At what level can I play college golf.

[Mike99]

Looking for advice

I am a junior in high school and am interested in figuring out at what level I can play college golf. I have been playing competetive golf since I was about 12. I have alot of tournament experience as well as playing for my high school golf team. Over this past summer I went to the IJGA to further my game. I am a district qualifier in high school. This past season I had an injury to my elbow but managed a 78 average. As far as tournament finishes go, I have placed well in several. I have a 4th place and 2nd place finish that were national scoreboard ranked. In a very large feild high school conference tournament I place T-9 out of 72 players. My elbow injury kept me from playing the ijgt tournaments I had scheduled. I play to a 4.7 handicap. I am starting to look at colleges but thought this post could help put me in the correct direction.

[apprenti23]

I would say that you can play at just about any D3 or NAIA school... Possibly D2 but there aren't many out there.

[PreppySlapCut]

Probably a mid-level DIII school. You could also go the JUCO route if you were serious about your game and wanted to play at a higher collegiate level.

Also, there is still time. If you get healthy and play well this Spring/Summer, you could do better.

[mrpheebz]

I think you would be surprised at what level you could play. I read a lot of topics about how you can't play DI unless you average 72 or better and thats just not true. If you want to get a big scholarship at a big school then I would say yea. I play on a top 30 DIII team in VA and our best player came out of high school with a 4 handicap and he's a junior now and has the second best career average in school history and won a tournament this year. If you just email coaches they'll let you know what kind of results they're looking for. Two of my friends from high school were both freshman at UVa this year and they had a walk-on tryout for the team and if they broke 150 for two rounds at UVa's home course then the coach would give them a spot.

To make a long story short, just email a bunch of coaches DI, DII, and DIII and they'll let you know what they're looking for.

[mcmski]

Don't forget, a lot of it depends on your grades too!

[LimestoneGolfer1]

I agree with mrpheebz about emailing coaches, I play at a DII school, there are definitely schools that would that would like a guy that averages 78 on their roster, the key is to contact the coaches and trust me there will be some that will be interested in DII for sure

[Clark]

If you have a gpa of 3.0 and can shoot in the 70's Division I... Honestly what college you goto should be a good college that specializes in what major you want to get in. If you want to improve your golf game I'd suggest a college in warm climates... All depends on where your priorities are in perspective to life...

Also... Some colleges have great coaches, that can help you if you were on the team and the free stuff is a plus.

I'm going to a DIII college have a 3.8 gpa and shoot in the low 70's, then after college I'll be pursing Q school...
But I work harder than any one on the college golf team and it shows with a couple trophy wins.

[cpyne]

I say if you're really willing to work for it, try to walk on to a Divison I school. Of course send the coach a couple emails to let him know that you're interested, and you may even get a spot if he really likes you. I chose the JUCO route and now I'm at a D-II. I found it's pretty difficult to make the move from a JUCO to a D-I university as the coaches are more interested in getting a guy for all four years rather than just two (unless you're one of the best, of course) If you want that big college experience, and are willing to work...go the D-I route.

[Mike99]

Thanks for the posts guys, to be honest I am interested in a few D-II schools in my area along with others that are farther away. I'm not the type of kid that feels like if they don't play D-I, they will be greatly dissapointed. I think it would be great to play for a big name school, but I like the D-II route. Thanks again for the posts, I was in need of some opinions. Also if someone could explain JUCO idea that would be great. Thanks.

[mcmski]

[quote name='Mike99' post='2142070' date='Dec 24 2009, 07:49 AM']Also if someone could explain JUCO idea that would be great. Thanks.[/quote]There are quite a few highly competitive Junior College programs. They are usually for players who either have the skills but not the grades to play for a D1 school, or don't quite have the skills for D1 yet but want to play competitive golf. You play there for 2 years and kick a** in the class room and go to a D1 school as a Junior and play there for 2 years.

College of the Canyons near Valencia, Ca for example has a pretty good team. They get hooked up with titlist gear and play TPC Valencia for free.

Not a bad deal for $29 per unit.

[Mike99]

Thanks for giving me some advice, I have since been in contact with a div. 2 team that has a solid program. I think that div. 2 may be the best fit for me. If anybody has any more advice, please share it. Thanks again, Mike.