Why College Golf?

As one of the most popular sports in the USA, golf is particularly well-supported at American universities. The level can be high (many former college golf players are currently on tour) and the facilities in the United States are incredible. Playing college golf in the US is a great way to continue to develop as a player while getting a university degree at the same time.

On top of everything else, student-athletes learn to work and thrive in a team environment, which alters and shapes them into well-rounded, unselfish, team-oriented, and driven individuals. These qualities will help you be successful, whether on or off the course.

Scholarships

There are about 775 universities (Women) and 1175 universities (Men) that offer a golf program in the USA. Depending on your level you can receive up to a full scholarship that covers; tuition, rent, living expenses, and sometimes even attractive pocket money.

In addition to golf scholarships, an athlete can qualify for academic scholarships (through grades and test scores) and international scholarships. It is possible to get a combination of the different types of scholarships.

The following items can be covered by a scholarship:



Tuition

Costs of tuition and fees can
vary from $10000,- to $65000,-



Training gear

Players will receive practice gear every year. This can include socks, shoes, shorts, joggers, sweatpants, variety of (long sleeve) shirts, rain jackets, coats, hats, and any other accessories related to the sport you play.



Room&Board

Housing can be on campus or in an apartment complex nearby. Meals are eaten in the cafeteria on campus.



Insurance

It is mandatory to have health insurance and some schools require international students to take a school’s policy.



Books

Costs of books can vary from $400,- to $1200,- per year depending on the type of classes you take, if you rent, buy 2nd hand, etc.



Spending money

Some scholarships even exceed the total amount of costs to be used towards flights or out-of-pocket items.

How are practice and season structured?

You will have up to six training sessions per week on the course and numerous weekly strength and endurance workouts. The coaching staff often includes several assistants and athletic coaches. You will get, amongst other things, personalized training gear with your school’s logo and have access to top-class facilities and resources like physiotherapy, weight rooms, and more.

The average team consists of 8-10 golfers of which its five top players compete as a team in tournaments of 54 to 36 holes played over two days against other college teams in the conference (usually 8-10 universities based on similar locations). The team with the lowest average score wins. At the end of the regular season (approximately six tournaments), the top-ranked teams will qualify for the conference tournament in which you can qualify for the National knockout tournament.

Overview of an academic year

The Fall semester (often referred to as off-season) is used to prepare intensively for the coming Spring season. You will able to compete as an individual in tournaments during the first part of the off-season.

Showtime! – Usually, the teams play 5-7 tournaments during the spring semesters. Depending on the results, a team can qualify for the post-season play (Conference, Regionals, and Nationals).

Most universities have their Christmas break from mid-December to mid-January. It is, therefore, possible to go back home and spend quality time with family and friends for almost a month.

Summer break – There is a possibility to stay in The USA and take summer classes or work in camps. Most students decide to go back to their families to enjoy the 2.5 month break to rest and individual preparation for pre-season.

Day in the life of a student-athlete

Sports & academics are 100% coordinated, so you have the opportunity to excel on both the golf course as well as in the classroom.



6:30

Weight/conditioning

Wake up,
get ready for the
weight/conditioning training.



7:45

Shower/Breakfast

Shower and then have breakfast with teammates or friends in one of the dining facilities on the college campus.



8:30

Classes

First classes of the day



11:45

Lunch

Lunch with teammates and friends, again at one of the various food halls available on campus using your prepaid ‘meal plan’ card.



12:30

Classes

Final classes of the day



14:30

Practice

Arrive at the training room to prepare for practice. You may get stretched out or taped by an athletic trainer (physiotherapist)



17:30

Recover/Shower/Dinner

Back to the training room to make sure you take care of yourself physically after practice (ice bath/physical therapy). After taking a shower you will have dinner with teammates and friends.



19:00

Study/Leisure

Time to get some studying or homework done. When other sports teams are in action, a good College athlete supports their fellow athletes! The rest of the evening is your own!

Did you know?

Approximately 70% of the current professionals on the US PGA Tour and Korn Ferry tour played collegiate golf in America.
Annika Sörenstam,Natalie Gulbis,Angela Stanford, Lorena Ochoa, Alison Lee, Danielle Kang, Stacy Lewis,Brittany Lang,Lizette Salas, Gerina Piller, Anna Nordqvist are all former college golf players.
Tiger Woods (Stanford) and Jack Nicklaus (Ohio state) are former college golf players.
Debbie Blount (1958) of Reinhardt University is the oldest golf player at the university level.

Enthousiast geworden?

Zet dan de eerste stap om je mogelijkheden te bespreken.