Already in College Golf? We Can Help You Transfer Too

When most families think of College Golf Drive, they think of high school junior golfers preparing for their first college placement. But there is another group of golfers we help — and they are sitting in college right now, wondering if there is a better fit out there for them.

We help transfer students too.

When Transferring Makes Sense

College golf is a four/five-year journey, and a lot can happen between signing day and graduation. We hear from families in situations like these all the time:

The head coach who recruited your golfer left for another program
The athletic program is reclassifying — moving from NCAA D2 to NAIA, for example — and your golfer wants to stay at an NCAA school
Your golfer is not getting the playing time or development they were promised
The academic program is not the right fit
Personal or family circumstances changed
Your golfer simply grew as a player and outgrew the program they signed with

None of these situations are failures. They are realities of college athletics. And in 2026, transferring is more common and more accepted than ever before — the NCAA Transfer Portal exists precisely to give student-athletes options.

What the NCAA Transfer Portal Rules Actually Mean

If your golfer is currently on a college golf roster and considering a transfer, here is what you need to know.

For NCAA Division I and Division II athletes, the transfer process begins with the Notification of Transfer — your golfer officially notifying their current school that they intend to enter the Transfer Portal. This is the required first step before any other NCAA institution can contact them about transferring. NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.3 specifically prohibits any athletics staff member from contacting a rostered athlete — or people associated with that athlete — without authorization through the notification-of-transfer process.

This is an important protection for your golfer. It means coaches at other programs cannot reach out to them directly until they have officially entered the portal. It also means the process, while simple in concept, requires careful sequencing to stay fully compliant.

The good news: as of 2026, athletes generally have one transfer with immediate eligibility — meaning your golfer can transfer and play right away at the new program without sitting out a year, as long as certain conditions are met.

A Real Example

Recently, a family reached out to College Golf Drive about their son — a freshman biology student at an NCAA D2 program. The family had learned that their institution was considering a reclassification from NCAA Division II to NAIA, and they wanted to ensure their son could continue competing at the NCAA level.

The family had done their research. They came with detailed questions about compliance, confidentiality, scholarship potential, and timeline. Their primary concern was protecting their son’s eligibility and ensuring a smooth transition — academically and athletically.

This is exactly the kind of situation we handle. We know the steps, we know the rules, and we know how to approach this process with the discretion that families in this situation need. The last thing anyone wants is for a current coach to find out prematurely that a student-athlete is exploring options.

Because the NCAA rules primarily restrict the new school’s coaching staff from contacting the athlete — not a third-party advisor like College Golf Drive — we can begin the evaluation and planning process before the athlete has officially entered the portal. We assess the golfer’s profile, identify realistic target programs, and prepare a strategy so that when the time is right to officially enter the portal, everything is already in motion.

Who We Can Help

We assist transfer students in situations including:

Program reclassifications — your school is moving from D2 to NAIA or vice versa
Coach changes — the coach who recruited you left, and the new staff is not the right fit
Playing time issues — you are not getting the opportunity you expected
Academic fit — you need a program with a specific major or academic environment
Personal circumstances — life changed, and so did your priorities
Upward transfers — you proved yourself at a lower division and are ready to move up
International student transfers — navigating the visa and NCAA eligibility implications of a mid-program transfer

What We Do Differently

College Golf Drive is a small, specialized agency. We work exclusively with golfers — not any other sport. When you work with us on a transfer, you work directly with Monica. You get personalized attention, discretion, and the benefit of six years of relationships with coaches across D1, D2, D3, and NAIA programs.

We maintain complete confidentiality during the exploratory phase. We do not contact your current coaching staff — there is no reason to. We focus on building your options quietly and professionally, so that when you are ready to make a move, you have real opportunities waiting.

Pricing for Transfer Students

Our standard service packages apply to transfer students as well. If you are an international student already in the United States who has already navigated the visa process, we offer a reduced rate that reflects your existing familiarity with the system.

Visit our services page for current pricing, or contact us directly to discuss your specific situation.

If You Are Thinking About Transferring

The most important thing you can do right now is not rush. Entering the Transfer Portal has implications — your current school will be notified, and in some cases your scholarship may be affected. Understanding the timeline and the rules before you make any move is critical.

That is what we are here for.

If your situation has changed and you are wondering whether there is a better college golf home for your golfer, reach out to College Golf Drive. We will have an honest conversation about what is realistic, what the process looks like, and how we can help.

Contact College Golf Drive →

Or take our free 2-minute quiz to get a baseline assessment of your golfer’s profile and options.

Monica Simoncini is the founder of College Golf Drive and has helped over 200 student athletes find and transition to college golf programs across NCAA D1, D2, D3, and NAIA divisions — including transfer students navigating mid-program changes.