By Brian Davidson
I would like to take the time this month to remind everyone of the ever greater demands to play college golf. Specialization at earlier ages has caused the scores and handicaps required to play at the next level to continue to fall. In order to compile these Recruiting Guidelines, NCSA tracked hundreds of former NCSA student-athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, polled college coaches across the nation and analyzed college rosters at all levels of competition.
Top Men’s Division I golfers need to be scratch golfers or better with at least a 72 average. They typically have top finishes at several National Tournaments (AJGA, FCWT, USGA). Schools in the lower tier lower their standards on slightly. The typical recruit averages only 1 stroke more!
Women have a handicap of at or below 5 and average a 78 or better. The lower level D I colleges demand average scores of 82 or better and a handicap equal or less than 8.
The standards don’t get any easier looking at Division II, NAIA and III. Division II and NAIA golfers have handicaps at or under 2, and Division III golfers are at or under 3. The 18 hole averages stand at 74 or under and 75 or under. The women at D II and NAIA levels have handicaps less than 10 and averages 85 and lower. The D III level accepts a handicap of 15 or better and a 95 or better average. Coaches still prefer that these athletes compete at AJGA, FCWT, and USGA events.
On average, the NCSA men’s golfers that have moved on to compete at the next level had a handicap of (1), an 18-hole average of (72.5), and a grade point average of (3.37). On average, the NCSA women's golfers that have moved on to compete at the next level had a handicap of (9.6), an 18-hole average of (83.7), and a grade point average of (3.42). These student-athletes also competed in national tournaments such as AJGA, FCWT, and USGA, along with state and local tournaments.
Perhaps most importantly coaches consistently tell us that their recruits must demonstrate a dedicated ability to improve their golf game.
