How important is weather in choosing a college for competitive junior golfers?

[JuniorGolfParent]

I saw a summer camp hosted by a top academic school that specifically states "designed for junior golfers interested in playing on the collegiate level and considering cold-weather schools."

So how important is weather in the college-selection process? Would someone from a year-round golf climate in FL or CA seriously consider attending a cold-weather school?

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

I believe the answer will always depend on that family and student athlete.

If a Div 1 (cold weather) school came calling with a full ride. I'm sure that would open the kid's eyes.

Some of the ones we have talked to travel to warm climates to play tournaments.

[bsb70x7]

My college golf allowed me to play only 9 months a year due to cold weather. At larger tournaments, we were playing against golfers playing all year around. I was at a slight disadvantage. However, most Div I college golf programs now have indoor facilities now for their student athletes, so the disadvantage is now even less.

[chrissdc]

My kid is from CA. and chose a cold weather school to attend.

I learned from my kid that she actually likes rural campuses. Her favorite schools that she visited were generally the rural schools with one exception. U of Hawaii

[iteachgolf]

short answer is yes. A LOT of kids from here have played at “cold weather” schools.

[JuniorGolfParent]

I'm curious as to what they do during the winter months when you can't get outside. Are they able to keep their games as sharp as when they were playing year round before college with just indoor practice?

It looks like the spring tournaments start in Mar, with conference championships in late Apr and NCAA's in May. Do they feel there is enough time to peak by then?

[leezer99]

They travel south.

[iteachgolf]

Look harder. Tournaments have already started. Big10 Match play is here this weekend. Several of those teams have played amateur events down here in the winter that aren’t school related. They take weekend trips to do qualifying and they aren’t indoor. They are hitting from a indoor bay out onto a range, just like I do here in FL. Go look up the number of Big10 players playing high level professional golf. I don’t think it affects them negatively.

[JuniorGolfParent]

Ok so I see they typically travel south for spring tournaments, which makes sense. So what does a typical week look like for them during the season if airplane travel is required? I would think they probably need to get there a day early for a practice round? How disruptive is this from an academic perspective - manageable?

With regards to practice, hitting out of a bay makes sense for the long game, but what about short game and around the greens? Are there good indoor alternatives?

Just trying to get a sense of how much harder it is to be a college golfer in a "cold weather" school vs one in a year-round climate.

[yellowlover519]

I have to believe that any collegiate player at a top D1 does not need to be grinding for hours every day to remain sharp. I would think that the top players can manage their schedules well. Case in point - last year had two very academic schools in the late stages of NCAAs (Duke and Stanford). So I think a person that chooses to go to a school north finds ways to stay sharp, just as junior players that grow up in colder climates...

[wildcatden]

 

 

Iowa Hawkeyes have an indoor complex. https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/2016/6/13/facilities-hoak-family-golf-complex-html.aspx

 

"The performance studio also includes a 3,150 square foot indoor putting and chipping green that can be modified like a natural grass green, effectively recreating outdoor putting surface conditions."

 

I imagine other B1G schools have similar facilities.

[kekoa]

Although not ideal, I could see it a possible advantage if a kid chose a cold weather school for college golf. As stated, schools like U of O have some amazing athletic facilities that allow for practice/conditioning year around. They also have the ability to travel to warmer weather if necessary. Also, if a kid gets used to playing in the cold, wind and rain it won't bother you down the road when faced with inclement conditions.

[iteachgolf]

Indoor shortgame facilities are extremely good.

[Noles]

A break is a good thing for athletes.

[JuniorGolfParent]

Despite the beautiful spring weather, our local area has closed all golf courses and practice facilities during this lockdown, deeming them “non-essential”

 

Forced to make do with indoor practice only, my son today expressed his frustration of not being able to get out on the course while kids in other areas can play and work on their game unrestricted. He feels like he’s “losing strokes to the field,” and mentioned “this must be what it’s like to play college golf at a cold weather school.”

 

Stay safe everyone.

[MB19]

There's certainly nothing wrong with cold weather schools for sports, but the notion of getting used to playing in cold weather helps players against top competition has always rung false with me. Growing up in Michigan, yes, we appreciated warm weather more, and yes, we played all our sports in colder weather than FL, AZ, TX, etc... but do you really ever get used to playing through sleet or your hands stinging on less-than-perfect contact? I pretty much say no to that.

Being able to hit a golf course during the late fall, winter and early spring while most of the rest of the country is shoveling driveways and running the heat in their houses is a wonderful thing. Sure, hitting on a simulator can be a great supplement. A nice indoor facility like Iowa's can level the playing field that much more as well--but it's definitely harder to get a tan in a dome.