Prior to high school, focus on fostering a love of the game and a desire to compete. Play in age appropriate tournaments which for many will include one day Local events close to home.   It’s unlikely that prospects will be recruited prior to high school although for a select few top players this may be the case. Start to work regularly with a trusted coach or advisor who can steer you along the right developmental path as you enter high school.

Freshman year is key towards setting yourself up for long term success in the recruiting process. This is a perfect time to develop proper study habits, conduct initial research on colleges and golf programs, set goals and create a long-term plan to attain them, and play in skill level appropriate tournaments. The level of coach contact in freshman year varies by association, division and athlete skill level although in general it tends to be limited. Prospects are free to reach out to coaches to introduce themselves if appropriate, however coaches in NCAA DI and DII are not allowed to initiate contact with prospects during freshman year. Here is Junior Golf Hub’s freshman year checklist:

• Academics
  • Check with guidance counselor to ensure you are on track to take NCAA core courses
  • Prioritize academics and develop strong study habits
• College and Golf Program Research
  • Consider creating initial target college list (30+ colleges)
  • Conduct initial research on target colleges and their golf programs
  • Understand scoring stats at golf programs of interest and set a goal to be at this level
• Golf readiness
  • Create long term development plan with trusted coach
  • Ensure plan addresses key elements of success (golf skills, physical, mental)
• Tournaments
  • Play an active tournament schedule (ideally 10+ tournaments)
  • Recognize the difference between Local (18-hole events close to home), State/Regional (36-hole events, often Ranked) and National (AJGA) events.
  • Play in events appropriate to your skill level
• College Visits
  • Consider unofficial visits when you are traveling for tournaments
• Resume
  • Create Profile on Junior Golf Hub so coaches can your track progress
• Other
  • Understand basics of recruiting rules and regulations across divisions and associations
  • Consider a college golf camp

Sophomore year marks an important turning point. The preparatory phase of freshman year is over, and prospects should move into full swing researching colleges and conducting initial outreach to coaches.   On the tournament front many players will move up and play in 36-hole Ranked Regional events and even considering National events if appropriate. On the academic front, prospects should take the pre-SAT or pre-ACT to adequately prepare for the exams in junior year. Be careful not to push too much of this into junior year, as that will leave you short of time. Here is Junior Golf Hub’s sophomore year checklist:

• College and Golf Program Research
  • Create and/or refine initial target college list (30+ colleges)
  • Conduct initial research on target colleges and golf programs (if not done in freshman year)
  • Understand scoring stats at golf programs of interest and set a goal to be at this level
• Academics
  • Start to take preparatory tests including pre-SAT, pre-ACT
• Golf readiness
  • Execute long term development plan
• Tournaments
  • Play an active tournament schedule comprised of 10+ tournaments
  • Play in 36-hole Regional and Ranked events (Junior Golf Scoreboard, GolfWeek)
  • Consider the AJGA or National tournaments (if skill appropriate). Orient Regional tournament schedule to AJGA PBE map to start earning Performance Stars to carry over into junior year
• Resume
  • Create and refine profile on Junior Golf Hub
• Coach Communication
  • Start your proactive outreach to college golf coaches
    • Target programs where your scoring average is within ~10% of team average
    • Request that the coach ‘Follow’ you on Junior Golf Hub to track progress
  • Use ‘triple threat approach’ of e-mail, phone call and hand-written note
  • Maintain correspondence log to track messages out and in and stay organized
  • Target two coach-friendly windows for outreach: Winter (Nov – Feb) or late spring/early summer
  • Carefully prepare list of questions for the coach and a list of questions that coach may ask you prior to meeting
  • Role play with parent or other authority figure phone or in person prior to meeting with coach
  • Recognize that coaches at NCAA DI and DII still cannot initiate contact with prospects, although prospects can initiate contact with coaches
• College Visits
  • Take unofficial visits when you are traveling your state / regional / country for tournaments
  • Call coach prior to visit to arrange meeting while on campus
• Other
  • Understand basics of junior golf rankings
  • Understand basics of recruiting rules and regulations across divisions and associations
  • Consider a college golf camp
  • Ensure social media

Junior year is crunch time in college golf recruiting. Prospects register for the NCAA Eligibility center (NCAA DI and DII), take standardized tests (SAT, ACT), move into full swing on college visits and play an active tournament schedule. Coach communication is in full swing and coaches at NCAA DI and DII can initiate contact with prospects. In addition, many prospects verbally commit to their program of choice in junior year. Here is a junior year checklist:

• Academics
  • Take core standardized tests (SAT, ACT) and other standardized tests (SAT II etc.) if applicable
• Eligibility
  • Register for NCAA eligibility center
• College and Golf Program Research
  • Refine and narrow initial target college list
• Resume
  • Keep Junior Golf Hub profile or Resume updated
• Coach Communication
  • Recognize that NCAA DI and DII coaches can now initiate contact with prospects
  • Players conduct proactive outreach to college golf coaches
    • Target programs where your scoring average is at or below the #3-#5 players on team
  • Use ‘triple threat approach’ of e-mail, phone call and hand-written note
  • Maintain correspondence log to track messages out and in
  • Target two coach-friendly windows for outreach: Winter (Nov – Feb) & late spring/early summer
  • Carefully prepare list of questions for the coach
  • Create list of questions that coach may ask you prior to a meeting and role play with parent or other authority figure to prepare
  • Send coaches your summer tournament schedule. Ask them what events they will be attending and plan on playing in those events.
  • Updates coaches that are interested regularly on your progress
• College Visits
  • Take unofficial visits when you are traveling for tournaments
  • Official visits for NCAA DII and DIII
• Golf readiness
  • Continue to execute long term development plan
• Tournaments
  • Play an active tournament schedule (ideally 10+ tournaments)
  • Continue to play in 36-hole Regional and Ranked events (Junior Golf Scoreboard, GolfWeek)
  • Consider moving up to AJGA or National tournaments (if skill appropriate). If playing in AJGA, orient Regional tournament schedule to AJGA PBE map to earn Performance Stars

Senior year is the last mile in the recruiting process. Players will refine their college choices, submit applications, and apply for financial aid and scholarships.  Players in NCAA DI and DII may participate in the National Letter of Intent process during designated windows and players in other divisions or associations will finalize their offer letters. Get ready for college golf!

• College and Golf Program Research
  • Finalize target college list (5-10 colleges)
• Applications and Financial Aid
  • Finalize and submit all college applications
  • Complete FAFSA form (financial aid) and submit by January 1
  • Apply for scholarships
• Eligibility
  • Keep information in NCAA eligibility center up to date and submit final amateurism certificate
• Academics
  • SAT or standardized test retakes (if applicable)
• Coach Communication
  • Last mile communication with coaches
  • Finalize offer letter or National Letter of Intent (NCAA DI and DII) in designated windows
• College Visits
  • Conduct official visits (all NCAA Divisions) and unofficial visits
• Resume
  • Keep Junior Golf Hub Profile updated
• Golf readiness
  • Continue to execute long term development plan
• Tournaments
  • Continue to play an active tournament schedule comprised of 10+ tournaments to keeps skills sharp for college golf