GOLF SCHOLARSHIPS

LOOKING FOR A GOLF SCHOLARSHIP?

COLLEGE GOLF SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE USA?

Have you heard of Tiger Woods, Paul Casey, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, or Michelle Wie? These players and approximately 75% of the professionals on the US PGA Tour played collegiate golf in America. 

In fact, college golf is widely regarded as the best pathway to a professional golf career. 

This is largely because of the top practice facilities, excellent coaching, and intense competition. The best amateurs from around the entire world are gathering each year at different US colleges in hopes to take their game to the professional level. These players compete against one another in practice and competition with some events being held at world-class courses such as Pebble Beach, TPC Sawgrass, Old Waverly, Pinehurst and many more.

With approximately 1200 teams for men and 1200 teams for women, college golf offers opportunities for the best players in Italy and Europe, and for those players that want to continue combining golf with their academic passions. The USA offers a pathway to pursue both academic and athletic endeavors at the same time unlike most universities across the world.

US universities offer a combination of sport and academic scholarships to reward talented golfers and talented students, which enables the athlete to participate in collegiate, intercollegiate matches and national championships while completing their academic progress towards their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. 

Golf Scholarships – When is the best time?

The best time to go to the United States with a golf scholarship is right after graduation from high school or up to 1 year after. There are opportunities for older students too, depending on their situation. Athletes competing in college sports are mostly aged between 18 – 24. Coaches are recruiting far earlier than this, as the allowable contact period starts approximately 2 years before high school graduation. Most coaches recommend players to start their search for US colleges around the age of 14-16. 

Golf scholarships – How good do you have to be?

Athletic golf scholarships can be achieved if you are at the proper level. The average male collegiate golfer is approximately a 0 handicap. The average female collegiate golfer is approximately a 2 handicap. Golfers can be considered for universities at a higher handicap. However, to be considered for a scholarship to one of the top recognizable universities in America an athlete should be competing in the top national tournaments at a younger age with a lower tournament handicap, this will show college coaches that the athlete/player is ready to compete at a high level in the USA.

Coaches will also look at an athlete’s potential, it is a vital aspect, as coaches know from experience that even moderate athletic performance can be boosted immensely with their intensive training methods. A college recruitment coach will look at a sport’s CV, photographs, video, tournament results and our staff’s advice regarding the athlete’s ability.

To find out whether you have what it takes to obtain a golf scholarship and therefore be placed in a college team, please complete our free application form Apply Now, so the Athletes USA Team can evaluate your potential as a possible future college athlete. If the team believes you have a chance, you will be invited to join our program. A sports consultant will go through everything you need to know about the sports scholarship process.

American Golf Facilities

COLLEGE GOLF IN THE USA IS THE DIRECT PATHWAY TO THE PGA TOUR

The PGA Tour, also known as the best professional golf tour in the world, launched in June 2020, a new exciting initiative called the ‘PGA TOUR University Program’.

The PGA TOUR University program grants access onto its development tour, to the Top 15 players from the PGA TOUR University ranking. The ranking system works in conjunction with the World Ranking System (WGRA) granting participants 1-5 membership to the Korn Ferry TOUR and finishers ranked 6-15 membership onto one of the PGA TOUR’s International Tours: PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie TOUR – PGA TOUR Canada or PGA TOUR Series – China.

Prior to the PGA TOUR University Program being launched, there were two ways to secure a PGA TOUR card.

  1. Going through Q-School→ gain Korn Ferry TOUR Status → Finishing in the Top 25 to gain a PGA TOUR card.
  2. Win a Monday qualifier tournament or get a sponsor exemption → win tournament or gain a status membership.

Nevertheless, college golf in the United States is highly competitive and many elite players have often failed to bring their peak game to Q-school and consequently failed to gain a tour card. In previous years this has included players who have been ranked number one in the world amateur rankings.

The new PGA TOUR University Program is based on more consistent performances and promises athletes who have regularly performed well throughout their college career an opportunity to pursue their professional careers after graduating from college. The new system means less pressure on specific tournaments and allows the most consistent and therefore best players to qualify.

At this time, the only college leagues that fall under the PGA TOUR University Program are college golf ones in the United States, making this route an even more attractive option for young athletes who have aspirations to play professional golf.

At Athletes USA, we consistently work with high performing golfers and are happy to answer any questions with regards the PGA TOUR university program or your aspirations to become a college and/or PGA TOUR player. Please feel free to send any inquiry here and let’s discuss your plan together.

GENERAL FACTS - GOLF SCHOLARSHIPS USA

Golf training on a golf scholarships program
If you gain a golf scholarship you will be expected to practice with the team for around 4-6 hours a day 5 times a week. This would consist of golf training and some additional strength and conditioning training. If you feel you are currently lacking strength in muscle and size then don’t worry Athletes USA works with leading sports nutrition brands that supply our athletes with leading sports nutrition products and information on how to reach you potential in the gym.
Golf practice can seem tough to internationals because you may not be used to the hard workouts and training. This hard training often allows golf athletes to reach previously unattained levels of fitness and performance while playing at college. Many college athletes go on to be professional after they leave university.

The golf season
The golf season always begins in spring (Spring Term/ January). If you are looking to join a golf college team you need to be signed to the college team a year before.

Golf National Championships
Women: NAIA- May NCAA- I/II: May
Men: NAIA- May NCAA I/II- May NJCAA – May

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