Getting Scouted for College Golf: An Insider's Look from IMG Academy

Interested in finding your path from high school to the PGA or LPGA but unsure of just how to align your steps to achieve your dreams? Although there’s not just one correct answer, IMG Academy’s golf program and college advisement center educates student-athletes on the process to obtain college golf scholarships, which oftentimes lead to the experience needed to succeed on tour. By competing on the GPA, USGA, and AJGA golf circuits, you’re on the right path towards earning those college golf scholarship funds and a higher education at the next level.

It's Never Too Early to Prepare for a Golf Scholarship

There are approximately 150,000 men and 75,000 women competing for golf scholarships in the U.S. It is crucial that you begin preparing for the application process as early as your freshman year. This is when you should become familiar with the NCAA recruiting guidelines and start preparing a list researching the colleges you would like to attend.

Preparation for college golf scholarships should be divided into three equally important categories: grades and entrance exams, golf skills, and application and recruiting. During your junior and senior year, you should begin making unofficial visits to the top colleges on your list. Keep in mind that you can reach out to coaches, but per NCAA rules they cannot reach out or return any messages until it is July 1st and you are a senior.

College Golf Scholarship Equivalency

College golf is an equivalency sport. This means that coaches have some flexibility in the golf scholarships they give out. The coaches are limited by the dollar amount, not the number of scholarships. So, they can give partial scholarships to multiple golfers.

There are many more golfers than there are both spots and scholarships available. If you are not recruited by a 4-year school, there are many quality 2-year schools where you may earn a scholarship, have a great experience, and transfer to a 4-year school.

Timeline for How to Get a Golf Scholarship

Making the jump from your varsity team to the NCAA or NAIA team of your choice may seem unobtainable, but, following the rules and regulations noted below and continuing to play tournaments along the way will certainly assist in the process! Learn more about how to get a golf scholarship below:

Freshmen Year

• NCAA recruiting guidelines: 
  • D1 and D2: questionnaires, camp information, NCAA materials, and non-athletics institution publications only
• Fall Semester:
  • Establish effective time management between sport and school
  • Develop a broad initial college interest list (D1, DII, DIII, NAIA schools)
  • Focus on strong grades – it’s hard to rebound your GPA if the focus wasn’t there freshmen year
• Spring Semester:
  • Reassess college list and research their average GPA, ACT, and SAT scores 
  • Parents should also take time to learn about the acceptance requirements at these schools
  • Finish your first year strong!

Sophomore Year

• NCAA recruiting guidelines:
  • D1 and D2: questionnaires, camp brochures, NCAA materials, and non-athletics recruiting publications only
  • No contact to be made by coaches or players for D1 and D2
  • D3: recruiting materials and phone calls permissible; off-campus, in-person contacts permitted following completion of sophomore year
• Fall Semester:
  • PSAT Test – it’s important that student do their best!
  • Meet your College Advisor and ask any initial college questions
• Spring Semester:
  • Sophomores will be signed up for SAT prep class
  • Set up unofficial visits with colleges of interest
  • Reassess college list – we should have a better idea of your academic and athletic strength (which division you can play)

Junior Year

• NCAA recruiting guidelines:
  • D1: After July 1 following completion of junior year, all forms of private correspondence allowed, including phone calls at the institution’s discretion and off-campus recruiting contacts
  • D2: June 15 after junior year – can receive recruiting materials, telephone calls, and off-campus contact and make official, expense-paid visits; a college may only finance one visit to its campus for a prospective student-athlete
  • D3: contact permissible as stated after sophomore year
• Fall Semester:
  • Identify the level of college play that best suits your skill set
  • Refine your college list – this should have 5-10 realistic schools
    • Ask your Coach and Advisor for their input
    • Parents should be included in this conversation
      • The more proactive parents are, the better
  • All juniors must take the SAT and/or ACT twice (once with writing in their off season)
    • Keep in mind - some schools may also require subject tests
  • Complete online athletic recruiting forms
  • International students should take the TOEFL
  • Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Be sure to send ACT/SAT scores and transcripts
• Spring Semester:
  • All juniors must take the SAT and/or ACT with writing twice (in off-season)
  • Follow up with Advisor to make sure you’re taking the proper steps
    • Continue to refine and edit your college list
  • Take any unofficial visits while class is in session
  • Complete college online athletic recruiting forms 
  • International students should take the TOEFL
  • Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center
    • Be sure to send ACT/SAT scores and transcripts
  • End of year performance and college review with your Coach and College Advisor
    • Coaches, College Advisor, Student, and Parents should all be in agreement to the reality of what schools the student can attend

Senior Year

• NCAA recruiting guidelines:
  • D1: Official visits available after opening day of classes senior year
  • D2: Official visits available after opening day of classes senior year
  • D3: Official visits available after opening day of classes senior year
  • Contact periods, quite periods and dead periods apply via NCAA regulations
• Fall Semester:
  • Students and Parents: Familiarize yourself with college deadlines – some can be as early as mid-October. The majority are the end of the calendar year
  • Work closely with your College Advisor to make sure you’re on track with completing applications
  • Schedule official college visits
  • Review applications, essays, and ask for recommendations
  • Maintain frequent contact with narrowed list of schools
  • Make sure NCAA has all necessary documents if graduating early
  • Starting October 1, you can file for financial aid through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.gov
• Spring Semester:
  • Complete applications to schools with rolling admission
  • Receive acceptance letters and make a final decision!
    • Keep both your Coach and College Advisor informed
  • Send final transcripts and test scores to the NCAA
    • Your College Advisor can help with this
  • Finish the school year strong!
  • Best of luck in college! #IMGFAM

Additional information can be found at www.ncaa.org. Please visit the NCAA website for the most up to date and accurate information.