Women's Golf Recruiting Guidelines

Division I

• Top DI
  • Handicap: Equal to or < 5
  • 18 Hole Average: 78 or under
  • Competes course yards 6000+
  • Competes in National Tournaments (ex. AJGA, FCWT, USGA)
  • Competes in State and Local Tournaments
• Lower DI
  • Handicap: Equal to or < 8
  • 18 Hole Average: 82 or under
  • Competes in National Tournaments (ex. AJGA, FCWT, USGA)
  • Competes in State and Local Tournaments

Division II

• Handicap: Equal to or < 10
• 18 Hole Average: 85 or under
• Competes in State and Local Tournaments
• Preferred Tournaments (AJGA, FCWT, USGA)

***Some DII coaches require DI standards 

Division III

• Handicap: Equal to or < 15
• 18 Hole Average: 95 or under
• Competes in State and Local Tournaments
• Preferred Tournaments (AJGA, FCWT, USGA)

***Some DIII coaches require DI standards 

NAIA

• Top NAIA
  • Handicap: Equal to or < 10
  • 18 Hole Average: 85 or under
  • Competes in State and Local Tournaments
  • Preferred Tournaments (AJGA, FCWT, USGA)
• Lower NAIA
  • Handicap: Equal to or < 15
  • 18 Hole Average: 95 or under
  • Competes in State and Local Tournaments
  • Preferred Tournaments (AJGA, FCWT, USGA)

***Some NAIA coaches require DI standards 

Note: 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. 

Preferred Grades for All Divisions:
3.0 GPA + 24 ACT + 1000 SAT (out of 1600)
(No scores needed for underclassmen) 

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. 

Golf by the Numbers

Note: Division III schools offer merit, academic, and need-based scholarships.