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Playing college golf is the goal of most junior golfers. However, it is not a goal that is easily attainable. It requires a dedication to the sport and to academics. Time management in college is of the utmost importance because balancing academics with your athletics is difficult to do.
LEVELS OF COLLEGE GOLF
There are two major organizations in college golf. The most well-known and prominent is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The other is the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
The NCAA is divided into three levels - Divisions 1, 2 and 3. Division 1 are your bigger schools. Examples of Division 1 schools in this area include The University of Tennessee, The University of Memphis and Vanderbilt University. Many people get confused about what schools are Division 1. In football, and football only, there is a fourth division within the structure of the NCAA - Division 1-AA. However, in all sports other than football, Division 1-AA schools are participants in Division 1 athletics. Examples of these type schools in this area include UT-Chattanooga, UT-Martin and Murray State. You will often hear these schools referred to as 'mid-majors.' Many schools in this 'classification' are prominent in golf. Examples of Division 1-AA football schools that are highly competitive in Division 1 golf include Georgia Southern, Furman and Davidson.
Click on one of the links to see a complete list of colleges by divisions that play golf.
NCAA Division 1 Men NCAA Division 1 Women NCAA Division 2 Men NCAA Division 2 Women
NCAA Division 3 Men NCAA Division 3 Women NAIA Men NAIA Women
COLLEGE GOLF SCHOLARSHIPS
Very few players receive full golf scholarships at any level of college golf. Some receive partial scholarships and some receive no golf money at all. College coaches are always searching for players who can qualify for academic scholarship money. It greatly reduces the strain on their budgets and allows them more flexibility in selecting players.
NCAA Division 1 schools are allotted just 4.5 scholarships per year for golf. NCAA Division 2 schools are allotted just 3.5 scholarships per year. NCAA Division 3 schools do not give athletic scholarships. NAIA schools vary by school in the amount of money available for athletic scholarships.
Those scholarships are cumulative and not per year. So, in other words, a Division 1 coach does not give 4.5 scholarships per year, but he can have no more than the equivalent of 4.5 scholarships on his team at any one time.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT DIVISION
Everyone wants to play NCAA Division 1 golf. That is considered the best division, the highest level of competition and the most glamorous. However, when it comes to golf, the key thing to remember is to go to college where you can play regardless of the level. Think of it this way. Would you rather be the number eight player at a large Division 1 school and never get to play in a tournament or the number three player at a Division 2 school and play in every tournament?
When choosing a school, the three most important things to remember are these: first of all, choose a school at which you feel comfortable. Do you like the campus? Is the location good? Do they offer a major in the subject area of your interest? Do you prefer a big school or a small school? Do you want to live on campus or off campus? Secondly, choose a school where you like and respect the golf coach. You will be spending a lot of hours with this person over the next four years so it better be someone you don't mind spending time with. Thirdly, make sure the school is affordable based on your family's income level. You can't go to a school if you can't afford it, so even though a school may be attractive to you, if it is not financially possible for you to attend school there, it's best to mark them off of your list.
Even though golf is played as a team sport in college, it really is an individual competition. How far golf takes you will not be dictated by where you go to school. It will be determined by your talent, work ethic and mental approach. There have been numerous success stories in professional golf involving players that did not play at large schools. The key thing to remember as far as golf is concerned is to find a place where you can actually play and not just be on a team.
Cliff and Mark will be happy to talk with you about your college choices. Their level of expertise in this area is unsurpassed by any other tour in the country. Just let them know how they can help.
