The AJGA is by far the most well-known — it is considered the single best way to gain exposure to coaches, especially if you want to win a full scholarship.

Get A Jump On Applications and Recruiting

If you haven’t already, you should begin making “unofficial” visits to the top colleges on your list during your junior and senior years. Begin interacting with coaches at the universities you prefer by sending them your current resume and cover letter and scheduling an unofficial visit. You can demonstrate your drive and interest in improving by sending updates on your progress, including your achievements and how you are progressing as a player and student. 

Don’t expect to get a call back if you contact a coach and only leave a message. Unless you are a senior and it is after July 1st, NCAA regulations prohibit you from doing so. This is why creating a professional resume and cover letter is key in the recruiting process. Some golf programs don’t have a large budget that allows coaches to travel for recruiting purposes. So, getting yourself in front of them by emailing your resume and scheduling a meeting may be essential. Remember that NCAA regulations enable coaches to meet with prospects and their parents at any time as long as the encounter takes place on campus.

Use PlayCollegeGolf.Net 

Play College Golf was developed by current NCAA coaches in conjunction with past players, teachers, and golf industry experts. It is an valuable tool if you want to know what college golf scholarship coaches and recruiters want to know about you. Every young golfer, regardless of skill level, needs a place to showcase their skills and share their narrative when applying for a golf scholarship. PlayCollegeGolf.net provides information from professionals who have first-hand experience in the field of college golf.

There’s no time like the present to start preparing to play college golf and learn how to get a golf scholarship! Let us give you the tools and resources that we know will help student-athletes to achieve their dreams. Visit the website today to register!