Frequently Asked Questions

The earlier the better. We recommend starting in 8th or 9th grade. Starting early gives student-athletes time to build their golf game, academic record, and competitive tournament resume before coaches start evaluating recruits.

Most NCAA D1 programs look for male players with a handicap index of +2 to 3 and females with a handicap of 0 to 5. Scoring averages in the low-to-mid 70s for men and mid-to-high 70s for women are typical benchmarks, though this varies by program strength.

D2 programs typically look for players with handicaps of 3–8 (men) and 5–12 (women). D3 and NAIA programs offer even more flexibility, with some programs welcoming players with handicaps up to 15. The key is finding programs that match your specific level.

There are thousands of college golf spots available. NCAA D1 allows 4.5 scholarships per men's team and 6 per women's team. D2 allows 3.6 (men) and 5.4 (women). D3 offers no athletic scholarships but provides strong academic aid. NAIA allows 5.0 per team.

Golf is an equivalency sport, meaning the total scholarship money can be split among multiple players. Unlike head-count sports (like basketball), a golf coach can divide a scholarship to offer partial aid to more players. A $40,000 scholarship could be split as four $10,000 awards.

Yes! Many college programs actively recruit international golfers. International students are subject to the same NCAA eligibility rules and can receive the same scholarship amounts as domestic students. Our International Package helps with visa documentation, language tests, transcript evaluation, and the unique aspects of US admission.

The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is the premier junior golf organization in the US. Playing AJGA events puts you in front of college coaches, builds your national ranking, and demonstrates a commitment to competitive golf. Coaches regularly attend AJGA events to scout recruits.

The Junior Golf Scoreboard (JGS) is a national ranking system for junior golfers based on tournament performance. Many college coaches use JGS rankings to identify recruits and benchmark players. Building a strong JGS ranking should be part of every serious recruit's strategy.

NCAA D1 and D2 coaches can initiate contact with recruits starting September 1 of their junior year (11th grade). However, recruits can contact coaches at any time, and coaches can respond to those messages. Starting communication early — even before junior year — puts you on coaches' radar.

Your first email should include: your graduation year, home state, GPA, ACT/SAT scores (if available), GHIN handicap index, JGS ranking, recent tournament results, academic and athletic goals, and why you're interested in that specific program. Keep it concise — 200 to 300 words — and professional.

Some families navigate recruiting independently, but a specialized service like College Golf Drive provides expert knowledge, a coach network, and structured guidance that saves significant time. Mistakes in the recruiting process — like contacting coaches too late or targeting wrong-fit schools — can cost valuable opportunities.

An unofficial visit is paid for entirely by the student and family. There is no limit on unofficial visits. An official visit is paid for by the university and is limited to 5 total for D1. Official visits can only happen after September 1 of junior year for D1. Both are important steps in the recruiting process.

NCAA D1 requires a minimum core course GPA of 2.3 with a sliding scale based on SAT/ACT scores. D2 requires a minimum 2.2 GPA. All prospective D1 and D2 student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. We strongly recommend targeting a 3.0+ GPA to keep maximum scholarship options open.

The NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly the Clearinghouse) certifies academic and amateur eligibility for prospective D1 and D2 student-athletes. Students should register after their sophomore year in high school to ensure their coursework meets NCAA requirements. Registration is free and can be done at eligibilitycenter.org.

College Golf Drive specializes exclusively in golf. We don't offer multi-sport packages or one-size-fits-all approaches. Monica Simoncini has 10+ years of experience specifically with golf recruiting, a direct network of college golf coaches, and a personal track record of placing 200+ student-athletes in college programs.