Men’s Golf Tournaments and Camps

Impact of Coronavirus on College Golf Recruiting: The NCAA has continued its suspension of all in-person recruiting through August 31; Different rules have been approved for the D2 level.  The NCAA also granted an extra year of eligibility to college seniors. The impact of coronavirus on sports is that right now, all recruiting activity is happening online. The timing of when sports will come back is being determined by the state, local and national governing bodies. Here is more information on how coronavirus will impact Golf.  We’re also sharing survey results from 600+ college coaches, in which we asked how they think COVID-19 will impact recruiting.

Golf camps give golfers a chance to show off their skills in different facets of the game and improve their overall ability on the course. This list will help you find men’s golf camps near you that will help you develop your swing, chip and putt.

Related articles on college golf information.

2020 men’s college golf camps

Each year we pull together a list of every college men's golf camp in the country with the date and cost for each camp. However, most college camps scheduled for 2020 have been canceled due to the NCAA’s response to COVID-19. Please check with camp organizers for the most current information on camp availability. Keep checking back because we'll post 2021 summer camps here when details are available.

Types of golf camps

Not all golf camps for high school students are created equal. You should choose a golf camp that fits your current skill level. As well, you should look at different types of golf camps to decide which skills you’d like to develop.

• College golf camps typically include instruction time, such as drills and video analysis, as well as competition time on the school’s course. Often, you’ll be working directly with the college’s coach, which will give you the opportunity to experience how they instruct and possibly learn top techniques for your swing. This can be especially helpful if you’ve already been in contact with a coach at the school.
• Some niche camps specialize in particular aspects, such as short game camps where you can improve your putting and chipping.
• Third party camps are similar to college camps in that they offer breakout sessions for different parts of your game, as well as the opportunity to play on courses. Coaches don’t really scout at camps, so make sure you have set your expectations accordingly; you’ll be focused on developing your skills so you can eventually connect with coaches through your performance and video.

Participating in junior tournaments will allow college coaches to see how you play an entire round.

Be sure to learn as much as you can about the coaching staff. Who will be coaching? What’s their level of experience? Although we hope this list will help you discover men’s golf camps, be sure to do your homework about the camp experience.

How do high school golf tournaments work?

High school golf tournaments are both team and individual based. Typically, these competitions are 9 or 18-hole stroke play, and the best four or five golf scores from each team determine the winner. Junior golf tournaments, on the other hand, are individual based and can be 36 or even 54-hole events. While high school golf is an excellent way for recruits to develop their all-around game and mental toughness, college coaches often overlook high school scores when evaluating student-athletes. Instead, they focus all their recruiting efforts on state and national tournaments that more closely reflect the difficulty level of college golf courses, which range from 6,600 and 7,300 yards. That’s why it’s important for athletes to participate in multiple-day tournaments as much as they can.

How do I choose which golf tournaments to attend?

Individual tournament play is the number one factor college coaches consider when making their roster and scholarship decisions. But with thousands of golf tournaments each year, picking the right ones to attend can be tough. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind:

1. Length of the course. College courses range from 6,600 to 7,300 yards. Therefore, college coaches prioritize a recruit’s golf scores from 36-hole or 52-hole tournaments. When you’re searching for golf tournaments, try to register mostly for multiple-day events. This will factor into your national ranking, as well.
2. Location. Traveling across the country isn’t an option for every family and may not make sense for underclassmen who are still improving their technical skill set. Visit Junior Golf Scoreboard to find competitions in your area or use your state’s golf association to identify quality golf tournaments at an affordable price.    
3. Cost. It’s no secret that golf can be an expensive sport. The best way for families to maximize their spending is to establish relationships with golf coaches before participating in a tournament. Many college coaches attend events with a list of recruits in mind. Emailing them an online profile that includes your basic information, golf scores, swing video and academic information ahead of time is the best way to secure an in-person evaluation at a golf tournament.

Here are the tournaments that college golf coaches care about

Most college coaches recruit from a certain level of golf tournaments each year. To be successful, student-athletes should research the schools on their target list to find out where coaches will be and what results they need to get noticed. As you establish your tournament schedule, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. State Golf Association Championships. College coaches who recruit locally will attend state-wide championships to evaluate the highest ranked players in the state. Some golfers automatically gain entry, but there’s usually an open qualifying process option as well. 
2. Independent Junior Golf Tournaments. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways for student-athletes to improve their national ranking is to attend a multiple-day, independent junior golf tournament. Visit Junior Golf Scoreboard to find competitions in your area.
3. National Golf Tours. Not only does national level competition attract college coaches, but it’s essential in determining how you measure up against highly competitive golfers across the country. All college coaches are familiar with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) and the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT). The biggest downside here is the heavy price tag that comes with being a member and competing in these events.
4. United States Golf Association (USGA) Championships. USGA is home to the most elite amateur golf tournaments in the country. To participate in an event here, you must pass a rigorous qualifying process, which is based on golf scores and handicap requirements.

When evaluating a recruit’s ranking and performance at a tournament, coaches typically analyze what’s called a “tournament score differential.” Basically, they look at the difference between a recruit’s score each day. And by doing this, they gain insight into an athlete’s demeanor and mental toughness during the tournament. For example, did the student-athlete shoot 72 the first day and take the lead, but crumble under the pressure and shoot 82 the second day? Or did they come back relaxed and focused to play even better the second day?

Find men’s golf tournaments and camps near me

Competing in golf tournaments and camps is a great way to nail down the fundamentals, improve your swing and compete in front of college coaches. See a list of golf camps near me.